The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, have released the time table for the conduct of by-election for Aba North and South Federal Constituency in Abia State.
The seat became vacant as a result of the death of Hon. Ossy Prestige, member representing
Aba North/South Federal Constituency of Abia State in the House of Representatives and
the subsequent declaration of vacancy for the Federal Constituency by the National
Assembly.
According to Festus Okoye Esq., the National Commissioner & Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, “the Commission has fixed Saturday 27 March 2021 for the conduct of the bye-election to fill the vacant seat for the Aba North/South Federal Constituency of Abia State.
“The official notification for the election will be published on Monday 1 March 2021,” the statement said.
Giving further details on the timetable, Barr. Okoye said: “Political Parties shall conduct their primaries between 4h and 10h March 2021 while the last day for Submission of list of nominated candidates is at 6pm on the l6th March 2021.
“Political Parties shall submit the names of their Poling Agents for the election to the Electoral Officers of the respective Local Govemments on or before 19 March 2021 and campaigns by political parties shall stop on 25th March 2021.
“The Access Code for the nomination forms shall be available for collection from 10
March 2021 at the Commission’s headquarters.
He also advised that;” Political parties fielding candidates for the bye-election should pay close attention to the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the conduct of the bye-election and conduct transparent and valid party primaries in line with the dictates of Section 87 of the Electoral Act 2010 (As amended).
“We enjoin political parties to note that under section 31(8) of the Electoral Act, a political
party which presents to the Commission the name of a candidate who does not meet the
qualifications stipulated in the Constitution and the Electoral Act shall be guilty of an offence and on conviction shall be liable to a maximum fine of N500, 000.00.
“The detailed Timetable and Schedule of activities has been uploaded on the Commission’s website and social media platforms,” the statement concluded.
