Victor EzejaAs political parties embark on conducting primaries, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reminded them to adhere to the deadline of June 3, 2022, for completion of the exercise.
The commission said this is to ensure that they maintain the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election released on 26th February 2022 to guide the activities of political parties participating in the electoral exercise in line with provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
INEC said the timetable provides for parties to conduct their primaries for the nomination of candidates from 4th April to 3rd June 2022, insisting that the date remains sacrosanct.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAccording to a statement released on Thursday by Festus Okoye, National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC, all the 18 political parties participating in the election have in compliance with section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, served the required notices to the commission, indicating the dates for their conventions, congresses, and primaries for the nomination of candidates, adding that it has also deployed staff to monitor the ones that have held.
“Given the importance of the exercise to the emergence of candidates for the various elective positions for the 2023 General Election, it is imperative to remind political parties that they have one month from today to conclude their primaries. The deadline remains Friday 3rd June 2022,” INEC stated.
It urged the parties to ensure a rancour-free and transparent exercise, adding that “the deadline is firm and fixed.”
It further directed political parties to submit names of nominated candidates for various positions after the primaries through the commission’s “web portal from 10th to 17th June 2022, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly nominations shall be submitted between 1st and 15th July 2022.
“Political parties are further reminded that they must submit to the Commission the list of candidates who must have emerged from valid primaries.
“The Commission will continue to work with political parties to ensure fidelity to the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the timelines for all the activities contained in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election,” the statement added.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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