Edo Guber: INEC Sets 20-Day Deadline for Political Parties to Upload Data of Nominated Candidates

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given political parties a 20-day deadline to upload the personal data and names of their nominated candidates to the commission’s portal for the forthcoming off-cycle Edo State Governorship election.

The portal will open on Monday, March 4, 2024, at 9:00am and automatically shut down at 6.00pm on Sunday, 24th March, 2024.

Political parties can collect the Access Code for the portal from Friday, March 1, 2024. According to Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, the deadline for the conduct of primaries by political parties expired on February 24, 2024.

To ensure seamless nominations, the Commission will once again organize refresher training for two Liaison Officers per party.

The training commenced on Friday and will end on Monday, March 4, 2024, at the Media Centre of the Commission in Abuja.

The Media Centre will also serve as the Help Desk during the period of nomination of candidates in case any political party needs assistance.

Political parties are expected to strictly comply with the timelines and ensure that the nomination forms of only two candidates (Governorship candidate and running mate) are uploaded within the 20-day period.

The Commission has emphasized that there will be no extension of time beyond Sunday, 24th March 2024.

In other news, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set up a reconciliation committee to address the controversy over the conduct of the Edo State governorship primary election.

The committee is headed by the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, and is charged with the responsibility of reconciling all critical stakeholders and party members in Edo State ahead of the September 21, 2024 Governorship Election.

The committee includes prominent members such as former governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, Senator Seriake Dickson, Senator Tunde Ogheha, Senator Stella Omu, Dr. Esther Uduehi, Senator Olalere Oyewunmi, Senator Sandy Onor, Isiaka Sola Gold, Emmanuel Enoidem, and Jacob Otorkpa as the Administrative Secretary.

The PDP urges all critical stakeholders and members of the party in Edo State to remain steadfast and continue to work hard for the success of the governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, ahead of the September 21, 2024, governorship election.

The 20-day deadline set by the INEC for political parties to upload the data of their nominated candidates is an important step in the Edo State Governorship election process.

The establishment of the reconciliation committee by the PDP also highlights the importance of unity and cooperation within the party in the lead-up to the election.