Bayelsa, Kogi States Handed Time Table For Gubernatorial Polls, As INEC Seems Set
The Oasis Reporters
July 2, 2019
INEC, Nigeria’s electoral body has issued a timetable and guidelines for the upcoming Bayelsa and Kogi governorship elections scheduled to hold simultaneously in the two States on November 16
The Independent National Electoral Commission chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the commission has released the timetable and schedule of activities for the elections while speaking in Abuja at a meeting with political parties to review plans for the 2019 general elections which will see party primaries holding from August 18 to September 5, adding that the Commission expects strict compliance by all parties that wish to nominate candidates for the elections. No nomination arising from primaries conducted after the deadline will be accepted by the Commission.
Yakubu said so far only three political parties have given notices indicating the dates for their primaries for both Bayelsa and Kogi Governorship elections.
“The conduct of primaries and nomination of candidates must be transparent and democratic in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 87 of the Electoral Act as well as our regulations and guidelines,” he said.
“The Commission once again reminds party leaders to do the needful. In doing so, you should indicate not only the dates but also venues and time for the primaries.
“I urge you to avoid persistent rescheduling of your primaries or late minute change of venue which sometimes disenfranchise your members and make effective monitoring by the Commission difficult.
“Where political parties opt for direct primaries, there should be proper register of members otherwise it will amount to conducting an election without the voters’ register.”
It will be recalled that Zamfara State governorship election was nullified because electoral guidelines were not strictly complied with by the ruling APC party, and victory was thus awarded to the opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP .
