The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said 17 parties would participate in the governorship election of Ekiti State.
However, the elections body has disqualified Boot Party (BP).
INEC rejected the outcome of the primary conducted by the Boot Party (BP) to elect its candidate for the June 18 governorship election of Ekiti State.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said this in Abuja yesterday during the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.
He said the BP was barred as its primary was not monitored by INEC.
He said, “In the case of the Ekiti State governorship election, the period earmarked in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for party primaries ended three days ago on 29th January 2022.
“All 18 political parties served notices for their party primaries to elect their candidates for the election and invited the commission to monitor them.
“One party adopted the direct method for electing its candidate while 16 parties opted for the indirect method. However, from on our field report, the Boot Party (BP) did not hold its primary election at any venue known to, and monitored by, the commission. “Consequently, we do not expect the party to nominate a candidate for the Ekiti State Governorship election.”
Yakubu warned political parties to strictly adhere to the commission’s timelines for all activities, including the conduct of primaries and nomination of candidates.
