By Mercy Peter
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has released the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for conducting the bye and re-run elections.
Already, the Commission has announced 3rd February as the date for rerun and bye elections in two Senatorial districts, four Federal Constituencies, and three State Constituencies spanning nine States of the Federation.”
Mr. Sam Olumekun
National Commissioner & Chairman
Information Voter Education Committee made the doclosure in a statement on Friday.
According to the Timetable and Schedule of activity, notice of elections is expected to be issued on 4th January 2024. The party primaries has been scheduled for between 5th -9th of January 2024. This include the resolutions of all disputes that may arise in the primaries.
Political parties have between 9th to 13th January 2024 to submit names of candidates.
The Commission is expected to publish names of candidates in the election latest by 17th January 2024.
Campaign, according to the Timetable and scheduled of activities is expected to commence 18th January 2024. Campaign ends by 1st February 2024 .
All political parties participating in the election are expected to submit names of poling agents lates 21st January 2024.
According to the statement, the bye-elections is due to the resignation or demise of Members of the National and State Houses of Assembly.
“These vacancies were declared by the Presiding Officers i.e. the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Speakers of State Houses of Assembly,” Olumekun stated.
He explained that “the vacancies occurred across two Senatorial Districts, four Federal Constituencies, and three State Constituencies spanning nine States of the Federation.”
The statement further added, “The Commission is conducting re-run elections stemming from the 2023 General Election, as directed by various Election Petition Appeal Tribunals. “
“Currently, 35 Constituencies are affected by these Court-ordered elections. While three cover entire constituencies, others involve only a few Polling Units.
“Both categories of elections are scheduled to take place simultaneously in all affected constituencies on Saturday 3rd February 2024,” the statement added .
He therfore urged all political parties and candidates to strictly comply with the timelines.
“We urge parties and candidates to strictly adhere to the specified timelines for the seamless conduct of these elections,” the statement stressed.
