18 registered political parties under the aegis of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) have again urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to shift the deadline for the conduct of primaries by one week.

IPAC had earlier sought a two-month extension, of the deadline for primaries, a demand which was rejected by INEC.

INEC had reviewed its schedules for the 2023 general elections in February after President Muhammadu Buhari assented to the 2022 Electoral Act.

In compliance with the new Electoral Act, the commission fixed April 4 to June 3 for parties to elect their flag bearers for the 2023 general election.

However, the National Chairman of IPAC, Yabagi Sani, at a meeting with the commission in Abuja on Friday, urged INEC to again review the timetable.

Sani said the parties would be able to conduct free and free primaries if given more time by INEC.

He said: “The fact is that anything one is doing for the first time, you may make some mistakes.

“And we feel that if we’re given more time, we’ll be able to deliver on the promise of having free and fair elections as we conduct our primaries.

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“This meeting is coming on the heels of the meeting which the leaders of political parties had, where we unanimously considered it very important to seek another round of thoughts of your commission in view of the timetable,” the IPAC Chairman stated.

Responding, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the commission would not change its June 3 deadline for the primaries of the 18 political parties.

Yakubu stated that the meeting held on Friday was distinct from its regular consultative meeting because it was specifically requested by the political parties.

“We just heard from the chairman of IPAC who, on behalf of the political parties, has once again requested a review of our election timelines.

“It appears that the proposition this time around is different from the request made by IPAC for which the commission has responded emphatically that an extension between 30 and 60 days will not be entertained. In view of the overlapping activities.

“It appears that the parties have now presented a more defined request for what the chairman calls for a little adjustment,” Yakubu said.

The INEC Chairman noted that a statement will be issued after a working session with the parties.

The Star