As the different candidates prepare for the commencement of electioneering, the Independence National Electoral Commission, INEC has said that will publish the final list of candidates for national elections.in the next 19 days.
Mahmood Yakubu at the expert meeting on “Conducting elections in volatile Security environment”, organised in collaboration with the Centre for Democracy and Development, CCD, said it is important for stakeholders to discuss a very important enabler to the full participation of citizens in the electoral process such as election security.
“By bringing together experts, senior security officials and the INEC leadership to share experience and discuss security concerns ahead of the 2023 General Election, CDD hopes to kickstart further collaborative engagements among stakeholders around the security challenges ahead of the election.
“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. This will be followed on 4th October 2022 by the publication of the final list of candidates for State elections (Governorship and State Houses of Assembly).
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 said.
The Commission, he said 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. Afterall, 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.
“Activities towards the 2023 General Election will enter the critical stages this month,” INEC boss said.
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