*Warns Stakeholders, Pol. Parties To Stick To Timelines
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has adjusted its timetable for the 2023 general elections with the Presidential and National Assembly elections fixed on Saturday 25th February 2023 while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will be on Saturday 11th March 2023.
The INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this in a press conference shortly after end of national commissioners’ meeting Saturday and about 24 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Electoral Act 2022.
The elections were previously fixed to hold on 18th February 2023 with the Presidential and National Assembly elections, followed by the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections on the 4th of March 2023.
He explained that the adjustment of the election dates became expedient to meet the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, together with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), which form the legal basis for conducting all elections in Nigeria.
The timelines provided by the constitution and the Electoral Act 2023 include the publication of Notice of Election not later than 360 days before the day appointed for holding an election which has now lapsed for the 2023 General Election.
But with this adjustment, the 2023 General Election is now 363 days away, the INEC Chairman affirmed.
Further, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said: “Under the law, there are critical timebound activities from the publication of Notice of Election to the Conduct of Polls which form the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for elections. Some of the critical activities and their dates of implementation are as follows:
i. Publication of Notice of Election – Monday 28th February 2022.
ii. Conduct of party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them – Monday 4th April 2022 to Friday 3rd June 2022.
iii. Submission of nomination forms to INEC via the online portal for Presidential and National Assembly election – 9.00am on Friday 10th June 2022 to 6.00pm on Friday 17th June 2022.
iv. Submission of nomination forms to INEC via the online nomination portal for Governorship and State Assembly elections – 9.00am on Friday 1st July 2022 to 6.00pm on Friday 15th July 2022.
v. Commencement of Campaign by political parties for Presidential and National Assembly election – Wednesday 28th September 2022.
vi. Commencement of Campaign by political parties for Governorship and State Assembly elections – Wednesday 12th October 2022.
vii. Last day of campaign by political parties for Presidential and National Assembly elections – midnight on Thursday 23rd February 2023.
viii. Last day of campaign by political parties for Governorship and State Assembly elections – midnight on Thursday 9th March 2023.
Prof. Yakubu assured that with the coming into force of the Electoral Act 2022, the Commission would work assiduously to conclude and publish new Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections that are consistent with the Act.
He explained that these Regulations and Guidelines as well as Manuals issued by the Commission are all part of the legal regulatory framework for elections, stressing that their timely publication will enable all stakeholders in the electoral process to become conversant with their provisions as they prepare for the 2023 General Election.
He reminded stakeholders, especially the political parties, of their responsibility to adhere strictly to the timelines in this Timetable and Schedule of Activities, as well as all other timelines established by the Commission.
“It is necessary that all political parties comply with the extant legal framework, ensure proper organisation and management of party primaries and the nomination of qualified candidates in order to prevent unnecessary litigations and rancour”, he stressed.
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