2019: No Extension of Dates for Submission of List of Candidates, INEC Insists

• Presidential, governorship campaigns begin Nov 18, Dec 1

Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday sounded a note of warning to political parties to as a matter of urgency begin the submission of list of candidates (Form CF002) and their personal particulars (Forms CF001) from October 10 to18, 2018 for presidential and National Assembly elections.

The commission added that the submission of forms for governorship and state assembly elections will begin from October 22 to November 2, 2018.

It further disclosed that 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 November 18, 2018, while governorship and state assembly elections begin on December 1, 2018.

To this end, INEC called upon political parties and candidates to strictly adhere to these dates.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, stated this while delivering his welcome address at the Commonwealth Election Professionals (CEP) workshop for the Commonwealth African Region in Abuja.

Yakubu, noted that the theme of the workshop ‘Strengthening Electoral Democracy in the Commonwealth African Region’ is topical and relevant, more so that participants are drawn mainly from middle-level officials who actually conduct elections in the field.

According to him, this workshop is coming in the middle of activities for the 2019 general elections, adding that with the conclusion of primaries by political parties yesterday, “the next activities is the commencement of the process of nomination of candidates to the commission.”

He said: “May I seize this opportunity to remind political parties that the dates for the submission of list of candidates (Form CF001) for presidential and National Assembly elections is October 10 to 18, 2018, while governorship and state assembly elections is October 22 to November 2, 2018.

“The Commission will receive the submission form from political parties at Aso Hall at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, from 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. daily.”

The INEC Boss, revealed that, although the commission has not 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 parties in line with the commission’s guidelines.”