The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled Sept. 19 for the by-election into the Udu Constituency of the Delta State House of Assembly.
The Delta State House of Assembly had on June 30 declared the seat vacant following the defection of its occupant, Collins Ogbetama, from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The Delta Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Etekamba Udo-Umoren, disclosed this on Friday in Asaba at a news conference on the commission’s preparations for the election.
Udo-Umoren said the vacancy was formally declared by the state assembly and communicated to INEC, which was constitutionally responsible for conducting the by-election.
“What is important here is that the vacancy has been declared, INEC has been informed and INEC is carrying out its constitutional responsibility,” he said.
The REC said INEC headquarters had directed the state office to commence preparations for the election, adding that the process had begun with the issuance of the election notice.
“We have received a letter from our headquarters directing us to prepare for the by-election.
“The by-election has been declared and the timetable has also been issued,” he said.
Udo-Umoren said political parties that participated in the 2023 general election would be eligible to participate in the by-election and urged them to submit notices of their primaries to INEC.
He said party primaries would hold from Aug. 21 to Aug. 25, with INEC monitoring the exercise in line with electoral guidelines.
According to him, political parties would submit their nomination forms through the commission’s nomination portal from Aug. 29 to Sept. 2, while the list of nominated candidates would be published on Sept. 8.
He added that campaigns would commence on Sept. 9, while the deadline for the submission of polling agents’ names would also apply in accordance with the timetable.
The REC said the final day for campaigns would be Sept. 17, urging political parties and candidates to comply strictly with the prescribed schedule.
“The last day of campaign for political parties is on Sept. 17. All manners of campaign will end on that day,” he said.
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Udo-Umoren assured voters in the constituency that INEC would complete all necessary preparations before election day to ensure a smooth and credible exercise.
He also urged journalists to verify information with the commission before publication, warning that inaccurate reports could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
“When you have any time they want to reach out to us, it’s better to clarify information than publish wrong information,” he said.
The REC described the media and INEC as partners in strengthening the electoral process and called for continued cooperation to promote development in Delta State and Nigeria.
“Like I said, we are partners in progress. We need to move the local government forward. We need to move Delta forward. And we also need to move Nigeria forward,” he said.
