Party primaries: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has a few hours ago, released a press statement on the ongoing political parties primaries, as the Commission asked all the registered parties to take note of the deadline for the conduct of all political party primaries which date has earlier been fixed for October 7th 2018.
The statement issued by the National Commissioner and Chairman Information and voter education committee, Prince Solomon Soyebi warned that all parties primaries must be concluded and names of candidates and particulars submitted on or before the dates already published on the timetable and schedule of activities by INEC.
He said:
“INEC held its usual weekly meeting on 4th October 2018 and considered among other things, the status of political parties primaries to elect candidate into various positions for the 2019 general elections.
Eighty-nine (89) of the ninety-one (91) registered political parties that gave notice their intention to conduct their primaries as required by the Electoral Acts 2010 (as amended) has commenced and are at various stages of the process.
The Commission wishes to restate that the conduct of primaries and resolution of all disputes arriving therefrom must be concluded on or before 7th October 2018 as earlier published in the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2019 general elections.
The last day for the submission of lists for their sponsored candidates (FormCF002) and personal particulars (FormCF001) remains 18th October 2018) for Presidential and National Assembly and 2nd of November for Governorship and state House of Assembly.
The Commission states further that it will only accept the lists of candidates submitted by the National Chairman and National Publicity Secretary.
This statement is coming even when some political parties are yet to conduct their presidential primaries, while others have seen two or more candidates emerging as flag-bearer for the same post in one political party.
Clearly INEC and the Law Court will have a lot to deal with as we go into the 2019 general elections.