INEC: No final list of candidates published after October 2022

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says there is no “new” final list of candidates for the 2023 general election.

Earlier on Monday, there were reports that the commission published the final list of candidates for the general election on January 8.

According to the reports, INEC listed Bashir Machina as the candidate for Yobe north senatorial candidate.

Meanwhile, the commission left the spot meant for the Yobe senatorial district blank when it published its final list of candidates in September 2022.

In a statement on Monday, Festus Okoye, INEC’s national commissioner and chairman, information and voter education committee, said the reports on a “new final list” are false and asked the public to disregard them.

“For the record, the final list of candidates for the 2023 General Election was published at least 150 days before the day of election in compliance with the provision of Sec. 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022,” the statement reads.

“Accordingly, the final list for Presidential and National Assembly elections was published on 20th September 2022 while that of Governorship and State Assembly elections was published two weeks later on 4th October 2022.

“These are clearly indicated as item 8 on the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election released by the Commission on 26th February 2022.

“There cannot be a final list of candidates with just 46 days to the General Election except for names published as substitutions for candidates nominated earlier in compliance with Court Order.

“Moreover, some of the candidates that allegedly made the new “final” list are still in Court and the matter is therefore subjudice.

“Political parties, litigants and the public should be guided accordingly.”