INEC to parties: Sunday’s deadline for primaries sacrosanct

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) warned political parties yesterday that Sunday’s deadline to conduct primaries to pick candidates for the 2019 elections and resolution of disputes remains sacrosanct.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee Solomon Soyebi said “the resolution was made at the end of the commission’s weekly meeting on Thursday in Abuja’’.

He said 89 of the 91 registered political parties that gave notice of their intentions to conduct primaries as required by the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) had commenced and were at various stages of the process.

He added that “INEC wishes to restate that the conduct of primaries and resolution of all disputes arising therefrom must be concluded on or before Oct. 7 as earlier published in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2019 general elections.

“The last day for submission of lists of sponsored candidates (Form CFOO2) and personal particulars (Form CF001) remains Oct. 18 for Presidential and National Assembly and Nov. 2 for Governorship and State Houses of Assembly.”

Soyebi restated that the commission would only accept list of candidates submitted by the National Chairman and the National Secretary.