Twenty-four hours to the deadline for the submission of names of candidates for the 2019 general elections, only eight political parties have forwarded their nomination lists to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Chairman of the commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, said this on Wednesday at a quarterly dialogue session with the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room in Abuja.
Professor Yakubu did not mention the names of the parties that have submitted their lists to INEC.
Lamenting the delay in submission of candidates’ names and the anticipated last-minute rush, the INEC chairman said 89 political parties had submitted notices to the commission that they will field candidates for the 2019 general elections.
He said, “Tomorrow, we will officially close the submission of nominations for the Presidential and National Assembly. Eighty-nine political parties submitted notices for the conduct of primaries. So, we expect submissions from the 89 political parties. At the close of business yesterday (Tuesday), filed nominations.”
Professor Yakubu who said more lists were expected on Wednesday, stressed that the situation meant 81 parties had limited time to submit their lists.
“I guess they will all come before midnight on the 18th – even though we have given ample time for the conduct of primaries and the submission of nominations.,” he said.
Based on INEC’s schedule of activities for the 2019 general elections, the last day for political parties to submit their nomination lists for presidential and National Assembly elections is October 18.
The parties have till November 2 for the submission of lists for governorship and house of assembly elections.
