Abuja—The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of candidates for Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states governorship elections scheduled to hold on Saturday 11th November 2023.
According to the Commission, the approval was given at the end of its regular meeting on Tuesday.
In a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Barr. Festus Okoye, INEC noted that the decision is in line with the provision of Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022.
The statement reads in part:
“The final list has been uploaded to the Commission’s website and social media platforms. Same will be published in our State and Local Government offices in the the affected States on Thursday 8th June 2023 ahead of the statutory deadline of 9th June 2023.
“The list shows that all 18 political parties are fielding candidates in Kogi State, 17 in Imo State and 16 in Bayelsa State.
“The list also shows that two political parties are fielding female candidates in Bayelsa State, one in Kogi State and none in Imo State.
“The Commission wishes to remind political parties and candidates that in line with Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the three elections, campaign in public officially commences on Wednesday 14th June 2023 in line with Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 and ends on 9th November 2023 i.e. 24 hours prior to election day.”
Meanwhile, the Commission also condemned an incident involving the convoys of two political actors in Kogi State resulting in the destruction of vehicles and other properties.
The statement urged parties and candidates to conduct their political activities with civility and decorum as peaceful electioneering heralds a peaceful election.
“Political parties and candidates have a responsibility to de-escalate tension ahead of the elections,” the statement concluded.