The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said today that the 18 political parties participating in the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State failed to nominate the required number of agents required for the elections.
National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun said in a statement that out it the 74,790 agents required for the election, the parties only nominated 24,148.
Those nominated include 22,689 to serve as polling agents for the parties, 1,249 ward collation agents, 196 Local Government and 14 state collation agents, reports.
The statement said that put together, the 18 political parties nominated 32.3% of the expected number of agents for the election.
However, three political parties (All Progressive Grand Alliance, Boot Party, and National Rescue Movement) did not nominate a single agent at all levels of polling or collation.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is leading the other parties with 3,931 agents, followed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) with 3,892 agents, while the Social Democratic Party (SDP) nominated 2,757 agents.
Also, Acord party has 2,365 agents, Zenith Labour Party has 2,206 agents, while New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), People’s Redemption Party (PRP), and Labour Party (LP) have 2100, 1987 and 1669 agents respectively.
A close study of the list revealed that two parties, Action Alliance (68) and Action Democratic Party (3) only nominated agents in one local government of Akoko South East and Idanre respectively.
The statement reads: “Following the closure of the portal for the upload of polling and collation agents for the Ondo State Governorship election, the Commission is pleased to publish the summary of submissions made by political parties.
“The portal opened on 20th August 2024 and automatically shut down at midnight on Monday 30th September 2024 as indicated on item 9 on the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election released almost a year ago in September 2023.
“In Ondo State, there are 3,933 polling units and 222 collation centres, consisting of 203 ward centres, 18 Local Government centres, and the State collation centre in Akure.
“A political party fielding candidates in the election is expected to nominate 4,155 agents. From the 18 parties participating in the election, the Commission expected a cumulative figure of 74,790 agents.
“However, only 24,148 were uploaded to the portal, made up of 22,689 polling, 1,249 wards, 196 Local Government and 14 State collation agents. Put together, the 18 political parties nominated 32.3% of the expected number of agents.
“Three political parties have no agents at all levels of polling or collation.
“A detailed breakdown of the submissions has been uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information.”
