2023: Parties Can Substitute Candidates If… – INEC

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has outlined the conditions for the withdrawal of validly nominated governorship candidates from the 2023 race.

Gatekeepers News reports that political parties that fielded candidates for governorship and State Assembly elections can no longer substitute or withdraw candidates unless on grounds of death and court judgement.

INEC noted this in a statement made available on Wednesday by its National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye.

INEC maintained that the directive is in pursuant of section 34(1) of the new Electoral Act and item eight of the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 general elections.

Okoye also confirmed that 18 political parties have fielded 837 candidates and their running mates for the 28 governorship elections that fall due in 2023.

He recalled that at the end of the process, political parties that conducted valid primaries uploaded the list and personal particulars of all nominated candidates to the commission’s candidate’s nomination portal and the subsequent display in their constituencies nationwide as provided by Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act.

“Subsequently, validly nominated candidates had the opportunity to voluntarily withdraw their candidature by notice in writing and personally delivered such notice to the political party that nominated them for the election. Thereafter, political parties substituted such candidates under section 31 of the Electoral Act for which the last day was August 12, 2022 for State Elections as clearly provided in item six of the commission’s timetable and schedule of activities.

“Thereafter, no withdrawal or substitution of candidates is allowed except in the event of death as provided in section 34(1) of the Electoral Act or pursuant to an order of a Court of competent jurisdiction.”