By Mumini AbdulKareem
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared a total number of 390 candidates for Governorship and state Assembly elections in Kwara State scheduled for next month.
This was contained in the list of candidates released by the Commission on Thursday.
According to the list which was signed by INEC’s National Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, while about 32 candidates will be vying for the governorship ticket in Kwara State, 358 will contest for the 24 House of Assembly seats in the state.
Over thirty parties will take part in the exercise, according to the list released by the commission.
The list has however become a subject of disagreement between the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the national headquarters of INEC.
While the PDP insisting that it met the deadline for the replacement of candidate citing the electoral act, the Commission maintained that its last day for such exercise remains November 17, 2018.
The Electoral Act provides that replacement of candidate lapsed 45 days to the election.
The PDP is in court over the matter which is expected to rule on the matter on February 8, 2019, the last day that INEC said the collection of the Permanent Voters Card (PVCs) will close.
The court is to decide who among the Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed and Senator Rafiu Ibrahim will contest Kwara South senatorial ticket for 2019.
Full list of the political parties on page …..
