The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced its intention to publish the personal particulars of candidates participating in the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States. The elections are slated for November 11, 2023, as revealed in a statement issued by INEC spokesperson Festus Okoye on Thursday.

According to Okoye, a total of 18 political parties have nominated candidates for the Kogi governorship election, while 17 parties have put forth candidates for the Bayelsa and Imo States elections. In compliance with the electoral process, all participating political parties have submitted completed Forms EC9, which contain the personal details of the candidates, supported by sworn affidavits. Additionally, Forms EC9B, containing the names of the candidates, have also been submitted.

Section 29 (3) of the Electoral Act 2022 mandates the Commission to publish the personal particulars of candidates. Consequently, the INEC National Commissioner stated, “The Commission shall publish the personal particulars of the candidates in the State Headquarters and Local Government offices in the three States tomorrow, Friday 12th May 2023.”

In light of this development, INEC has urged Nigerians to carefully scrutinize the published list. Specifically, any individual who participated in their party’s primaries and has valid reasons to suspect that the information provided by a candidate is false, can challenge the nomination at the Federal High Court. This provision is outlined in section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022.

As the electoral process progresses, transparency and accountability remain pivotal for a credible and fair election. INEC’s commitment to ensuring accurate candidate information allows citizens to make informed choices and fosters a robust democratic process.