Ondo Labour Party challenges INEC over omission of logo on ballot paper

The Ondo State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has said that the party will pursue the omission of the party’s name and logo on the ballot papers for the February 25, National Assembly election in the state to logical conclusions.

This was contained in a statement issued and signed by the State Coordinator of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, Abiodun Ambode, who expressed surprise over the omission by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Ambode said the party discovered that the party’s name and logo are missing when the electoral materials sent to various wards were delivered and complaints were raised by the party.

He frowned over the exclusion of the party’s logo on the ballot papers for the last National Assembly elections in the Ondo Central Senatorial District and five federal constituencies elections.

According to him, it was discovered that LP logo is missing for the Senatorial and House of Representatives for Akoko South West/Akoko South East, Ondo East/Ondo West, Akure North/Akure South, Okitipupa/Irele and Ese-Odo/Ilaje.

He disclosed that “the petitions which were filed on the 17th March 2023 on behalf of the party and its respective candidates by a team of lawyers led by Chief Olusola Ebiseni at the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal holden at Akure, had the INEC, APC and its candidates declared winners by the Commission as Respondents.

“The party ahead of the preparation for the election nominated and submitted the names of its respective candidates through a letter dated 27th October 2022 and acknowledged by the Commission.

“The Commission which however flagrantly and unlawfully excluded the party’s symbol on the ballot papers used for the elections contrary to the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act 2022.”

Ambode while speaking on the sole ground of the party’s petition said “the election was invalid by reason of corrupt practices or non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022”.

The petitioners consequently prayed “that it may be determined that the elections held on the 25th February 2023 wherein the second Petitioner, though sponsored by the first Petitioner for the election but unlawfully excluded by the first Respondent is invalid and unlawful.

“An order setting aside the elections and order mandating the first Respondent to conduct a fresh election in full compliance with the constitution and the Electoral Act wherein the second Petitioner shall be allowed to participate as the candidate of the first petitioner in the fresh elections.”