The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said on Sunday that it had yet to fix a date for the publication of its corrected list of candidates for next year’s elections, following submissions by political parties and candidates over omitted names.
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The list for the National Assembly elections contained the names of candidates who may have violated provisions of the Electoral Act following the judgment of the Supreme Court on Section 77 of the Act.
However, the Commission excluded such candidates from the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, prompting protests from political parties and their candidates. It subsequently gave those affected until October 24 to submit their complaints.
The All Progressives Congress also wrote to the Commission, seeking implementation of the Supreme Court judgment.
INEC said it was processing all corrections submitted by political parties and candidates, alongside relevant court orders, and would publish the updated list once the process was completed.
The Director of Information and Voter Education at INEC, Victoria Eta-Mesi, told The Nation that the Commission would effect the necessary corrections but had not fixed a date for the release of the updated list.
In a one-paragraph response to enquiries, she said: “All corrections submitted by other parties and candidates together with Court Orders are being effected, and will be published once ready. No date has been fixed for the publication.”
The development comes amid legal and political concerns over the omission of some candidates’ names from the published list following the Supreme Court judgment and INEC’s directive inviting aggrieved parties and candidates to submit their complaints and relevant court orders.
INEC’s position indicates that it is reconciling the submissions and implementing applicable court orders, but has yet to announce when the corrected list will be made public.
A high-ranking source within the Commission said INEC was currently reviewing all submissions from candidates and political parties and would address them on their merits.
The source said: “The Commission received complaints and will review them according to their merit and in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act and the Constitution. Those who, in accordance with the law, qualify will be included, while those who fail the legal test will not be part of the election.
“Don’t forget, some of the candidates and parties are also in court, and when the judgment comes, the Commission will review and comply accordingly.”
Meanwhile, the name of Olawepo Hashim had yet to be uploaded to the Commission’s website as the Accord Party candidate at the time of the report.
Although it was unclear why the Commission had not uploaded the name despite a statement by INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, that the Commission would respect the judgment, it was gathered that the delay may be related to the party’s filing.
The National Chairman of Accord, Maxwell Mgbudem, said the party had appealed the judgment but did not provide details of the appeal.
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