The Independent National Electoral Commissioner (INEC), after a meeting at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, released the final list of candidates for the governorship election in Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo states scheduled to hold on November 11, 2023.
INEC National Commissioner, Festus Okoye, Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, in a statement, asserted that “the decision is in line with the provision of Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 which requires the publication of the list not later than 150 days to election day i.e. Friday 9th June 2023 following the period for voluntary withdrawal and substitution of candidates by political parties under Section 31 of the Electoral Act 2022.”
He maintained that “the final list has been uploaded to the Commission’s website and social media platforms. The same will be published in our State and Local Government offices in the affected States on Thursday 8th June 2023 ahead of the statutory deadline of 9th June 2023.”
Okoye stated that all the 18 registered political parties nominated candidates for the governorship election in Kogi, while 17 parties nominated candidates in Bayelsa, and 16 parties in Imo.
The statement indicated that two political parties nominated female governorship candidates in Bayelsa State, one party nominated a female candidate in Kogi State, and none in Imo State.
The INEC National Commissioner reminded political parties and their candidates that in line with the timetable and schedule of activities for the three elections, campaign in the public will officially commence on Wednesday 14th June, and ends on 9th November, while the election holds on November 11 in the respective states.