The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has sparked widespread controphasy for allegedly omitting the Labour Party’s logo from ballot papers in the just concluded Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government election.
Voters and political stakeholders who suspect political bias over the omission shared images on social media showing ballot papers listing only the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with no Labour Party (LP) symbol visible.
One voter questioned the absence of the Labour Party on the ballot box at Ajeromi Ifelodun, prompting speculation about deliberate exclusion.
LASIEC Chairperson, Justice Mobolanle Okikiolu Ighile, maintained that no party was barred from participation in the elections, stating that the Commission recognized only the INEC-approved LP faction led by Dayo Ekong.
She affirmed that LASIEC was operating under court directives and in compliance with party recognition protocol.
However, the Lagos State Labour Party Publicity Secretary, Adeola Onikoyi, accused LASIEC of connivance with APC to compromise the LG polls.
He claimed that Labour Party fielded candidates for the election, but LASIEC deliberately omitted the party’s logo due to fear of the party’s popularity, particularly that of Francis Barthlomew Chima aka OmoBarca.
The Labour Party has vowed to meet LASIEC in court over the issue, seeking cancellation of the election. The party alleges that the omission of its logo from the ballot papers denied voters their right to vote.
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