The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of allegedly preventing its poll workers from attending the Ebonyi South by-election on Saturday.
Nwaeze Onu, a chieftain of the party said this to newsmen on Saturday.
“We do not have a single agent in all polling units across the senatorial district.
“We duly uploaded our agent list on the INEC system for accreditation
and distribution of identification materials to political parties,’ he said.
He said that the state NNPP chairman was at the INEC office in Abakaliki up till 9.pm on Friday but was told that there was no identification card for the party.
“We would not relent but it should be noted that we have been disfranchised from participating in the election.
“We cannot be on the booth when not accredited and will continue protesting this unfortunate development.
“INEC should realise that when someone is stopped from participating in an election, it is a breach of the electoral act,” he said.
Responding, Christian Elekwa, the state INEC Head of Voter Education and Publicity Department, denied the allegation.
“The uploading of party agents list was not done in the states; it was done at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.
“The NNPP should have monitored the accreditation of its party agents in Abuja because that is from where such lists were sent to the states.
“The party should urge its national leadership to sort the issue and not heap blames on INEC,” he said.
According to reports, the seat became vacant after Sen. David Umahi resigned to take up appointment as the Minister of Works.
