Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Monday, denied releasing a list of candidates for the 2023 general elections.
Gatekeepers News reports that INEC Spokesman, Festus Okoye urged Nigerians to disregard reports that the Commission released a final list of candidates cleared for the 2023 general election.
Okoye said INEC could not publish the final list with just 46 days to the commencement of the 2023 general elections.
“For the record, the final list of candidates for the 2023 General Election was published at least 150 days before the day of election in compliance with the provision of Sec. 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022,” the statement reads.
“Accordingly, the final list for Presidential and National Assembly elections was published on 20th September 2022 while that of Governorship and State Assembly elections was published two weeks later on 4th October 2022.
“These are clearly indicated as item 8 on the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election released by the Commission on 26th February 2022.
“There cannot be a final list of candidates with just 46 days to the General Election except for names published as substitutions for candidates nominated earlier in compliance with Court Order.
“Moreover, some of the candidates that allegedly made the new “final” list are still in Court and the matter is therefore subjudice.
“Political parties, litigants and the public should be guided accordingly.”
