The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has asked members of the public to actively participate by scrutinising the published personal particulars of candidates contesting Ekiti governorship election.
INEC made the call in a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, in Abuja on Wednesday.
The commission urged members of the public to ensure that the sanctity of the electoral process was maintained and the intendment of the Electoral Act realised.
INEC disclosed that it had published the list and personal particulars of the candidates contesting the Ekiti State governorship election in its state office as well as local government offices in the State.
It noted that the publication was in compliance with section 31(3) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended).
The section provides that the Commission shall within seven days of the receipt of the personal particulars of the candidates publish it in the constituency where the candidates intend to contest the election.
INEC recalled that it had on June 10 released the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for Ekiti State Governorship election.
It noted that the timetable provides for the publication of the personal particulars and list of candidates (Form EC9) for the election latest by Friday February 12.
“Similarly, as provided for in section 31(4) of the Electoral Act, any person who has reasonable grounds to believe that any information given by any of the candidates in the affidavit accompanying the information or any document submitted by any of the candidates is false may file a suit at the Federal High Court, High Court of a State or the FCT against such a person.
“We enjoin members of the public to engage the electoral process by scrutinising the personal particulars of candidates contesting the Ekiti governorship election.
“Members of the public should ensure that the sanctity of the electoral process is maintained and the intendment of the Electoral Act realized,” INEC stated.