By-elections: INEC Publishes Final List, Personal Particulars of Candidates

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published personal particulars and final list of candidates ahead of the by-elections scheduled to hold on February 3.

The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, in a statement issued yesterday said the list and particulars of the candidates have also been published in its state offices and the affected constituencies pursuant to the provision of Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

He added that the list of candidates was also published on INEC website and social media platforms.

The elections would be held on February 3 across nine states of the federation covering two senatorial districts (Ebonyi South and Yobe East); four federal constituencies (Shanga/Ngaski/Yauri Kebbi State); Surulere I federal constituency of Lagos State; Akoko North East/Akoko North West federal constituency of Ondo State;  Jalingo/Yorro/Zing federal constituency of Taraba State; three state constituencies (Guma I state constituency of Benue State; Chibok state constituency of Borno State, and Chikun state constituency of Kaduna State.

Olumekun said: “Nigerians may recall that recently the commission released the timetable and schedule of activities for by-elections arising from the death or resignation of members of the National and State Houses of Assembly.

“As provided in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities, the personal particulars and final list of candidates have been published today in our state offices and the affected constituencies pursuant to the provision of Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022. The list of candidates is also published on our website and social media platforms.”

The commission appealed to Nigerians to scrutinise the personal particulars (Form EC9 and academic credentials) of the candidates.

The electoral body added that any aspirant who participated in his/her party primaries with reasonable grounds to believe that the information provided by the candidate was false can challenge the nomination in a Federal high Court as provided in Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022.

It added: “For clarity, this publication only applies to the forthcoming by-elections as they are fresh elections for which political parties conducted primaries and nominated their candidates.

“For the re-run elections to be held on the same day, the list and personal particulars of candidates have been published before the 2023 general election.

“The re-run elections are conducted pursuant to the orders of the Election Petition Appeal Tribunals. They are not fresh elections open to new/disqualified candidates which obviates the need to publish their personal particulars again.”