The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said 18 political parties have expressed interest in participating in the Anambra gubernatorial elections scheduled for November 6.
INEC chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu revealed this during the commission’s second quarterly meeting with political parties in Abuja on Thursday.
Yakubu said all 18 political parties had scheduled their primaries for the elections in accordance with the dates set in the calendar released by the commission.
“In the case of the CTF regional council elections, the political parties concluded their primaries for the 68 constituencies made up of six regional council presidents and 62 councilors.
“In total, 14 of the 18 political parties nominated 110 candidates for presidential / vice-presidential posts and 362 candidates for councilor posts.
“In total, 14 political parties nominated 472 candidates to run for 68 elected positions in the FCT.
“An infographic distribution of nominations by regional councils is included in your files for this meeting,” he said.
Yakubu urged party leaders to call on their candidates for peace in the Anambra gubernatorial election, CTF regional council polls and other upcoming by-elections.
“As you know, a number of by-elections and major end-of-term elections are scheduled ahead of the 2023 general election.
“This weekend, two by-elections are being held in Kaduna State for the constituency of Sabon Gari State in which five political parties present candidates.
“Jigawa State for the federal constituency of Gwaram where ten political parties are participating.
“We have made all the arrangements for these by-elections, including the sensitive documents that will arrive today in both constituencies. So far, the processes have gone without hard feelings.
“We urge you to appeal to your candidates and supporters to maintain the current peaceful atmosphere.
“For the pending by-elections, I want to assure you that as soon as a vacation is declared by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, we will publish the schedule.
“The calendar of the federal constituency of Jos North / Bassa in Plateau State and the federal constituency of Lere in Kaduna state”, (NAN)
