The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has noted Area Council election timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is impromptu adding that it exposes the contestants, the parties and INEC to more spending.
In a statement Thursday, by the national chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu and national legal adviser, Bar Peter Iyiola Oyewole called on the (INEC) to abide by recognised protocol and standard practice for the FCT council elections.
The party argued that the INEC FCT schedule of activities run contrary to the practice that has been in place since 22 years of democratic dispensation, adding that continuing with the election as it is been scheduled will complicate the already implication of INEC that it is incapable of handling credible and transparent elections.
The statement reads”We note with concern the sudden fixtures of party primaries as in the “TImetable and schedule of Area councils Election” announced by your office on the 31st of March 2021.
“We register our strong reservation and wonder how an election regimen that is well known to produce winners who are to be sworn in not before May 29th 2022 should begin with an impromptu emergency primary nomination exercise.
“The commission fails to understand that the process of getting quality candidates is more important than the election itself. We make the following observations and hereby call on the institution to abide by recognises protocols, just and ethical practices for more efficient electoral system for FCT and the Country.
“That this is the first time since the emergence of the 4th Republic that INEC will not give political parties ample time to plan and host credible, free and fair primary election that will impact positively on the internal Democratic processes of political parties.
‘The Electoral Act 2010 provides for not later than 150 days and not earlier than 90 for the announcement of the election but the Elections, which will hold on 19th February 2022, was announced on 31st March 2021(which is almost one year gap).
We smell rat on the raison d’etre for INEC’s directives for on-the-spot conduct of party primaries in April.
“How can we conduct primary election between 1st and 24th April, 2021 and parties and candidates will have to wait till November to commence campaigns in the public? The party primaries for Anambra State governorship election which comes up in November will be held in June even the announcement was made 3 months ago by the same commission.
“How come this impromptu announcement and schedule of primaries in April for Elections that will hold in February 2022?
“It was observed that political parties were not given adequate notice of the time table for the FCT Area Council Elections. How can the commission announce the Elections on 31st March, 2021 and order that primaries commence immediately and conclude within the month just to have the elected candidates seat without campaigning till November 14, 2021.”
