Elections: Respect Chosen Dates For Ekiti, Osun Primaries – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission has advised political parties to respect  chosen dates for the Ekiti, Osun States governorship election primaries based on the commission’s timetable and schedule of activities.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said this at the commission’s first quarterly meeting with political parties for 2022.

Yakubu, at the meeting held on Tuesday in Abuja, also advised party leaders to conduct transparent primaries for the two states elections.

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He said that already, many parties had rescheduled their primaries several times, while INEC had earmarked a period of three weeks and four days (i.e. 25 days) for the conduct of the Ekiti State governorship primaries.

He said: “For Ekiti, virtually all political parties have decided to hold their primaries in the last four days (January 26 to January 29).

“In fact, seven political parties have chosen the last day for their primaries.

“Similarly, no party has so far submitted its list of aspirants, the composition of its electoral panel or the register of members or list of delegates, depending on the chosen mode for electing its candidates.

“As at yesterday, only one party has indicated the venue for its primaries.

“I urge you all to do so immediately to enable us to work out the detailed plans for monitoring the primaries.

“All primaries for electing candidates must take place in the constituency where election will hold as required by law.

“In the cases of Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, any primaries conducted outside the two states will not be monitored by the commission and their outcomes will not be accepted.