By Jude Opara, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday warned political parties against engaging in unnecessary litigations especially after party primaries.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu who gave the warning yesterday in Abuja while delivering his speech at the Second Quarterly Meeting of the Commission with Political Parties said it has become worrisome that in most cases the courts have been deciding who candidates of political parties are after primaries.

According to him, the problem is with the conduct of the primaries which he regretted has in most cases run short of the guidelines and even the constitutions of the parties.

He also revealed that for the November 6 Anambra state governorship election, all the 18 registered political parties have expressed interest to participate and have scheduled their primaries for the election in line with the dates provided for in the Timetable released by the Commission. 

Also, in the forthcoming FCT Area Council elections, the INEC boss noted that political parties have concluded their primaries for the 68 constituencies made up of 6 Area Council Chairmen and 62 Councillors. He added that a total of 14 out of the 18 political parties have nominated 110 candidates for Chairmanship/Deputy Chairmanship positions while 362 candidates are billed for Councillorship elections.

“I would like to remind political parties about the recent letters written to you by the Commission on the imperative of complying with the provisions of the law as well as our regulations governing the conduct of party primaries and nomination of candidates. The Commission is not happy that candidates for elections are now being determined through litigation long after elections have been concluded and winners declared by INEC.

“The problem lies squarely with the conduct of party primaries and nomination of candidates by some political parties. We urge you to hold yourselves to the same high standard of free, fair, and credible elections that you hold INEC in all elections. You must ensure strict compliance with your party Constitutions, the law and the Commission’s regulations and guidelines on party primaries in particular and the management of party affairs in general.”

Similarly, Yakubu drew the attention of the political parties to the provisions of the Electoral Act 2020 (as amended) which require that they furnish the Commission with details of the financial expenses and inflow six months and three months after the declaration of the result.

“May I also draw your attention to your obligation under Sections 92 (3) and 93(4) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) which require political parties to submit to the Commission their election expenses reports within six months and election contribution report within three months after the declarations of result of an election.

“We have reminded political parties of these obligations in respect of the Edo and Ondo Governorship elections held last year. However, only seven out of 14 political parties have responded in the case of Edo State and 8 out of seventeen for Ondo State.  We wish to remind political parties of the consequences of the failure to do so as enshrined in the Electoral Act. We therefore expect all defaulting parties to comply in earnest as you prepare for forthcoming elections.”

The Chairman also reminded the parties of the prompt release of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the Ekiti State Governorship elections holding on 18th June 2022 and that of Osun State holding on 16th July 2022.