We Have Been Joined As Respondents To 600 Cases From Party Primaries- INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that it has been listed as a respondent in “about 600” cases on issues arising from party primaries.

INEC’s chairman, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu said this on Monday at a capacity-building workshop for justices and judges on electoral matters, in Abuja.

He said the commission has been dealing with the issues of candidates’ nominations from political parties, adding that the preparation for the forthcoming elections has been affected.

The commission had slated July 15 as the deadline for replacing presidential and national assembly candidates, while August 12 was set for governorship and state house of assembly candidates.

“So far, we have been joined in about 600 cases relating to the conduct of recent primaries and nomination of candidates by political parties for the 2023 general election,” Yakubu said.

“Only two weeks ago, one political party served about 70 court processes on the commission in one day, seeking to compel us to accept the nomination or substitution of its candidates long after the deadline provided in the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 general election had elapsed.

“Some of the cases will go up to the supreme court. The implication is that we are still dealing with issues of nomination of candidates, thereby eating into vital time for preparation of and procurement of sensitive materials for the materials. “