The New Nigeria Peoples Party has leveled accusations against the Independent National Electoral Commission, alleging the restriction of its polling agents from participating in the Ebonyi South by-election.

In an interview with journalists on Saturday, a prominent member of the party, Nwaeze Onu, highlighted the party’s grievances, stating, “We do not have a single agent in all polling units across the senatorial district.”

Onu explained that despite the party’s efforts to upload its agent list on the INEC system for accreditation and distribution of identification materials, they encountered obstacles. 

He recounted how the state NNPP chairman remained at the INEC office in Abakaliki until 9 p.m. on Friday, only to be informed that no identification card was available for the party.

Expressing frustration over the situation, Onu emphasized that the NNPP had been disenfranchised from participating in the election. 

He asserted that they would continue to protest the development, emphasizing that being prevented from participating in an election constitutes a violation of the electoral act.

In response, Christian Elekwa, the state INEC Head of Voter Education and Publicity Department, refuted the allegations, stating, “The uploading of party agents’ list was not done in the states; it was done at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.” 

He suggested that the NNPP should have monitored the accreditation of its party agents in Abuja, where such lists were sent to the states.