Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has restated that there would be no review of the timeline for primaries of political parties.
Speaking at the second quarterly meeting of INEC with political parties in the country, Professor Yakubu, reminded the parties that the period earmarked for the conduct of party primaries commenced on 4th April 2022 and will end on 3rd June 2022.
He disclosed that all 18 political parties have forwarded the schedules of their primaries to the Commission and some have commenced the process of choosing their candidates by conducting Ward and Local Government congresses.
The INEC boss urged all relevant stakeholders to work to ensure fidelity to the timelines in conducting transparent and democratic primaries for the purpose of electing candidates for the 1,491 constituencies for which elections will be held on 25th February and 11th March 2023.
Eighteen registered political parties under the auspices of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) had sought adjustment to the timetable for the 2023 general elections.
IPAC National Chairman, Yabagi Yusuf Sani, who read the position of the political parties at the meeting, said in making the request for extension in the INEC stipulated timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 general elections, they were not unmindful of the provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act with respect to timelines in the electoral process.
He however stated that IPAC is of the considered view that their request will not, in any way, be tantamount to an infringement or, a breach of any extant laws and provisions.
(THE NATION)
