The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Delta State has warned parties against holding their congresses and primaries at ‘unholy and unreasonable’ hours.
Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Monday Udoh said such actions will not be tolerated as it violates provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
Udoh spoke yesterday in Asaba, the state capital, during a consultative meeting with political parties and heads of security agencies ahead of the congresses and primaries.
He said the meeting was important towards enhancing positive and inclusive participation of stakeholders in the electoral process.
According to him, INEC has observed ‘some measures within political parties to deliberately shut out some of members from participating in the congresses and primaries’.
Udoh said these measures often come by way of sudden change of venue, even on the day of such congresses and primaries. He, however, said INEC will not encourage activities that breach the Electoral Act, adding that it will report only what it sees and will defend such in any competent court of law.
The REC urged political parties to notify a change of venue to the commission in a letter within 48-hour working days. He called on political parties to ensure internal party democracy and take advantage of the commission’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism to settle disputes arising from its activities.
