The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has advised political parties and their candidates to adhere to electoral timetable on commencement of election campaigns ahead of the 2019 general elections. The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, gave the advice at the Workshop for election professionals from the Commonwealth Africa Region on Monday in Abuja.
Yakubu reminded political parties and candidates that the end of primaries did not mean the immediate commencement of campaigns. “Section 99(1) prohibits campaigns by political parties earlier than 90 days before polling day.
“Therefore, going by the provisions of the Electoral Act and the Timetable and Schedule of Activities issued by the Commission, campaign for Presidential and National Assembly elections will commence on Nov. 18. “Campaign for Governorship and State Assembly elections begin on Dec. 1. “I call upon political parties and candidates to strictly adhere to these dates,’’ he said Yakubu said that with the conclusion of primaries by political parties yesterday, the next activity was the commencement of the process of nomination of candidates to the commission. He reminded political parties that the dates for the submission of list of candidates (Form CFOO2) and their personal particulars (Forms C1001) for presidential and National Assembly elections were from Oct 10 to Oct.18. Yakubu added that the date for the governorship and State Assembly elections was Oct. 22 and Nov. 2. “The commission will receive the submission from political parties at Aso Hall of the International Conference Centre, Abuja, from 9.a.m to 4.p.m. daily. “Although we have communicated these dates to all political parties, let me reiterate that there will be no extension of time. “Similarly, in making submissions to the commission, the covering letters as well as the list of candidates must be duly signed by the National Chairmen and National Secretaries of political patties in line with the commission’s Guidelines.’’
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