Anambra Decides 2021: Only 18 Parties Are Recognised, INEC Tells 74 Others

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it
will continue to recognise and deal with only the 18 registered
political parties, pending the final resolution and determination
of the various appeals filed and pending before the Supreme
Court.

In a statement on Friday by its National Commissioner and
Chairman of Voter Education and Publicity Committee, Festus Okoye,
it asked the 74 deregistered political parties to await the
judgement of the apex court on appeals relating to the powers of
INEC to deregister political parties in accordance with section
225A of the Constitution.

The commission, however, stated that it was always ready to obey
court orders and would abide by any judgement delivered by the
Supreme Court.

“This statement has become necessary against the backdrop of
various letters submitted to the commission recently by some of the
deregistered political parties signifying their intention to
conduct primaries with a view to submitting names and particulars
of candidates for the Anambra Governorship election.

“The deregistered parties hinge their request to nominate
candidates on the judgement of the Court of Appeal delivered on
June 11, 2020,” it said.

INEC insisted that it would not issue access code to or accept
the list and particulars of candidates emanating from such
primaries.

It also advised the registered political parties to strictly
adhere to the provisions of their constitutions on internal party
administration and nomination of candidates for elections.

According to the electoral umpire, this has become necessary in
view of the recent spate of complaints regarding the dissolution of
the executives of state branches even where their tenures have not
expired, as well as the rash of conflicting court orders with
respect to party primaries and candidature long after elections
have been conducted by the commission.

The electoral umpire stated that respect for party constitution
and due process were cardinal to electoral democracy, adding that
political parties must keep to their obligations to internal
democracy and the rule of law.

“The commission uses this opportunity to appeal to all critical
stakeholders to support its efforts to strengthen the electoral
process.

“These efforts presently include but are not limited to the
initiative to expand access of voters to polling units, resumption
of the continuous voters registration, amendment of the Electoral
Legal Framework, preparations for the conduct of the Anambra, Ekiti
and Osun Governorship elections and some bye-elections, the
deepening of the use of technology in the electoral process, as
well as early preparations for the 2023 general elections,” the
statement added.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it
will continue to recognise and deal with only the 18 registered
political parties, pending the final resolution and determination
of the various appeals filed and pending before the Supreme
Court.

In a statement on Friday by its National Commissioner and
Chairman of Voter Education and Publicity Committee, Festus Okoye,
it asked the 74 deregistered political parties to await the
judgement of the apex court on appeals relating to the powers of
INEC to deregister political parties in accordance with section
225A of the Constitution.

The commission, however, stated that it was always ready to obey
court orders and would abide by any judgement delivered by the
Supreme Court.

“This statement has become necessary against the backdrop of
various letters submitted to the commission recently by some of the
deregistered political parties signifying their intention to
conduct primaries with a view to submitting names and particulars
of candidates for the Anambra Governorship election.

“The deregistered parties hinge their request to nominate
candidates on the judgement of the Court of Appeal delivered on
June 11, 2020,” it said.

INEC insisted that it would not issue access code to or accept
the list and particulars of candidates emanating from such
primaries.

It also advised the registered political parties to strictly
adhere to the provisions of their constitutions on internal party
administration and nomination of candidates for elections.

According to the electoral umpire, this has become necessary in
view of the recent spate of complaints regarding the dissolution of
the executives of state branches even where their tenures have not
expired, as well as the rash of conflicting court orders with
respect to party primaries and candidature long after elections
have been conducted by the commission.

The electoral umpire stated that respect for party constitution
and due process were cardinal to electoral democracy, adding that
political parties must keep to their obligations to internal
democracy and the rule of law.

“The commission uses this opportunity to appeal to all critical
stakeholders to support its efforts to strengthen the electoral
process.

“These efforts presently include but are not limited to the
initiative to expand access of voters to polling units, resumption
of the continuous voters registration, amendment of the Electoral
Legal Framework, preparations for the conduct of the Anambra, Ekiti
and Osun Governorship elections and some bye-elections, the
deepening of the use of technology in the electoral process, as
well as early preparations for the 2023 general elections,” the
statement added.