By David Onimisi Lawani
The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has charged political parties on the need to conduct free, fair, and credible party primaries.

Mahmood gave this charge in a remark during its quarterly meeting with political parties held at the national headquarters of the commission in Abuja.

He noted that it is unfortunate that the failure of political parties to conduct up to standard party primary election has now made election results declared by the commission to be reversed by courts.

According to him: ” I would like to remind political parties about the recent letters written to you by the Commission on the imperative of complying with the provisions of the law as well as our regulations governing the conduct of party primaries and nomination of candidates.

” The Commission is not happy that candidates for elections are now being determined through litigation long after elections have been concluded and winners declared by INEC. The problem lies squarely with the conduct of party primaries and the nomination of candidates by some political parties. We urge you to hold yourselves to the same high standard of free, fair, and credible elections that you hold INEC in all elections.

“You must ensure strict compliance with your party Constitutions, the law, and the Commission’s regulations and guidelines on party primaries in particular and the management of party affairs in general. After all, Nigerians only exercise their democratic right to elect leaders from the candidates presented by political parties. Electing good leaders begins with the quality of primaries conducted by political parties. We will do our part to ensure that our elections continue to improve”, he said.

The INEC boss also said that political parties must comply with Electoral provisions which states after the election parties should submit reports of their activities before the commission noting that only a few parties have submitted there’re after the Edo and Ondo governorship election.

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He said: ” May I also draw your attention to your obligation under Sections 92 (3) and 93(4) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) which require political parties to submit to the Commission their election expenses reports within six months and election contribution report within three months after the declarations of the result of an election.

” We have reminded political parties of these obligations in respect of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections held last year. However, only seven out of 14 political parties have responded in the case of Edo State and 8 out of seventeen for Ondo State. We wish to remind political parties of the consequences of the failure to do so as enshrined in the Electoral Act. We, therefore, expect all defaulting parties to comply in earnest as you prepare for forthcoming elections”, he added.