The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said on Sunday that it was yet to fix a date for the publication of its corrected list of candidates for next year’s elections, following submissions by political parties and candidates over omitted names.

The list for National Assembly Elections contained names of candidates who may have violated the provisions of the Electoral Act following the judgment of the Supreme Court on section 77 of the Act

However, the commission excluded such candidates from the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections, prompting protests from political parties and their candidates. Still, it gave those affected until October 24 to submit their complaints.

The All Progressives Congress also wrote to the Commission, seeking implementation of the Supreme Court judgment.

The commission, however, said it was processing all corrections submitted by political parties and candidates, along with relevant court orders, and would publish them once ready.

The Director of Information and Voter Education at INEC, Victoria Eta-Mesi, told The Nation that the commission will effect the necessary corrections but has not set a date for releasing the updated list.

In a one-paragraph response to enquiries by The Nation, she said: “All corrections submitted by other parties and candidates together with Court Orders are being effected, and will be published once ready. No date has been fixed for the publication”.

The development comes amid legal and political concerns over the omission of some candidates’ names from the published list, following the Supreme Court judgment and INEC’s directive inviting aggrieved parties and candidates to submit their complaints and relevant court orders.

INEC’s position indicates that it is reconciling the submissions and implementing applicable court orders, but it has yet to announce when it will make the corrected list public.

However, a high-ranking source within the commission said it is currently reviewing all submissions from candidates and political parties and will address them on their merits.

The source said, “The commission received complaints and will review them according to their merit and in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act and the Constitution. Those who, in accordance with the law, will be included, and those that failed the legal test will not be part of the election.

“Don’t forget, some of the candidates and parties are also in court, and when the judgment comes, the commission will review and comply accordingly.

Meanwhile, the name of Olawepo Hashim had yet to be uploaded to the Commission website as the Accord Party candidate at the time of this report.

Although it is unclear why the Commission has not uploaded the name despite a statement by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, that the Commission will respect the judgement, the Nation gathered that the delay may be related to the party’s filing.

The National Chairman of Accord, Maxwell Mgbudem, told The Nation that the party has appealed the judgement but failed to provide details of the appeal. (The Nation, excluding headline)