NNPP alleges INEC omitted its name on ballot papers in Ogun

The Ogun Chapter of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of deliberately omitting the party’s name from the ballot papers during the presidential and National Assembly elections held on February 25, 2023, in Ogun State.

In a statement issued by the party’s Secretary, Hon. Oluwatioyin Afuye, the party alleged that the omission caused great damage to its chances in the state during the election.

The NNPP, however, called on INEC to correct the omission before the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

In a letter addressed to the Chairman of INEC, the party stated that the absence of its name on the ballot papers was a “systematic disenfranchisement, fundamental error, and noncompliance with the spirit of the provision of section 79 of the Electoral Act, 2022, which provides that ‘The Commission shall keep a register of symbols and name for use at elections’.”

The letter further stated that the omission of the party’s name on the ballot papers misled its supporters, which resulted in the loss of votes for the party.

“We demand that the ballot papers to be used for the Ogun State Governorship/House of Assembly election should not contain such fundamental omission that runs contrary to the aforementioned provisions of the Electoral Act,” the statement read.

It is yet to be seen if INEC will respond to the NNPP’s demands and take action to rectify the omission ahead of the governorship election in the state.