The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reminded all political parties that they have one month to complete their primary elections in order to comply with the commission’s general election standards for 2023.
Festus Okoye, an INEC spokesman, stated that the parties must complete their primaries within the specified time frame because the June 3rd deadline is “solid and definite.”
“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, in accordance with section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022.” Some parties have already started the procedure, and the Commission has sent employees to keep an eye on it as required by law.
“Given the importance of the exercise in identifying candidates for various elective positions in the 2023 General Election, political parties should be reminded that their primaries must be completed within one month of today.” The deadline has been extended to Friday, June 3rd, 2022. While asking both sides to avoid acrimony and ensure a transparent process, the Commission reiterates that the deadline is definite and set,’ said Okoye.
“Nominations for Presidential and National Assembly elections shall be submitted through the INEC web site from the 10th to the 17th of June 2022, while nominations for Governorships and State Houses of Assembly shall be submitted between the 1st and 15th of July 2022,” the commission stated.
“Political parties are also reminded that they must submit to the Commission a list of candidates who must have won lawful primary elections.”
