Again, INEC warns parties to stick to timelines for primaries

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has for the umpteenth time warned political parties to adhere strictly to the timelines for the conduct of primary elections to nominate candidates for the 2023 general elections.

INEC had in February released the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 general election, directing political parties to conduct their primaries for the nomination of candidates from April 4 to June 3 2022.

Festus Okoye, INEC national commissioner and chairman information and voter education committee in statement on Thursday, reminded political parties that they are left with one month to complete the process.

Okoye reminded political parties that they must submit to the commission, the list of candidates who must have emerged from valid primaries.

“In compliance with section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, all 18 political parties have served the required notices indicating the dates for their conventions, congresses, and primaries for the purpose of nominating candidates for various elective offices as specified in the Constitution and the Electoral Act. Some of the parties have already commenced the process for which the commission has deployed staff to monitor the exercise as required by law.

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“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.

While urging the parties to ensure rancour-free and transparent exercise, the Commission reiterates that the deadline is firm and fixed.

“Nominations for Presidential and National Assembly elections shall be submitted through the INEC web portal from 10th to 17th June 2022 while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly nominations shall be submitted between July 1 and 15, 2022.

“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 read in parts.