The Independent National Electoral Commission has said sixteen political parties have so far indicated their intention to participate in the September 21 Edo state Governorship election as well as their preferred modes and dates of primaries.
According to a statement issued by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, the notice is inline with Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, political parties are required to give the Commission at least 21 days notice before the date fixed for the conduct of their primaries. The last date for such notification lapsed on 4th February 2024.
Olumekun who said the Commission is set to deploy it’s monitoring teams for the primaries,reminded the political parties that Edo State is the Constituency for the election. Therefore, primaries must take place within the State in line with Sections 84(4) and 5(b) of the Electoral Act 2022.
“Parties are urged to avoid unnecessary postponement, arbitrary changes of venues of their primaries, wholesale change of delegates’ list or the submission of names that did not emerge from valid primaries as candidates for the election.
The Commission cautioned against rancorous primaries that lead to the breakdown of law and order often as a result of non-adherence to the provision of their constitutions and guidelines. These are some of the issues that lead to a large number of pre-election litigations.
The schedule (dates and modes) of primaries proposed by the political parties has been uploaded to the Commission’s website and social media platforms for public information, Olumekun added.
