By Godfrey AKON
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has fixed Saturday, February 25, 2023 for the conduct of the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, announced this while unveiling the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 general election at a press conference on Saturday, in Abuja.
Yakubu also announced that Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections have been adjusted to hold two weeks after the presidential election, on Saturday 11th March 2023, adding that with this adjustment, the 2023 General Election is now 363 days away.
He noted that the 2023 General Election was earlier scheduled to commence on 18th February 2023 with the Presidential and National Assembly elections, followed by the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections on the 4th of March 2023.
However, INEC could not release the detailed timetable and schedule of activities for the general election, as it normally would, because of the pending enactment of the Electoral Act 2022, which has now been signed into law.
According to him, the release of the new timetable followed presidential assent to the Electoral Bill 2022, making the fourth time since the restoration of democracy in Nigeria in May 1999 that the Electoral Act was repealed and re-enacted.
“Therefore, the Electoral Act 2022, together with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), form the legal basis for conducting all elections in Nigeria. In particular, the Electoral Act provides strict timelines for the implementation of electoral activities based on the date of the General Election.
“One of the significant timelines is the publication of Notice of Election not later than 360 days before the day appointed for holding an election which has now lapsed for the 2023 General Election.
Speaking further, the INEC boss noted that “Under the law, there are critical timebound activities from the publication of Notice of Election to the Conduct of Polls which form the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for elections.”
He said publication of notice of election will take place on Monday 28th February 2022, while the conduct of party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them will commence from Monday 4th April 2022 to Friday 3rd June 2022.
“Submission of nomination forms to INEC via the online portal for Presidential and National Assembly election – 9.00am on Friday 10th June 2022 to 6.00pm on Friday 17th June 2022.
“Submission of nomination forms to INEC via the online nomination portal for Governorship and State Assembly elections – 9.00am on Friday 1st July 2022 to 6.00pm on Friday 15th July 2022.
“Commencement of Campaign by political parties for Presidential and National Assembly election – Wednesday 28th September 2022. Commencement of Campaign by political parties for Governorship and State Assembly elections – Wednesday 12th October 2022.
“Last day of campaign by political parties for Presidential and National Assembly elections – midnight on Thursday 23rd February 2023. Last day of campaign by political parties for Governorship and State Assembly elections – midnight on Thursday 9th March 2023,” he said.
Yakubu assured that “with the coming into force of the Electoral Act 2022, the Commission will work assiduously to conclude and publish new Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections that are consistent with the Act.
He reminded stakeholders, especially political parties, of their responsibility to adhere strictly to the timelines in the timetable and schedule of activities, as well as all other timelines established by the commission.
“It is necessary that all political parties comply with the extant legal framework, ensure proper organisation and management of party primaries and the nomination of qualified candidates in order to prevent unnecessary litigations and rancour,” he said.
