Anambra  2021: INEC  Gives  Political Parties June 10 To July 1 To Conduct Primaries

The Independent National Electoral Commission,  INEC,  has asked political parties interested in participating in the Anambra State Governorship election holden on sixth November, twenty twenty one to conduct the or primaries for the nomination of candidates between tenth June and first July twenty twenty one.

A statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Barrister Festus Okoye, said the Commission, had written to all the political parties that indicated interest in conducting party primaries and sponsoring candidates for the election on their responsibilities and obligations. 

The obligations include that political parties seeking to nominate candidates must hold direct or indirect primaries and forward name of the aspirant with the highest number of votes at the end of voting to the Commission as the candidate of the Party.  

It said Section four five one and two of the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Political Party primaries requires political parties holding direct primaries to make the list of their members available for inspection by monitors from the Commission as well as their aspirants and party members whereas parties that opt for indirect primaries, the list of delegates must be made available to the Commission as well as aspirants at least seven days before the conduct of primaries. 

The statement further noted that Section nine one and two of the Regulations and Guidelines require political parties to make available to the Commission the list of aspirants seeking nomination to contest for elective offices as well as the list of members of the election committee of the party conducting the primaries.

It enjoined Political parties to conduct valid primaries and avoid acrimonious, opaque and skewed primaries leading to avoidable litigation and that as such, political parties must screen their candidates well warning that any political party that submits the name of a candidate who does not meet the qualification as stipulated in the law shall be guilty of an offence and may be proceeded against by the Commission.