The Indepedent National Electoral Commission has fixed November 6 for the gubernatorial election in Anambra State.
INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, made the comment in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.
The commission urged political parties to ensure the conduct of credible, free and fair primaries to avoid needless litany of litigations after the election.
Similarly, the commission called on the parties to create level playing field for all aspirants and to ensure a holistic screening of documents before their submission to the electoral umpire.
Okoye advised political parties to closely follow the time table and schedule of activities as provided for by the constitution.
Okoye said that stakeholders of the commission deliberated on a number of issues on the planned conduct of the election including the timetable and schedule of activities on Tuesday.
He urged political stakeholders to support the commission’s effort to deploy technology to conduct free, fair and credible polls in the country.
“We urge all the stakeholders to support the Commission’s efforts to strengthen the electoral process, including the deployment of technology to deliver free, fair and credible elections.
“We also enjoin political parties to conduct rancour-free primaries, guarantee level playing field for all aspirants and conduct necessary due diligence on all forms and documents that will be submitted to the Commission.
“The Commission is concerned about the spate of acrimonious primaries as well as the nomination of unqualified candidates, which results in avoidable litigations, and the nullification of elections by Election Petition Tribunals.
“We urge all the stakeholders to support the Commission’s efforts to strengthen the electoral process, including the deployment of technology to deliver free, fair and credible elections..,
“Constitutionally and statutorily, the tenure of the Governor of Anambra State will expire on the 17th March 2022 and the earliest date for the Election into the office of Governor, Anambra State, shall be 18th October 2021 and the latest date for the election shall be 15th February 2022.
“In the exercise of the powers conferred on it by the Constitution, the Electoral Act and all other powers enabling it in that regard, the Commission has fixed 6th November 2021 as the date for the conduct of the Anambra State Governorship election. Consequently, the Commission hereby issues the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election.” He said