By Saidu Idris
365Daily – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has notified political parties that the deadline for the conduct of primaries cannot be extended.
The last day for primaries, the election umpire said in a statement signed by Mr. Festus Okoye, the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, on Thursday, May 5, 2022, is “firm and fixed”.
It has been slated for Friday, June 3.
It, therefore, directed all political parties to.conclude their primaries within one month.
INEC noted that all the 18 political parties have served the required notices indicating the dates for their conventions, congresses, and primaries for the purpose of nominating candidates for various elective offices.
It stated: “In compliance with Section 82 (1) of the Electoral Act 2022, all 18 political parties have served the required notices indicating the dates of their conventions, congresses and primaries, for the purpose of nominating candidates for various elective offices as specified in the constitution and the Electoral Act. Some of the parties have already co.menced the process for which the commission has deployed staff to monitor the exercise as required by law.
“Given the importance of the exercise to the emergence of candidates for the various elective positions for the 2023, it is imperative to remind political parties that they have one month from today to conclude their primaries. The deadline remains Friday, 3rd June, 2022. While urging the parties to ensure rancour-free and transparent eclxercise, the commission reiterates that the deadline is firm and fixed.”
It added that nominations for presidential and National Assembly elections should be submitted to the INEC web portal from 10th to 17th June, 2022, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly nominations shall be suited between 1st and 15th July, 2022.