INEC Sets Six Months Deadline For Political Parties To Submit List Of Candidates

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is considering a six-month deadline for political parties to submit the list of their candidates for forthcoming elections in the country.

The move is in line with amending Nigeria’s Electoral Act 2010.

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman, made this known during a retreat of the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on INEC and Electoral Matters in Abuja on Friday, January 29.

Yakubu said that if the proposed provision scaled through, it would help the commission to prepare better for elections.

“One of the provisions that actually excites me a lot is it will help the commission if there is certainty in the way we prepare for elections; and in the new section, it now commits political parties to conduct their primaries 180 days to the date appointed by the commission for elections.

“This means that parties could conduct their primaries and submit the names of their candidates to the commission at least six months to the general elections.

“This will enormously help us so that by say two months to the election, probably all our materials will be on location so there will be less stress,” he said.