The final list of candidates for Presidential, Senate and House of Representatives seats would be published on September 20, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said.
This was disclosed by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on Thursday in Abuja at the “Expert Meeting on Conducting Nigeria’s 2023 General Elections in a Volatile Security Environment.”
The event was organised by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) in conjunction with INEC.
Prof Yakubu said that the publication of the final list was in line with Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the Timetable and Schedule of Activities released by the commission.
He said, “This will be followed on Oct. 4 by the publication of the final list of candidates for state elections (Governorship and State Houses of Assembly).
“Campaign in public by political parties will officially commence on Sept. 28 as provided for by Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022.
“As campaigns commence, we appeal to all political parties and candidates to focus on issue-based campaigns.
“This is the best way to complement our efforts to ensure transparent elections in which only the votes cast by citizens determine the winner.”
The CDD Director, Ms Idayat Hassan, said that the meeting was being held against the background of security challenges plaguing the country.
Hassan said the idea was to start talking about how to de-escalate the tension and how to secure the environment, such that INEC would be able to assess all parts of the country to conduct peaceful and legitimate elections come 2023.
Mr Chris Pycroft, the Development Director, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), said that the office was delighted to be partnering with CDD and providing funding for the event and related activity to promote peaceful and secure elections in 2023.
According to Pycroft, this is a top priority for the UK in Nigeria over the coming six months, and one of multiple initiatives in partnership with Nigerian and international stakeholders.
