The Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday insisted that political party’s primaries from which candidates to various positions would emerge must be concluded by June 3.
The commission in a press statement titled “ADHERENCE TO TIMELINES FOR THE CONDUCT OF PRIMARIES BY POLITICAL PARTIES”, reminded political parties that its earlier scheduled timetable for activities of the 2023 general election had not changed, stating further that parties would have one month from today to conclude their 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.
The statement which was signed by Festus Okoye, National Commissioner/Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, stated “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.
He said: “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, June 3, 2022. While urging the parties to ensure rancour-free and transparent exercise, the Commission reiterates that the deadline is firm and fixed.
Olusola Bello