Janet Samuel, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) has disclosed that it would not extend the timeline for the nomination of candidates for the political parties seeking for participation in the September elections
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu made this known at the first regular quarterly consultative meeting with political parties on Tuesday at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Professor Yakubu disclosed that as at today, only six political parties have so far filed their nominations out of 18 political parties.
He said; “Already, party primaries for the Edo State Governorship election have been concluded. By the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election, political parties have 20 days to upload the list and personal particulars of their candidates to our dedicated portal.
According to him, “We have trained party Liaison Officers and established a Help Desk for political parties. The portal opened on 4th March 2024 and will automatically shut down at 6pm on Saturday 24thMarch 2024.
Worried that, “Two weeks later, only six parties have uploaded their nominations to the portal. We
He urged the parties to keep to the schedule of activities and avoid last minute rush that may undermine thier ability to successfully nominate their candidates.
Prof. Yakubu warned that, “There will be no extension of time beyond the deadline already published in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election, to enable us publish the personal particulars of candidates ,
He said for the Ondo State Governorship election, party primaries begin in the next two weeks on 6th April 2024 and ends three weeks later on 27thApril 2024.
The INEC chairman added that, “Similarly, political parties should avoid acrimonious primaries. Increasingly, the conduct of parallel primaries and the emergence of multiple candidates is a frequent occurrence. So too is the tendency to grant waivers to candidates who were a few days earlier card-carrying members of other political parties and nominating such persons to the Commission as their candidates for election.
Speaking, the National Chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Alh, Yusuf Dantalle pledged their readiness to ensure conducive atmosphere for the conduct of elections in the country.
Dantalle promised to liase with the national assembly to amend the Electoral Act and propose constitutional changes to review glaring irregularities in the last election for a better future elections in the country.
“This leadership of IPAC will live up to its mandate to ensure an environment conducive for the conduct of successful elections. Accordingly, IPAC will set up a Constitution and Electoral Act Amendments Committee to review glaring irregularities in recent elections and make proposals to the National Assembly in its ongoing Constitution and Electoral Act amendments.”
