By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned all political parties in the country to adhere strictly
to timelines as enshrined in the Electoral Act 2022 or run into trouble.
The warning becomes necesaary as the leaderships of the registered political parties especially APC and PDP continue to dilly-dally over the dates of the conduct of the primary elections to produce their candidates for the 2023 polls.
This is even as the Commission has made it clear that the deadline for the conduct of political parties primary elections to produce their candidates for the 2023 polls remains Friday, June 3, 2022.
It will be recalled that on February 26, 2022, the Commission released the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election.
It provides for parties to conduct their primaries for the nomination of candidates from April 4 to June 3, 2022.
However, a statement made available to journalists on Thursday in Abuja signed by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Barrister Festus Okoye, said:
“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 to nominate candidates for various elective offices as specified in the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act.
He said some of the parties have already commenced the process for which the Commission has deployed staff to monitor the exercise as required by law.
In the statement titled, “Adherence to Timelines for the Conduct of Primaries by Political Parties”, Okoye said given the importance of the exercise to the emergence of candidates for the various elective positions for the 2023 General Election, it was imperative to remind political parties that they have one month from this Thursday 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 1st and 15th July 2022,” he said.
He further reminded them 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,” he added.
