INEC Chairman, Prof. Yakubu
2023: INEC to release final list of presidential, governorship candidates, from Sept. 20
Ahead of the 2023 General Elections across the country, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed September 20 and October 4, as dates for publication of names of cleared Presidential and governorship candidates, respectively, of political parties to contest the polls.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, disclosing this at a meeting organised by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) which held with the theme; “Conducting Nigeria’s 2023 Elections in Volatile Security Environment,” in Abuja, Thursday.
Prof. Yakubu further disclosed that while the final list of the presidential candidates will be out on September 20, while that of governorship hopefuls will be released on October 4.
Yakubu who further gave a breakdown of activities leading up to the conduct of the 2023 elections, advised political parties and their candidates to focus on issue-based campaigns, while also disclosing that his commission will collaborate with security agencies to ensure a peaceful election.
Yakubu said that the publication of the final list was in line with Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022; as well as the Timetable and Schedule of Activities released by the commission.
“This will be followed on October 4 by the publication of the final list of candidates for state elections (Governorship and State Houses of Assembly).
”Campaign in public by political parties will officially commence on Sept. 28 as provided for by Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022.
”As campaigns commence, we appeal to all political parties and candidates to focus on issue-based campaigns.
“This is the best way to complement our efforts to ensure transparent elections in which only the votes cast by citizens determine the winner,” he said.
INEC Chairman added that activities for the 2023 General Elections would enter critical stages this month from the next 19 days onward.
“The commission welcomes this initiative…As Co-Chairman of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES); there is no doubt that the security agencies also welcome ideas and citizens’ support towards peaceful elections,” he said.
Also speaking, the Director, CDD, Ms Idayat Hassan, said that the meeting is being held against the background of security challenges plaguing Nigeria.
Specifically, Hassan said the idea was to start talking about how to de-escalate the tension and how to secure the environment; such that INEC would be able to assess all parts of the country to conduct peaceful and legitimate elections come 2023.
”I think one for this election, the security of election materials; the security of personnel, the security of voters are in context; there is actually problem in INEC assessing all areas.
“We should note that this is not just an INEC problem. This is a stakeholder’s problem, insecurity is already prevailing.
“The challenge we are having is how to do we conduct election against the background of this prevailing insecurity? It will behold on the federal government and other stakeholders to come in.”
