INEC warns political parties: Deadline for primaries remains sacrosanct

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will not extend the deadline issued to political parties to conduct their primaries ahead of the 2023 general election.

The commission made this known via a statement issued and made available to The Star on Thursday by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye.

The statement was titled, ‘Adherence to timelines for the conduct of primaries by political parties’.

INEC reiterated that the deadline, Friday, June 3, 2022, remains fixed, urging political parties in the country to ensure a rancour-free and transparent exercise.

The commission noted that the nominations for presidential and National Assembly elections shall be submitted through the INEC web portal from June 10 to 17, 2022, while governorship and state Houses of Assembly nominations shall be submitted between July 1 and 15, 2022.

The statement read in part: “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 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,” Okoye stated.

The Star