6,053 House Of Reps Ballot Papers Missing In Ogun

Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji

ABEOKUTA - Ogun state chapter of African Democratic Congress (ADC) Has raised the alarm that a total number of 6,053 House of Representatives ballot papers meant for Imeko-Afon Local Government area of the state has been declared missing.

This was contained in a letter of protest jointly written by the party to the state's Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commissione (INEC), Professor Abdulganiy Raji wherein the ADC demanded explanation from the commission over the missing ballot papers.

In the letter jointly signed by the trio of ADC' House of Reps Candidate, Jimoh Aremu Olaifa, the party's L.G chairman  Hon. Kayode Elegbede and the party's agent, Ben Ibikunle, ADC accused INEC of diverting the missing ballot papers while on transit to an unknown place after it was verified and confirmed completed before leaving Abeokuta, the state capital.

"Records from our agent at the Ogun state INEC office showed that a total of 62,853 ballot papers were released from the state INEC office for Imeko- Afon local government.

"However at the Imeko- Avon INEC office, only 56,790 was physically sighted and counted by our agent, agent of other political parties and security personnel thereby leaving a shortage of 6,053".

"Interestingly, the same number of 62,853 ballot papers released for the Presidential and Senatorial election was physically sighted and counted by all concerned at the INEC office at Imeko-Afon local government.

In the letter copies of which were made available to Independent election observers, civil society groups and the media ADC appeal to Ogun REC to ensure that the missing over 6,000 House of Reps ballot papers are accounted for with immediate effect "in order to safeguard the integrity of this election and nip in the bud, ongoing speculations that can threaten  law and order in the local government area"

Meanwhile, the HOD Voters Education and Publicity of INEC in the state, Mrs. Adenike Tadese said there is no cause for alarm. 

She admitted the shortfall in the missing ballot papers, saying it is not a shady deal, adding that the shortfall was discovered after the carton left the commission's headquarters in Abeokuta. 

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