Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said three political parties have not nominated agents at all levels of polling or collation for the November 16 Ondo governorship election.
LEADEERSHIP Weekend search indicated that the political parties are the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Boot Party (BP) and National Rescue Movement (NRM).
INEC national commissioner and chairman of the information and voter education committee, Sam Olumekun, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday.
According to Olumekun, the 18 political parties participating in the election have nominated only 32.3% of the expected number of agents.
He said from the 18 parties participating in the election, the commission expected a cumulative figure of 74,790 agents but only 24,148 were uploaded to the portal at the close of the nomination on Monday.
The statement said: “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 ward, 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.”
