INEC rules out altering 2023 election sequence
The Independent National Electoral Commission has rejected calls to revamp the 2023 general election sequence.
National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC, Festus Okoye made this known in an interview with our correspondent on Sunday.
A civil society group, the Civil Society Conference of Nigeria, had called on the commission on Saturday to revamp the sequence of elections.
The group said the 2023 elections should start with the gubernatorial elections, not the presidential election as indicated in the INEC calendar, noting that the reorganization of the electoral sequence is necessary to avoid any disruption that may arise from the conduct of the presidential election.
In response, Okoye said, “The Independent National Electoral Commission does not and will not share its constitutional and legal powers with any individual, group or organization. It is the sole responsibility and prerogative of the Commission to organize, undertake and supervise all elections for the offices of President and Vice President, Governor and Deputy Governor of a State, as well as members of the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the House of Assembly of each state of the federation.
"Under the provisions of Articles 132(1) and 178(1) of the Constitution, an election for the office of President and Governor shall take place on a date to be fixed by the National Assembly independent Electoral Commission in accordance with the Electoral Law Articles 132(2) and 178(2) of the same Constitution make it mandatory that an election to such office be held on a date no earlier than 150 days and no later than 30 days before the election. expiration of the term of the last holder of this position.
"On February 26, 2022, the commission, in accordance with Article 28 of the Constitution, gave the statutory notice, indicating the dates of the general elections of 2023 and the place where the declarations of candidacy must be filed delivered. It is too late to suggest any adjustment or reshuffling of the election sequence.
“Suggestions along these lines are a diversion and aim to create an atmosphere of uncertainty in the electoral process. Dates for the conduct of elections and the sequence of elections should be certain and not subject to arbitrary change. »
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The Independent National Electoral Commission has rejected calls to revamp the 2023 general election sequence.
National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC, Festus Okoye made this known in an interview with our correspondent on Sunday.
A civil society group, the Civil Society Conference of Nigeria, had called on the commission on Saturday to revamp the sequence of elections.
The group said the 2023 elections should start with the gubernatorial elections, not the presidential election as indicated in the INEC calendar, noting that the reorganization of the electoral sequence is necessary to avoid any disruption that may arise from the conduct of the presidential election.
In response, Okoye said, “The Independent National Electoral Commission does not and will not share its constitutional and legal powers with any individual, group or organization. It is the sole responsibility and prerogative of the Commission to organize, undertake and supervise all elections for the offices of President and Vice President, Governor and Deputy Governor of a State, as well as members of the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the House of Assembly of each state of the federation.
"Under the provisions of Articles 132(1) and 178(1) of the Constitution, an election for the office of President and Governor shall take place on a date to be fixed by the National Assembly independent Electoral Commission in accordance with the Electoral Law Articles 132(2) and 178(2) of the same Constitution make it mandatory that an election to such office be held on a date no earlier than 150 days and no later than 30 days before the election. expiration of the term of the last holder of this position.
"On February 26, 2022, the commission, in accordance with Article 28 of the Constitution, gave the statutory notice, indicating the dates of the general elections of 2023 and the place where the declarations of candidacy must be filed delivered. It is too late to suggest any adjustment or reshuffling of the election sequence.
“Suggestions along these lines are a diversion and aim to create an atmosphere of uncertainty in the electoral process. Dates for the conduct of elections and the sequence of elections should be certain and not subject to arbitrary change. »
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