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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said that only six of the 18 registered political parties have filed their nominations for the governorship and deputy governorship election in Edo State
The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this at the first regular quarterly consultative meeting with political parties.
He cautioned political parties against granting unnecessary waivers to new entrants and offering them their tickets, saying such development has continued to put a lot of litigation costs on the commission.
This was as it told parties seeking participation in the election that it would not extend the March 24 timeline for the nomination of their candidates.
In his words, “Already, party primaries for the Edo State governorship election have been concluded. By the timetable and schedule of activities for the election, political parties have 20 days to upload the list and personal particulars of their candidates to our dedicated portal.
“We have trained party liaison officers and established a help desk for political parties.
The portal opened on 4th March 2024 and will automatically shut down at 6pm on Saturday 24th March 2024.
“Two weeks later, only six parties have uploaded their nominations to the portal.
"We urge you to keep to our schedule of activities and avoid last minute rush that may undermine your ability to successfully nominate your candidates.
“There will be no extension of time beyond the deadline already published in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election, to enable us to publish the personal particulars of candidates (Form EC9) on 31st March 2024 as required by law.”
He said that for the Ondo State governorship election, party primaries will begin in the next two weeks on April 6, 2024 and end three weeks later on April 27.
He said that so far, 16 of the 19 political parties have indicated interest in participating in the election.
He, therefore, urge "political parties to adhere strictly to your proposed dates and modes of primaries. Frequent changes as we witnessed recently during the Edo primaries are not only disruptive but costly. The Commission cannot mobilize, demobilize and remobilize our officials for the monitoring of party primaries at the convenience of political parties. "
Parties should stick to their proposed dates and modes of primaries for certainty and optimal deployment of resources.”
