INEC Releases Final List, Particulars Of Candidates For Bye-Elections

Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has published the personal particulars and final list of candidates for the 3rd February 2024 bye-elections in its State offices and the affected constituencies pursuant to the provision of Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

The list of candidates has also been published on the commission’s website and social media platforms.

In a press statement, the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said the bye-elections arise from the death or resignation of members of the National and State Houses of Assembly.

“These elections will be held on Saturday 3rd February 2024 across nine States of the Federation covering two Senatorial Districts (Ebonyi South and Yobe East); four Federal Constituencies (Shanga/Ngaski/Yauri Federal Constituency of Kebbi State, Surulere I Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Akoko North East/Akoko North West Federal Constituency of Ondo State and Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency of Taraba State); and three State Constituencies (Guma I State Constituency of Benue State, Chibok State Constituency of Borno State and Chikun State Constituency of Kaduna State)”.

Mr Olumekun noted that the commission is appealing to Nigerians to scrutinize the personal particulars (Form EC9 and academic credentials) of the candidates.

“Any aspirant who participated in his/her party primaries with reasonable grounds to believe that the information provided by the candidate is false can challenge the nomination in a Federal high Court as provided in Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022”.

He added that the published list only applies to the forthcoming bye-elections as they are fresh elections for which political parties conducted primaries and nominated their candidates.

“For the re-run elections to be held on the same day, the list and personal particulars of candidates have been published before the 2023 General Election. The re-run elections are conducted pursuant to the orders of the Election Petition Appeal Tribunals. They are not fresh elections open to new/disqualified candidates which obviates the need to publish their personal particulars again”.

The released list shows that 53 political parties and 57 candidates are taking part in the poll made up of 53 males and 8 females vying for various elective positions.

Emmanuel Ukoh