Edo 2024: INEC receives primary election schedules from 16 political parties

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it has received primary schedules from 16 political parties contesting in the 2024 Edo State governorship election.

INEC’s spokesperson, Sam Olumekun, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

“Sixteen (16) political parties have notified the Commission of their intention to participate in the election as well as their preferred modes and dates of primaries,” Olumekun said.

Among the activities listed for the election is the conduct of primaries by political parties scheduled for 1st – 24th February 2024.

By virtue of Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, political parties are required to give the Commission at least 21 days’ notice before the date fixed for the conduct of their primaries. The last date for such notification lapsed on 4th February 2024.

Olumekun noted that the commission is set to deploy its monitoring teams, and political parties are reminded that Edo State is the constituency for the election.

He, however, urged political parties to avoid unnecessary postponement, arbitrary changes of venues for their primaries, wholesale changes of delegates’ lists, or the submission of names that did not emerge from valid primaries as candidates for the election.

“Therefore, primaries must take place within the state in line with Sections 84(4) and 5(b) of the Electoral Act 2022,” he added.

“They should also avoid rancorous primaries that lead to the breakdown of law and order often as a result of non-adherence to the provision of their constitutions and guidelines. These are some of the issues that lead to a large number of pre-election litigations.”

The spokesman also stated that the scheduled dates and modes of primaries proposed by the political parties have been uploaded to the commission’s website and social media platforms for public information.