The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a press release informing the public and leaders of all political parties on its preparedness to conduct the bye-elections resulting from the resignation or demise of Members of the National and State Houses of Assembly in February 2024.
These vacancies, however, are cut across two Senatorial Districts, four Federal Constituencies, and three State Constituencies which in total span nine States of the Federation yet are to be filled on the 3rd of February, 2024.
This is following the court-ordered re-run elections in the aftermath of the 2023 controversial election, a directive by various Election Petition Appeal Tribunals, which includes the 35 constituencies
Both categories of elections, bye-elections and court-ordered elections, are scheduled to take place simultaneously in all affected constituencies on Saturday, 3rd February 2024.
While the commission urged the parties and candidates to strictly adhere to the specific timelines for the election ahead, the YIAGA Africa Executive Director, Samson Itodo, also cautions political parties and aspirants to play by the rules.
Speaking of rules, during his interview with Channels TV, Samson Itodo clarified that those who have shown interest in participating in the off-cycle elections have a huge role to play in complying with the electoral rules.
However, the party primaries are due to commence soon. Nonetheless, he further urges the parties involved to comply with its constitution as it aligns with the Electoral Acts.
As he analyzed the level of preparedness towards the upcoming off-cycle elections, he expressed the challenges that godfatherism poses in nominations as it surrounds the issues of the highest bidder and highest spender imposing on parties which candidates to be nominated as against the parties choice of candidate as the party flag bearer, which undermines delegates choices in nominating candidates.
Meanwhile, as the electoral commission roles out the timetables, the bye-elections and court-ordered re-run elections contents were also published.
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