*Set to fine political parties that field unqualified candidates
By Ezeocha Nzeh
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed February 26 as date to conduct six bye -elections in the country.
This is even as the commission has disclosed that Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) for all new registrants and those that requested transfers, as we’ll as replacement of damaged cards in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been printed and are ready for collection, ahead of the February 12 FCT council polls
A statement issued by INEC national commissioner in charge of I formation and Voter Education Committee, (IVEC), Festus Okoye, stated that the bye elections dates came following the declaration of vacancies by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Speakers of some State Houses of Assembly
Festus Okoye noted that , the Commission took the decisions after its regular weekly meeting held on Thursday, January 13 and an extraordinary meeting held on Friday, January 14, at which it reviewed preparations for the Area Council elections in the FCT scheduled for Saturday, February 12, 2022 and other outstanding elections for the year.
The statement stated further that 475 candidates sponsored by all 18 registered political parties are vying for 68 constituencies involving six Area Council Chairmanship and 62 Ccouncillorship positions in the FCT Area Council elections. The Commission urged citizens in the FCT who applied for new registration, transfers and replacement of their PVCs to collect them immediately and avoid the last-minute rush as experienced in the past.
Okoye listed the outstanding six bye-elections as Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency, Ondo State; Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency, Plateau State; Pankshin South State Constituency, Plateau State; Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, Cross River State; Akpabuyo State Constituency, Cross River State; and Ngor-Okpala State Constituency, Imo State.
The National Commissioner noted that some of the vacancies arose due to the death of previous occupants, substantial disruption of the electoral process and fulfilment of constitutional and legal requirements in the electoral process.
“The Commission considered the issues that led to the vacancies and the rescheduling of some of the elections as well as the security situation in some of the States. The Commission decided to combine the Ekiti East 1 State Constituency election with the Governorship election in Ekiti, which will hold on June 18, 2022 (and) is consulting with security agencies and the critical stakeholders relating to the vacancy in Shinkafi State Constituency of Zamfara State, while the Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly has not declared a vacancy concerning Giwa State Constituency of Kaduna State.”
He stated further thatthe official notification for the elections will be published on Monday, January 24, 2022, adding that Political Parties are expected to conduct their primaries, including resolution of disputes arising from the primaries between 26th January and 5th February 2022, while the last day for submission of list of nominated candidates is at 6pm on the February 9, 2022.
In another development, the commission has warned political parties to ensure the conduct of credible primary elections to pick their candidates for future elections.
INEC affirmed that political parties fielding candidates for the bye-elections must comply with the activities and timelines set out in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the conduct of the bye-election and conduct transparent and valid direct or indirect primaries in accordance with the dictates of sections 85 and 87 of the Electoral Act 2010 [As amended].
It warned that “political parties that present the name of a candidate that does not meet the qualifications stipulated in the Constitution and the Electoral Act to the Commission shall be guilty of an offence and on conviction, liable to a maximum fine of N500,000.00.”
