Abuja: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the particulars of 16 candidates nominated for the November 8 Anambra governorship election. This announcement was made on Saturday, marking a significant step in the electoral process for the upcoming gubernatorial race.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the commission released a statement through Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee. Olumekun explained that the publication followed the conclusion of party primaries conducted by 16 political parties. The candidates’ nomination forms were uploaded by 6 pm on May 12, coinciding with the automatic shutdown of the dedicated portal.
Olumekun highlighted that, in compliance with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 and the election’s timetable and schedule of activities, INEC has published the personal details of each candidate and their running mate at its state headquarters and across the 21 Local Government offices in Anambra. The publication involved displaying copies of form EC9, along with the candidates’ academic credentials and other submitted documents.
He urged Nigerians to examine these documents closely and encouraged any aspirant who participated in their party’s primaries and has reasonable grounds to suspect false information in a candidate’s submission to challenge the nomination in a Federal High Court, as stipulated in Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022.
Olumekun also mentioned that the final list of candidates would be published on June 9. This timeline adheres to Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 and is listed as item 7 on the election’s Timetable and Schedule of Activities.
