Edo Election: Stick To Timetable INEC Tells Political Parties
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has urged political parties to ensure strict compilance with the timelines in the forthcoming off-cycle Edo State Governorship election,
According to the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election, the deadline for the conduct of primaries by political parties expired on 24th February 2024 while the next activity is the submission of nomination forms by political parties via the dedicated online portal.
A statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee,Sam Olumekun, said the Commission has earmarked a period of 20 days for Political parties to upload the Personal Particulars (Form EC9) and Names/List of Nominated candidates (Form EC9B) of their candidates to the portal which will open at 9.00am on Monday 4th March 2024 and automatically shut down at 6.00pm on Sunday 24th March 2024.
He said the access code to the portal is available for collection by the National Chairmen of political parties.
Olumekun said, in order to assist political parties ensure seamless nominations, the Commission is organising a refresher training for two Liason Officers per party.
The training, holding at the Media Centre at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja commenced on Friday 1st March 2024 and will end on Monday 4th March 2024.
He said, the Media Centre will also serve as the Help Desk during the period of nomination of candidates in case any political party needs assistance.
The Commission drew the attention of Political parties that 20 days are enough to upload the nomination forms of only two candidates per party (Governorship candidate and running mate) and as such, there will be no reason to request for extention of time as none will be granted beyond Sunday 24th March 2024 which is the stipulated date.
