By Divine Nwakanma
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed October 4 for the release of final list of candidates for the 2023 general elections.
Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said this on Monday, in Lagos at two day Workshop organized by the Commission in conjunction with the Development Alternative Initiative (DAI) for the media.
Yakubu who was represented by the National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Festus Okoye, reiterated the resolve of the Commission to deploy technology in the conduct of the forthcoming general election.
The Workshop with the theme; Critical Issues in the Electoral Act, 2022 and the Commission’s Processes, Innovations, Preparations for the 2023 General Election was attended by media professionals drawn from across the country.
He said this is in line with the resolution of the electoral body to conduct a free, fair and credible election, even as he noted that the Commission had earlier released the final list of candidates for the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
“The Commission has entered the critical phase in the electoral process. As of today, the Commission has undertaken out eight of the 14 items on the Calendar and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election.
“On 20th September 2022, the Commission released the Final List of Candidates standing nominated for National Elections (Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates, Senatorial and House of Representative Candidates).
“On 4th October 2022, the Commission will release the Final List of candidates standing nominated in relation to State Elections (Governorship, Deputy Governorship and State Assemblies).
“On 28th September 2022, Presidential and National Assembly campaigns will start while that of Governorship and State Assembly candidates will start on 12th October 2022”.
Reacting to reports that INEC may jettison the use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in next year’s elections, Yakubu said: “The Commission will continue to adhere to set timelines in carrying out its activities going into the election. I want to assure Nigerians that the Commission will deploy and continue to deploy appropriate technology for the conduct of elections.
“The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Result Viewing Portal (IreV) will be deployed for the conduct of the 2023 general election. We will continue to use technology to improve and enhance the credibility of elections in Nigeria. Our goal is electoral justice where every Nigerian will experience electoral fulfillment.”