INEC FIXES CONDUCT OF BYE-ELECTION INTO RIMBA/EBAGI WARD OF ABAJI AREA COUNCIL OF FCT

Oru Leonard

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has fixed the conduct of bye-election into the vacant seat of Rimba/Ebagi Ward of Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Saturday 24th April 2021.

According a press release signed by Festus Okoye Esq., the National Commissioner & Chairman,
Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, the vacancy arose as a result of the death of Hon.Usman Wodi, Councillor representing Rimba/Ebagi Ward of Abaji Area Council of FCT and the subsequent declaration of vacancy for the Ward by the Abaji Area Council.

Okoye disclosed that the official notification for the election will be published on Wednesday 31st March 2021. Political Parties shall conduct their primaries between 3rd and 10th April 2021 while the last day for submission of list of nominated candidates is at 6pm on the 14th April 2021.

He also directed the Political Parties to submit the names of their Polling Agents for the election to the Electoral Officer of the Local Government on or before 16th April 2021 and campaigns by Political parties shall stop on 22nd April 2021.

“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 to 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”, he cautioned.

TThe Access Code for the nomination forms shall be available for collection from 10th April 2021 at the Commission’s headquarters.

The detailed Timetable and Schedule of activities has been uploaded on the Commission’s website and social media platforms.