The Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned political parties and their presidential
candidates for the 2019 elections against publicly campaigning before November
18.
Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman,
issued the warning on Monday while speaking at a workshop for election
professionals from the Commonwealth Africa region.
Yakubu said the approved time for
campaign, according to the timeline given by INEC and the provisions of the
electoral act, begins 90 days before the polling day.
This, he says, also applies to
candidates vying for elective positions in the national assembly.
He said the campaign for
governorship and state house of assembly elections begins on December 1.
“Section 99(1) prohibits
campaigns by political parties earlier than 90 days before polling day,” Yakubu
said.
“Therefore, going by the
provisions of the Electoral Act and the Timetable and Schedule of Activities
issued by the Commission, campaign for Presidential and National Assembly
elections will commence on Nov. 18.
“Campaign for Governorship and
State Assembly elections begins on Dec. 1.
“I call upon political parties
and candidates to strictly adhere to these dates.”
He further said political parties
are expected to submit lists of candidates (Form CFOO2) and their personal
particulars (Forms C1001) for presidential and national assembly elections on
October 10 and 18 respectively.
He added that the date for the
submission of governorship candidates is October 2 while that of the state
assembly elections is November 2.
“The commission will receive the
submission from political parties at Aso Hall of the International Conference
Centre, Abuja, from 9.a.m to 4.p.m. daily,” he said.
“Although we have communicated
these dates to all political parties, let me reiterate that there will be no
extension of time.
“Similarly, in making submissions
to the commission, the covering letters as well as the list of candidates must
be duly signed by the National Chairmen and National Secretaries of political
patties in line with the commission’s guidelines.’’
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