THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set February 12, 2022 as the date for the conduct of elections into the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye, released the timetable in Abuja, last Wednesday.
The election, whose activities at party levels are already underway, will be for the offices of chairmen of six area councils and 62 councillorship seats in the FCT. The tenure of the current occupants of the positions will expire in May 2022.
Mr Okoye said the date was one of the decisions taken at the Wednesday meeting of the Commission where wide-ranging issues were also discussed.
Pre-election activities
He disclosed that the collection of Forms EC9 (Formerly CF001) and EC9B (Formerly CF002) for the election would commence on April 1, while the conduct of party primaries and resolution of disputes arising from the primaries would hold between April 1 and April 24, 2021.
“The personal particulars of the candidates will be published on June 5 and the parties will commence campaigns on November 14,” Okoye said, adding that the final list of nominated candidates would be published on January 11, 2022.
He said by virtue of Section 108(1) and (3) and 113(1)(a) &(b) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), elections into all Area Councils should be held at the same date and time throughout the FCT.
“This shall take place not earlier than 150 days before and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of that office.
“By section 113 of the Electoral Act, an Area Council shall stand dissolved at the expiration of a three-year period starting from the date the Chairman took the Oath of Office, or when the legislative arm of the Council was inaugurated whichever is earlier,” he said.
Mr Okoye recalled that the six chairmen and the councillors of the area councils were elected on March 9, 2019, and sworn in on May 19, 2019
“By paragraph 1 (c) of the Commissions Guidelines and Regulations, where the end of the tenure of a council did not coincide with a general election year, the election will hold on Saturday closest to 100 days.
“The 100 days must be to the end of the tenure of the elected officials of the area councils.
“In the exercise of the powers conferred on it by the Constitution, the Electoral Act and other powers enabling it in that regard, the Commission has fixed February12, 2022 for FCT area councils’ election.
“Consequently, the Commission hereby issues the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election,” Okoye said, and enjoined all the registered political parties to pay close attention to the timelines and schedule of activities outlined in the timetable and schedule of activities.
He also advised political parties to conduct credible primaries that guarantee a level playing field for all aspirants to avoid any litigation.
He urged them to observe due diligence on all forms and documents that would be submitted to the Commission.
