INEC Warns Parties On Suits

Political parties participating in the September 19 governorship poll in Edo State should desist from obtaining conflicting court orders and judgments, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warned on Tuesday.

In a statement in Abuja, by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, the electoral umpire said aside from the huge cost such orders constitute to the nation, they can mar the smooth conduct of primaries and the elections.

Okoye noted that as part of INEC’s commitment to deepen the use of technology in elections, it has concluded plans to train Liaison Officers nominated by all the registered Political Parties on the use of the INEC Portal for uploading nomination forms of candidates.

The statement added: “Political parties should note that the organisation and scheduling of various activities and processes leading to the conduct of elections are complex and involve extensive and careful planning and any disruption of these processes comes at a huge cost to the nation.

“The spate and tenor of pre-election litigations and the conflicting orders emanating therefrom can harm the smooth conduct of primaries and the upcoming elections.

“The commission is closely monitoring the cases arising from the administration of political parties, conduct of primaries and nomination of candidates.”