The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said on Thursday in Abuja that it would not entertain late submission of candidates’ names for the November 16 governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states.
Mr Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, gave the warning in a statement after the commission’s weekly meeting.
Okoye enjoined the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties participating in the election to strictly comply with the timeline for the states election, recalling that INEC, on May 16, released the revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the polls.
The INEC official reminded political parties that conducted party primaries to choose their governorship candidates, that September 5 was the last day for the conduct of that exercise, while September 9 was the last date for the submission of nominated candidates.
“We enjoin all political parties participating in the election to strictly comply with the timelines earlier released by the commission and will not entertain any late submission under any circumstances,” he warned.
Okoye said that INEC would receive the nominations at its Media Centre, INEC Headquarters, Maitama, adding that all nominations must be received latest by 6 p.m. on September 9.
“All political parties that conducted party primaries should submit to the commission on or before September 8, the names of their Liaison Officers, who must be introduced through a letter jointly signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary of the party.
“INEC shall publish the names and votes scored by all candidates that participated in the party primaries monitored by our officials in the two states,” he added.
