New party asks INEC to shift elections

New party asks INEC to shift elections

The Young Democratic Party on Thursday asked the Independent National
Electoral Commission to postpone the forthcoming general elections.
The party said this a day after the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the
commission to register the party as a political party.
At a press briefing in Abuja, the party called on INEC to re-schedule the general
elections if it cannot accommodate it on its ballot paper.
Rising from an emergency meeting in Abuja, the party said contrary to
insinuations, the court did not order INEC to register the party, but rather INEC
was ordered to issue certificate and include YDP in the 2015 general elections.
Addressing journalists shortly after the meeting, National Publicity Secretary of
YDP, Mr. Ugo Nwofor, said there were only two options available to INEC, saying
the commission could either reprint its ballot papers and include the party with a
view to accommodate the party’s candidates or shift the elections.
Nwafor said, “If INEC does not have the appropriation for logistics for re-printing
of its ballot papers, then INEC ought to, within the constitutional provision, further
re-schedule the general election so as to accommodate our party.
“In either of the two options, our party is ready, it has been a long journey for
YDP, we wish INEC would explore the first option.”
He maintained that in compliance with Sections 85 and 87 of the electoral Act,
the party has fixed it governorship/House of Assembly and Presidential and
National Assembly primaries for March 26 and 27 respectively.
Consequently, YDP according to Nwafor has approved sales of nomination forms
as follows; Presidential (N15million), governorship (N3million), Senate (N1million),
House of Representatives (N500,000) and House of Assembly (200,000).
“As a gender friendly party, the nomination forms for women in all categories is
free, except for a processing fee of N100,000,” Nwafor added.
He described the Wednesday’s judgment as victory for democracy, rule of law
and triumph over impunity.