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From Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has informed the National and State Assembly elections petitions tribunal in Makurdi that it does not include names of candidates on ballot papers but party Logos.
The Commission made this known through its staff, Mr Samuel Achigili who was testifying in court as a result of a subpoena issued on the Benue State Resident Electoral Commissioner at the instance of Petitioners, Aida Nath Ogwuche and the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), who are challenging the declaration of Philip Agbese as the winner of the Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency of Benue State.
Achigili, while answering questions from counsel to Chief Philip Agbese of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Mr Adetunji Oso, stated that the commission deals with candidates through their political parties.
Still under cross examination from Oso, Achigili told the tribunal that it is the Logo of the party that appears on the ballot paper and not the name of the candidate.
He continued that the ballot paper used for the election had the Logo of the PDP, which is the second petitioner in the matter.
Earlier, Mr Achigili tendered, in evidence, the list of candidates for the election.
Justice Amina Aliyu adjourned the matter to Saturday, July 22nd, 2023, for continuation of hearing.
Aida and the PDP are alleging that the election that produced Philip Agbese as winner is invalid on the grounds of non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
Aida Nath and the PDP who are the petitioners also alleged that Aida was excluded from the House of Representatives election for Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency, held on February 25th, 2023, as INEC didn’t comply with the judgement of the Supreme Court that confirmed her as the PDP candidate and not Francis Otta Agbo.
