YP releases guidelines ahead Kogi, Bayelsa guber polls

The Youth Party (YP) has released its guidelines for aspirants wishing to contest the November 16, 2019 Kogi and Bayelsa States governorship elections on the platform of the party.

A statement from the party signed by Helen Attah, deputy national publicity secretary of YP, also announced dates for the collection and submission of nomination form as well as conduct of its primaries to select candidates for the elections.

According to YP, the decision of its National Executive Council (NEC) to issue the guidelines falls in line with the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guide

lines on the gubernatorial polls.

“In compliance with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines, the timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of the 2019 governorship primary elections in Kogi and Bayelsa are as follows:

“Sale of forms will commend from July 15 to August 12, 2019. Screening will start from August 14 to August 25, 2019 while appeals will commence from August 26 to 31. The governorship primaries will take place on September 2, while appeals arising from primaries will be heard on September 3, 2019.”

Candidates for the elections, the YP said, would be expected to pick up nomination forms at the national secretariat from July 15 to August 10, 2019,” the statement noted.

The party also disclosed that while the expression of interest form will cost aspirants N100,000, the nomination form will be available for N1 million.

It assured that the primary would be conducted on the basis of One Member One Vote (OMOV) and there would be “no delegates or super delegates” while voting will be affordable and convenient for all eligible members of the party.

The party further stated its commitment to expanding the democratic space by providing a level playing ground for all aspirants on its platform.

“We encourage anyone who aspires to contest in free and fair primaries to join the party. Likewise, persons interested in voting for a candidate of their choice in a party primaries without fear or favour, are encouraged to join the party. The party preaches transparent political leadership and followership that frowns at money politics, bribery, violence, ‘short termism’ repression, and corruption,” it said.