By Correspondent in Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says Anambra state Governorship election comes up on November 6,2021, according to Festus Okoye,National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of the commission.
Okoye, who made the disclosure in a statement, a copy of which is made available to The Reporters on Wednesday in Abuja said this was part of the meeting of the commission in Abuja on Tuesday.
He said the meeting deliberated on a wide range of issues, including the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the conduct of the election.
Okoye said: “By virtue of Section 178(1) & (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Section 25(7) & (8) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), election into the office of a State Governor shall hold not earlier than 150 days.”
According to him, such exercise must also not later 30 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of the office.
“Constitutionally and statutorily, the tenure of the Governor of Anambra State will expire on the 17th March 2022 and the earliest date for the Election into the office of Governor, Anambra State, shall be 18th October 2021 and the latest date for the election shall be 15th February 2022.
He said the conduct of the poll was in exercise of the powers conferred on the commission by the Constitution, the Electoral Act and all other powers enabling it in that regard.
“By the Timetable and Schedule of Activities, the Commission will issue the statutory Notice for Election on 9th June 2021.
“The Collection of Forms EC9 (Formerly CF001) and EC9B (Formerly CF002) for the election will take place on 10th June, 2021 and the conduct of party primaries and resolution of disputes arising from the primaries will take place on 10th June -1st July, 2021.
” The Personal Particulars of the candidates will be published on 16th July 2021 and the parties will commence campaigns on 8th August 2021. The Final List of Nominated Candidates will be published on 7th October, 2021,” he added.
Okoye enjoined all the registered political parties to pay close attention to the timelines and schedule of activities outlined in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities, adding that they were constitutional and statutorily provisions.
“We also enjoin political parties to conduct rancour-free primaries, guarantee level playing field for all aspirants and conduct necessary due diligence on all forms and documents that will be submitted to the Commission.
He, however, noted that INEC was concerned about the spate of acrimonious primaries as well as the nomination of unqualified candidates which result in avoidable litigations and the nullification of elections by Election Petition Tribunals.
The National Commissioner advised all the stakeholders to support the Commission’s efforts to strengthen the electoral process, including the deployment of technology to deliver free, fair and credible elections.
