Ahead of the June 16 gubernatorial elections in Ekiti, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says only eight political parties have as of January 7, notified it of their intentions to conduct primaries.

“So far, as at afternoon January 7, eight political parties have given the commission the statutory notice of their intention to conduct primaries for the purpose of nominating candidates for the Ekiti governorship election scheduled for June 16,” the spokesperson for INEC, Festus Okoye, said in Abuja.

Mr Okoye listed the parties as the Peoples Democratic Party, All Progressives Congress, Action Alliance, African Democratic Congress, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Allied People’s Movement, Peoples Redemption Party, and African Action Congress.

He said going by the timetable for the activities, political parties seeking to nominate candidates must conduct their primaries between January 4 and 29.

Mr Okoye said that by section 85 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), every registered political party shall give the commission at least a 21-day notice.

These according to him include notice of convention, congress, conference, or meeting convened for the purpose of electing members of its Executive Committees, other governing bodies, or nominating candidates for any of the elective positions specified in the Act.

“Furthermore, by section 87 of the Electoral Act, a political party seeking to nominate candidates for elections under the Act shall hold primaries for the aspirants and this shall be through direct or indirect means.

“Political parties nominating candidates must ensure that they conduct valid primaries and the primaries must be conducted within the period designated by the commission in the timetable and schedule of activities,” Mr Okoye said.

(NAN)