The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed worries over the failure of political parties to update the commission with election expenditure reports.
The commission said furnishing it with up-to-date reports of such expenses and contribution was in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), while urging defaulting parties to comply.
“May I draw your attention to your obligation under Sections 92 (3) and 93(4) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) which require political parties to submit to the Commission their election expenses reports within six months and election contribution reports within three months after the declaration of result of an election.
“We have reminded political parties of these obligations in respect of the Edo and Ondo Governorship elections held last year.
“However, only seven out of 14 political parties have responded in the case of Edo State and 7 out of seventeen for Ondo State.
“We wish to remind political parties of the consequences of the failure to do so as enshrined in the Electoral Act. We therefore expect all defaulting parties to comply in earnest as you prepare for forthcoming elections,” INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu said.
Prof Yakubu also decried the squabbles that always trailed parties’ primaries leading to emergence of candidates through litigations, while urging political parties to ensure rancor-free primaries.
He said: “The Commission is not happy that candidates for elections are now being determined through litigation long after elections have been concluded and winners declared by INEC.
“The problem lies squarely with the conduct of party primaries and nomination of candidates by some political parties. We urge you to hold yourselves to the same high standard of free, fair, and credible elections that you hold INEC in all elections.”
