The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans for the upcoming governorship elections for Bayelsa and Kogi.
On November 16, the elections will be held concurrently in the two states.
Speaking at a conference with political parties in Abuja on Monday to review the 2019 general election, INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu said the committee had published the timetable and schedule of election operations.
Party primaries are planned to take place between August 18 and September 5.
“The conduct of primaries and nomination of candidates must be transparent and democratic in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 87 of the Electoral Act as well as our regulations and guidelines,” he said.
He said all parties wishing to nominate applicants for the elections expect strict adherence from the Commission. The Commission will not accept any nomination resulting from primaries carried out after the deadline.
So far, Mr Yakubu has said that only three political parties have provided notices stating the dates for their Bayelsa and Kogi Governorship elections to their primaries.
“The Commission once again reminds party leaders to do the needful. In doing so, you should indicate not only the dates but also venues and time for the primaries,” he urged.
“I urge you to avoid persistent rescheduling of your primaries or late minute change of venue which sometimes disenfranchise your members and make effective monitoring by the Commission difficult. Where political parties opt for direct primaries, there should be proper register of members otherwise it will amount to conducting an election without the voters’ register.”