The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that it will release the final list of the candidates contesting for presidential and governorship elections in the forthcoming 2023 General elections, on September, 20.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu made this known while addressing a meeting organized by the Centre for Democracy and Development in Abuja with the theme, “Conducting Nigeria’s 2023 Elections in Volatile Security Environment,” in Abuja.
Giving a breakdown, Yakubu said that the final list of the presidential candidates will be out on September 20, while the governorship list will be released on October 4.
The INEC boss asked political parties and their candidates to focus on issue-based campaigns. He further explained that the commission is collaborating with security agencies to ensure a peaceful election.
In his words, ”Campaign in public by political parties will officially commence on Sept. 28 as provided for by Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022.
”As campaigns commence, we appeal to all political parties and candidates to focus on issue-based campaigns.
“This is the best way to complement our efforts to ensure transparent elections in which only the votes cast by citizens determine the winner.
“The commission welcomes this initiative and as Co-Chairman of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), there is no doubt that the security agencies also welcome ideas and citizens’ support towards peaceful elections,” he said.
