The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given its nod to the final list of candidates who will be contesting in the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states.
The much-awaited announcement was made by Festus Okoye, the INEC national commissioner for information, during a statement released on Tuesday.
According to Okoye, this decision by INEC is in full compliance with the provisions of the electoral act, which mandates the publication of the candidate list no later than 150 days before the election day. With November 11 marked as the election date, the commission successfully met this requirement.
Okoye said the final list of candidates, now available on the commission’s official website, reveals that a total of 18 political parties will be fielding candidates in Kogi state, while 17 parties have candidates in Imo and 16 in Bayelsa.
To ensure a level playing field and an orderly election process, INEC has scheduled the official commencement of public campaigns to commence on June 14.
The campaigns will run for a period of nearly five months, culminating on November 9, just two days before the eagerly anticipated voting day.
“At its regular meeting held today, Tuesday 6th June 2023, the commission approved the final list of candidates for the three off-cycle governorship elections scheduled to hold in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states on Saturday 11th November 2023,” the statement reads.
“The decision is in line with the provision of section 32(1) of the electoral act 2022 which requires the publication of the list not later than 150 days to election day i.e. Friday 9th June 2023 following the period for voluntary withdrawal and substitution of candidates by political parties under section 31 of the electoral act 2022.
“The final list has been uploaded to the commission’s website and social media platforms. The same will be published in our state and local government offices in the affected States on Thursday 8th June 2023 ahead of the statutory deadline of 9th June 2023.
“The list shows that all 18 political parties are fielding candidates in Kogi state, 17 in Imo State, and 16 in Bayelsa State. The list also shows that two political parties are fielding female candidates in Bayelsa state, one in Kogi state, and none in Imo state.
“The commission wishes to remind political parties and candidates that in line with the timetable and Schedule of Activities for the three elections, a campaign in public officially commences on Wednesday 14th June 2023 in line with Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 and ends on 9th November 2023 i.e. 24 hours prior to election day.”
He encouraged political parties to desist from conflict and conduct their activities in a civil and peaceful manner.
“Regrettably, the ugly incident last week involving the convoys of two political actors in Kogi State resulting in the destruction of vehicles and other properties ahead of the commencement of the campaign is worrisome.
“We urge parties and candidates to conduct their political activities with civility and decorum as peaceful electioneering heralds a peaceful election. Political parties and candidates have a responsibility to de-escalate tension ahead of the elections,” he added.
See the final candidates’ list for Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi Guber poll below:
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