The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has read riticising act to the political parties preparing to nominate candidates for the Edo governorship election that it will not accept any candidate nominated outside the June 27 dealdline window for the conclusion of the party primaries.
Commission’s Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, who handed the warning during a virtual meeting with leaders of political parties on Monday, also cautioned political parties opting for direct primaries to avail the Commission with the comprehensive register of party members to be used as electorate for the election from the Ward to Local Government and State levels.
The Commission further revealed that it has resumed the official countdown for the 14 activities for the Edo poll with the publication of notice at its State offices today Monday.
“Drawing from the guidelines, the Commission has released a policy on how electoral activities can proceed while mitigating risks to all involved in the process. The policy will be a major issue of discussion at this meeting. I am glad to note that a number of political parties have also issued guidelines to their members for the safe conduct of party primaries for the forthcoming Edo and Ondo Governorship elections drawing from the advisory by health authorities.
“You will recall that on February 6, 2020, the Commission released the timetable and schedule of activities for the Edo and Ondo Governorship elections. Today, it is exactly 110 days to the Edo governorship election scheduled for September 19, 2020 and 131 days to the Ondo Governorship election holding on October 10, 2020. The Timetables for the two elections contain 14 activities drawn from the Constitution, the Electoral Act as well as the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines.
