The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained that the late inclusion of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the ballot for the forthcoming election followed a court order and was not a decision initiated by the electoral umpire.

Deputy Director, Voter Education and Publicity, INEC, Wilfred Ifogah, stated this on Channels Television’s Politics Today, explaining that the Commission had to comply with the court ruling directing it to include the SDP among the parties participating in the election.

Responding to concerns that the late inclusion had placed the SDP at a disadvantage in its campaign, Ifogah said the matter stemmed from internal issues within the party and not from any action by INEC.

“No, that has nothing to do with INEC. That has nothing to do with INEC. So, whatever happens, the court gave their ruling that they should be added,” he said.

“I think they had their own internal party issues. I think that was what actually led to them not being part of it initially. But since the court has said that we should add them, INEC has done the needful by putting them among those participating in the election.”

Ifogah explained that INEC deliberately customised ballot papers and result sheets to contain only parties cleared to participate in the election, saying the measure was aimed at reducing invalid votes and minimising errors during the voting process.

According to him, parties that are not participating in an election sometimes still receive votes, which subsequently become invalid, prompting the Commission to streamline election materials to the number of participating parties.

“For the Commission, we are trying to be, most times, trying to ensure the validity of every vote in terms of vote cast, because at times you find out that parties not participating in an election, most times, do get votes, which makes it invalid and it’s not counted,” Ifogah said.

“So, in order to ensure that we reduce this number of invalid votes on election day, the Commission decided to customise ballot papers and result sheets just for those participating in the election, so that there’s no room for error, trying to help voters during the voting process.”

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He added that limiting the materials to participating parties would also reduce errors and enable officials handling the sensitive materials to focus on the parties contesting the election.

The INEC official, however, disclosed that the Commission had encountered a similar situation during the Ekiti election, where it had to expand the ballot paper to accommodate additional parties following developments that occurred after the initial printing.

He said the SDP case was complicated by the timing of the court judgment, noting that the ruling was delivered on August 22, but INEC still had to obtain and examine a certified true copy before commencing the necessary processes.

“Even when the judgment is given like that, the Commission needs to wait for a certified true copy, then the Commission will go through it,” he said.

Ifogah stressed that producing electoral materials was not an instantaneous process, particularly given the volume of ballot papers required.

“Before the process of deliberating and procurement—because two million, over 2.4 million ballot sheets is not just… it’s not what you can get over the counter or you just go to a business centre to print,” he said.

According to him, the ballot papers had to be properly designed to conform with INEC’s approved templates before being produced, a process which commenced after the Commission completed its review of the court judgment.

He assured that the sensitive materials, including ballot papers and result sheets, would be distributed to the relevant local government areas ahead of the election.

“Hopefully, tomorrow, the sensitive materials, which is the ballot paper and the result sheets, will be distributed to the local government area,” he said.

Addressing concerns over growing criticism and rhetoric surrounding INEC ahead of the highly contested election, Ifogah said the Commission was accustomed to being drawn into controversies during election periods and would continue to prioritise transparency.

“Well, this is not the first time a Commission is dragged into issues like this. So, it comes like that, and we just try… all we try to do is to be open in whatever process we are taking, to manage the process,” he said.

He added that INEC would continue to explain its decisions to stakeholders and the public where necessary, while ensuring their involvement throughout the electoral process.

On concerns over the rising tension ahead of the poll, Ifogah said all stakeholders had been involved in managing the situation, while security agencies had arrangements in place to ensure the election proceeded smoothly.

“That is why all stakeholders have been involved in this process, and also, the security agencies. I think with the arrangements they have on ground, we believe everything will be taken care of,” he said.