Edo guber: INEC warns parties, rules out extension for candidates’ nomination

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned the registered political parties participating in the September governorship election in Edo State to work within the timeline for the nomination of candidates, saying it would not grant any extension.

INEC national commissioner and chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Sam Olumekun, noted this yesterday in a statement in Abuja.

He stated that as provided by the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the forthcoming off-cycle Edo State governorship election, the deadline for the conduct of primaries by political parties expired on February 24, 2024.

According to him, the next activity is the submission of nomination forms by political parties via the dedicated online portal.

He stated that the parties had from March 4 to 6pm of March 24, 2024 to file their nominations.

“The commission has earmarked a period of 20 days for political parties to upload the personal particulars (Form EC9) and names/list of nominated candidates (Form EC9B) of their candidates to the portal, which will open at 9.00am on March 4, 2024 and automatically shut down at 6pm on Sunday, March 24 2024. Access code to the portal will be available for collection by the national chairman of political parties from today.

“The commission wishes to draw the attention of political parties that 20 days are enough to upload the nomination forms of only two candidates per party (governorship candidate and running mate). Therefore, there is no reason to request for extension of time and none will be granted beyond March 24, 2024,” Olumekun said.