The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed that 16 political parties have notified the Commission of their intention to participate in the forthcoming Edo governorship election scheduled for September.
The commission also revealed that it has also been notified by the political parties their preferred modes and dates of primaries.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun in a statement issued Thursday recalled that the Commission released the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the Edo State off-cycle Governorship election.
He said among the activities listed for the election is the conduct of primaries by political parties scheduled for 1st – 24th February 2024.
Olumekun noted that by virtue of 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.
He said the last date for such notification lapsed on 4th February 2024.
Olumekun added: “Sixteen (16) political parties have notified the Commission of their intention to participate in the election as well as their preferred modes and dates of primaries.
“As the Commission is set to deploy its monitoring teams, political parties are hereby reminded 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.”.
The commission urged political parties 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 electoral body also urged political parties to avoid 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.
It said these are some of the issues that lead to a large number of pre-election litigations.
The commission said 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.