In terms of gender distribution, as contained in the statement, 3,875 candidates are male, made up of 35 for Presidential and Vice Presidential, 1,008 for Senate and 2,832 for House of Representatives whereas 381 females comprising 1 for Presidential, 92 for Senate, and 288 for House of Representatives are contesting
By Princess-Ekwi Ajide, Abuja
Only one woman’s name appeared as Presidential candidate in the published list of candidates for the 2023 general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Out of the 36 candidates making up the Presidential Candidates and their vice in the election, only 44 years old Ojei, Princess Chichi, of APM is a female in the list.
A statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Barrister Festus Okoye, noted that a total of 4,223 candidates are contesting for 469 National Assembly seats.
In terms of gender distribution, as contained in the statement, 3,875 candidates are male, made up of 35 for Presidential and Vice Presidential, 1,008 for Senate and 2,832 for House of Representatives whereas 381 females comprising 1 for Presidential, 92 for Senate, and 288 for House of Representatives are contesting.
The statement adds that 11 Persons with Disability (PWDs) are also in the race.
It, however, noted that not all the political parties that conducted primaries in all the constituencies, submitted the particulars of candidates that emerged from valid primaries or substituted their candidates after fresh primaries within 14 days as provided in section 33 of the Electoral Act.
This failure it stated has led to numerous litigations, some of which are ongoing where the Commission was served with Court orders by aggrieved aspirants or candidates before the publication of the list.
The Commission appealed to all political parties to channel any observations on the list of candidates to it adding that such complaints must be signed by the National Chairman and Secretary of the political party and supported with an affidavit as provided in section 32(2) of the Electoral Act 2022.
