The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released timetable for conduct of party primaries for Anambra governorship election slated for November 6.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee Festus Okoye, who disclosed this in release, said political parties are to hold primaries for nomination of candidates between 10th June and 1st July 2021.
The commission pointed out that based on the Timetable and Schedule of Activities released, the Anambra State Governorship election will take place on 6th November 2021.
It added that the Commission, as part of its statutory oversight responsibilities, has written to all the political parties that indicated interest in conducting party primaries and sponsoring candidates for the election on their responsibilities and obligations.
According to the release, Political parties seeking to nominate candidates must hold direct or indirect primaries and the aspirant with the highest number of votes at the end of voting shall be declared the winner of the primaries and the aspirant’s name forwarded to the Commission as the candidate of the party.
It stated that for parties that opt for indirect primaries, the list of delegates must be made available to the Commission as well as aspirants at least 7 days before the conduct of primaries.
INEC further warned political parties against nominating unqualified candidates, charging them also to conduct valid rancor- free primaries, as well as avoid acrimonious, opaque and skewed primaries that can lead to avoidable litigation.
‘’To this end, parties must screen their candidates. A political party that submits to the Commission the name of a candidate who does not meet the qualification as stipulated in the law shall be guilty of an offence and may be proceeded against by the Commission,” the statement reads in part.
On the FCT Area Council election, the Commission noted that “in accordance with the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election, the Commission will publish the List and Particulars of nominated candidates in their various Constituencies on 5th June 2021.
“Members of the public are encouraged to check the published List on the Notice Board at any INEC office in the Constituency/Area Council where the candidate intends to contest.
“Any person who has reasonable ground to believe that any information given in the affidavit or any document submitted by a candidate is false may file a suit in Court against such person seeking a declaration that the information contained in the affidavit is false.
“If the Court determines that any of the information contained in the affidavit or any document submitted by that candidate is false, the Court shall issue an order disqualifying the candidate from contesting the election”.
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