Crisis in Ondo over counting of ballot papers

Yinka Oladoyinbo, Akure - 14.03.2008

Counting of ballot papers used for the April 14, governorship election in Ondo State on Thursday led to a crisis between supporters of the Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Timely intervention of the chairman of the election petition tribunal, Justice Garba Nabaruma, saved what could have been a free for all among supporters of the two parties.

The tribunal had, on Wednesday, ordered that the used and unused ballot papers for the election already in its custody be recounted.

According to the order, the ballot papers were to be recounted on Thursday and Friday, while the report of the exercise is expected to be submitted before the tribunal on Saturday.

But the exercise was disrupted following the invasion of court premises of the tribunal sitting by loyalists of the political parties.

The first cause of the controversy was the modality to be used in the recount of the papers, as the two parties disagreed over which one to adopt.

Supporters of the LP insisted that the votes must be sorted, while the PDP disagreed, arguing that sorting was not part of the ruling given by the tribunal.

As the controversy ensued, a police inspector was nearly lynched by party supporters, who accused him of using handset to take their photograph.