A registered voter in Lagos State has raised concern over the lack of fair representation on the ballot paper during the just concluded Local Government Elections, claiming that only the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were available as options at the polling unit.
Speaking to reporters at one of the polling centres monitored during the exercise, the visibly disappointed voter expressed frustration, stating that he was denied the opportunity to vote for his preferred political party. According to him, when he approached the electoral officers for clarification, he was informed that the only ballot papers available were those for the APC and PDP candidates.
“I came out to vote early because I wanted my voice to count. But to my surprise, they told me the only parties on the ballot were APC and PDP. I couldn’t believe it. My party wasn’t represented at all,” he lamented.
The incident raises questions about the inclusiveness and transparency of the electoral process, especially in a democratic setting where multiple parties are expected to contest freely. Concerns are now mounting that such occurrences could disenfranchise voters and undermine confidence in the electoral system at the grassroots level.
Observers and civil society groups monitoring the polls have called on the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) to provide clarity on the criteria used for party inclusion on the ballot, and to ensure that future elections reflect the full spectrum of registered political parties in line with the principles of fairness and representation.
While the election was largely peaceful in most parts of the state, incidents like this have cast a shadow over its credibility, with some voters questioning whether all parties were given equal access and consideration in the electoral process.
