The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said, the final list of presidential, Senate and the House of Representatives candidates would be released on September 20.
The electoral umpire said, the set date for the final list was in consonance with the amended Electoral Act, 2022, particularly in Section 32(1), while the list of governorship and State Assembly candidates would be released on October 4.
The Chairman of the Commission, Prof.
Mahmood Yakubu, stated this at an event organised in collaboration with the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) on ‘Conducting Election in Volatile Security Environment, in Abuja on Thursday.
Yakubu pointed out that the engagement has become imperative given the volatile nature in some parts of the country, noting that preparations for the 2023 general election will enter critical stages before the end of September.
The Chairman stressed: “In the next 19 days i.e. on 20th September 2022, the Commission will publish the final list of candidates for national elections (Presidential, Senatorial and House of Representatives) as provided in Sec. 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 and the Timetable and Schedule of Activities released by the Commission”, while that of State elections would follow.
He continued: “Campaign in public by political parties will officially commence on 28th September 2022 as provided by Sec. 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 As campaigns commence, we appeal to all political parties and candidates to focus on issue-based campaigns.
“This is the best way to complement our efforts to ensure transparent elections in which only the votes cast by citizens determine the winner.”
He continued: “I have no doubt in my mind that today’s meeting meets the twin tests of relevance and timeliness. The meeting is relevant because of the volatile security situation in some parts of the country and its implications on the forthcoming elections.
He expressed optimism that security concerns would be addressed within the time left before the general election.
“Most appropriately, I believe that arising from the shared experience of participants at this meeting, specific recommendations will be made to further enrich our understanding of the security issues in the forthcoming election, the various dimensions of the challenges and, most importantly, possible measures to respond to them to ensure that elections peacefully hold nationwide as required by law.
“The Commission welcomes this initiative and as Co-Chairman of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), there is no doubt that the security agencies also welcome ideas and citizens’ support towards peaceful elections. After all, only recently the office of the Inspector General of Police organised a nationwide capacity-building for police personnel on election security.
“The Police was not only motivated by the same concern of ensuring a secure environment for the election but also enhancing the professionalism of police personnel on election duty”.
