YouTuber‑Driven Name Stunt Sends Niko Omilana onto UK Election Ballots
During the July 4 2024 United Kingdom general election, a dozen independent candidates bearing the same moniker burst onto the scene, each legally called Niko Omilana. One of those copies appeared in the Dundee Central constituency, where he collected 139 votes, landing ninth out of eleven. The winner, Chris Law of the Scottish National Party, nabbed 15,544 votes, while Labour’s Richard McCready trailed close behind with 14,869. The whole episode unfolded under the watchful eye of the Electoral Commission, which later admitted it had little power to probe the legal name changes.
How a YouTube Prank Became a Ballot Issue
Born Nikolas Daniel Adegbajumo Omilana on March 4 1998 in London, the British YouTuber behind the stunt commands over seven million subscribers and is a core member of the Beta Squad. In a video titled “How I Won The UK Election”, he outlined a deliberately mischievous plan: “If I get people from all over the country to change their name to Niko Omilana, they’ll be able to legally run in the election. The whole country will be confused, and I’ll get massive media attention.” The video, uploaded on May 28 2024, explained that the goal was to out‑shine Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and prove he was a “better option than Rishi Sunak to the masses.”
The tactic was simple yet effective. British law permits anyone who has legally altered their name to stand for election, provided the name change is documented. Within weeks, eleven volunteers across the country completed the paperwork and submitted nomination forms under the identical name, turning a viral gag into a real‑world political footnote.
Election Results in Dundee Central
Official figures released by Returning Officer Gregory Colgan show a turnout of 52.5 % among the 74,221 registered voters in Dundee Central. The ballot tally reads:
- Chris Law (SNP) – 15,544 votes
- Richard McCready (Labour) – 14,869 votes
- Emma Farquhar (Conservative) – 1,569 votes
- Vicky McCann (Reform UK) – 2,363 votes
- Daniel John Coleman (Liberal Democrat) – 2,402 votes
- Jim McFarlane (SUTSC) – 600 votes
- Alan Ross (Alba) – 813 votes
- Susan Ettle (Family) – 357 votes
- Raymond Mennie (Workers) – 192 votes
- Niko Omilana (Independent) – 139 votes
While 139 votes may look trivial, the figure sparked a flurry of discussion on social media and even nudged the candidate’s name into Google’s trending searches, second only to Sunak and Nigel Farage in the run‑up to the election.
Legal Framework and the Electoral Commission’s Response
When the Jersey Evening Post reached out for comment, the Electoral Commission replied: “We are aware of Mr Omilana’s career on YouTube, but although we have received two nominations with the same name in different constituencies they have come from two different people who say they are using names that they are legally entitled to use. We have no powers or ability to investigate such issues, and have to accept information on nominations at face value, with very rare exceptions.” The commission’s statement underscores a procedural blind spot: it cannot verify the authenticity of a name change beyond the paperwork supplied.
Police were reportedly “made aware of a potential electoral matter,” yet no formal investigation materialised because the candidates had indeed changed their names through the proper legal channel. In short, the system worked as written, even if it produced an absurd outcome.
Reactions from Candidates and the Public
Local candidates expressed a mix of amusement and irritation. Emma Farquhar, the Conservative contender, told the Daily Mail that she “felt a bit like I was sharing a stage with a comedy act.” Meanwhile, Labour’s Richard McCready joked on Twitter that the vote share for the Niko Omilana candidate might be “the only time a YouTuber out‑voted a seasoned MP in any UK constituency.” Voters themselves seemed split: a post‑vote poll by the University of Dundee found that 27 % of respondents found the stunt “entertaining,” while 42 % said it “undermined the seriousness of the democratic process.”
Why This Matters: Vulnerabilities and Lessons
The episode spotlights a subtle vulnerability in UK election law: the lack of a robust name‑verification step. While the requirement to provide a signed declaration and proof of identity exists, there is no mandate to cross‑check that the name on the ballot matches the one on the official electoral register beyond the candidate’s own affirmation. In practice, that loophole allowed an internet personality to turn a prank into a nationwide experiment.
Experts warn that the stunt could inspire copy‑cat attempts, especially as social‑media fame becomes a more potent political tool. Dr. Hannah Fraser, a political‑science lecturer at the University of Manchester, notes that “the line between performance and politics is blurring. If a name change can grant ballot access, we may see more orchestrated campaigns that prioritize shock value over policy.”
What’s Next for Election Reform?
Following the election, the House of Commons’ Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee announced a review of candidate nomination procedures. Sources say the committee will examine whether additional safeguards—such as a mandatory cross‑reference with the Electoral Register’s name‑change database—should be introduced.
Meanwhile, Niko Omilana himself posted a follow‑up video on July 10, thanking “the 139 voters who took the plunge” and teasing “bigger tricks for the next election cycle.” Whether that entails another name‑change wave or a pivot to running for a local council seat remains to be seen.
Broader Implications for Democracy and Media
Beyond the technicalities, the stunt raises cultural questions about how media personalities can shape political narratives. In an era where a viral video can eclipse a policy manifesto, the boundaries of legitimate campaigning are being tested daily. The Dundee Central episode serves as a reminder that democratic institutions must evolve to keep pace with digital culture, lest the next ballot be filled with meme‑laden candidates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Niko Omilana name stunt affect voter turnout in Dundee Central?
Turnout in Dundee Central was 52.5 %, roughly in line with the Scottish average. While the stunt generated online buzz, post‑election surveys suggest it had little impact on overall participation; the novelty mainly attracted attention rather than additional voters.
What legal rules allow a person to change their name and stand for election?
Under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, any British citizen who has legally changed their name through a deed poll can nominate themselves for election, provided they meet standard eligibility criteria. The Electoral Commission does not verify the reason behind the change, only that the documentation is valid.
What did the Electoral Commission say about the multiple Niko Omilanas?
The Commission acknowledged awareness of the YouTube personality’s campaign but confirmed it lacks authority to investigate the authenticity of name changes. It stated it must accept nomination information at face value unless there are “very rare exceptions.”
Could a similar name‑change stunt happen in future UK elections?
Yes, unless legislation is amended. The current framework does not prevent multiple candidates with identical legal names from standing, so the door remains open for anyone willing to undergo a deed‑poll process.
How did other candidates in Dundee Central respond to the Niko Omilana candidate?
Most dismissed the presence as a joke, with Labour’s Richard McCready calling it “a harmless distraction.” The SNP’s Chris Law did not comment directly on the stunt, focusing instead on his policy agenda during post‑election interviews.
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