2023: INEC Sets June 17 Deadline For Names Of Presidential Candidates, Running Mates
- Non-compliance attracts consequences
- Warns of invalid nominations
BY EDMOND ODOK – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set Friday, June 17, 2022 as deadline for political parties to submit names of their Presidential candidates and running mates.
Similarly, the Electoral umpire says Friday, 15 July, 2022 is the deadline for parties to submit names of their Gubernatorial candidates and running mates.
This is as the Commission says all Presidential and Governorship flag bearers not accompanied by names of their running mates (Vice Presidential and Deputy Governorship candidates) will automatically become invalid.
Accordingly, the Commission warned that the deadlines for political parties to send their nominations before the portal will be shut down are Friday 17 June, 2022 for Presidential, Senatorial and House of Representatives elections, while Friday 15 July, 2022 for Governorship and House of Assembly elections.
To ensure compliance and easy access to information by the parties, the Commission has announced the creation of a Nomination Centre at its headquarters to receive and process nominations submitted by political parties ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Additionally, telephone lines have also been set up to serve as Help Desk for the parties in case of needing any assistance from the Commission.
These latest information by INEC are captured on its official Twitter page with the warning that; “All nominations must be uploaded on/before the deadlines”, adding that; “The portal will automatically shut down at 6.00pm (1800hrs) on Friday 17th June 2022 for national elections and 6.00pm (1800hrs) on Friday 15th July 2022 for State elections.”
The Commission explained that the arrangement now in place is to eliminate physical meeting that might occur among party officials and its personnel.
It further said; “With this innovation, the Commission has eliminated the physical interface between party officials and INEC staff for the purpose of submitting the list of candidates for the 2023 General Election.”
“For emphasis, the Commission wishes to remind Political Parties that only the names of candidates that emerged from democratic primaries as provided by Section 84 of the Electoral Act 2022 shall be submitted to the Commission.
“Similarly, the list of all Presidential and Governorship candidates must be accompanied by the names of their running mates (i.e. Vice Presidential and Deputy Governorship candidates) without which the nomination is invalid,” INEC warned
