Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed 16 political parties have notified it of their dates to conduct party primaries ahead of September Edo State governorship election.
INEC, in the timetable and schedule of activities for the Edo State off-cycle governorship election released earlier, directed the participating political parties to conduct primaries between February 1 to 24, 2024.
It said by virtue of Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, political parties are required to give the commission at least 21 days’ notice before the date fixed for the conduct of their primaries, stressing that the last date for such notification lapsed on February 4, 2024.
In a statement by Sam Olumekun, national commissioner and chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, the commission noted it will fully deploy monitoring team to ensure the exercise takes place in the state among other things.
It specifically warned the parties to avoid unnecessary postponement, arbitrary changes of venues of their primaries, wholesale change of delegates’ list or the submission of names that did not emerge from valid primaries as candidates for the election.
The electoral umpire also cautioned the participating parties to avoid rancorous primaries that lead to the breakdown of law and order often as a result of non-adherence to the provision of their constitutions and guidelines.
“Sixteen political parties have notified the commission of their intention to participate in the election as well as their preferred modes and dates of primaries. As the commission is set to deploy its monitoring teams, political parties are hereby reminded that Edo State is the constituency for the election.
“Therefore, primaries must take place within the state in line with Sections 84(4) and 5(b) of the Electoral Act 2022. Parties are urged to avoid unnecessary postponement, arbitrary changes of venues of their primaries, wholesale change of delegates’ list or the submission of names that did not emerge from valid primaries as candidates for the election.”
“They should also avoid rancorous primaries that lead to the breakdown of law and order often as a result of non-adherence to the provision of their constitutions and guidelines. These are some of the issues that lead to a large number of pre-election litigations.
“The schedule (dates and modes) of primaries proposed by the political parties has bee.