The ruling All Progressive
Congress party (APC) and the major opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP), are yet to submit their audited financial reports containing expenses
for the 2019 general elections, as required by law.
The chairman, Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC), Yakubu Mahmood, made this known on
Monday. Mr Mahmood also said only one political party has submitted its
financial report. There are 91 registered political parties in Nigeria,
according to INEC’s website.
He urged other political leaders
to abide by the law.
The INEC chairman said this at a
meeting with political parties on Monday, while reviewing the processes and
procedures it used in 2019 general election in Abuja.
”It is important to remind us
that as we review the 2019 General Elections in order to identify successes,
challenges and the way forward, we should also ask ourselves the extent to
which we have complied with the extant laws,” he said.
The INEC boss explained that the
2010 Electoral Act as amended, requires all political parties to submit two
election expenses reports to the Commission, as provided for in Section 93(4).
Mr Mahmood however, noted that
although the political parties are still within the time frame provided by law
to do the needful, ”so far, only one party has filed its returns”.
The Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted the presidential and National Assembly
elections on February 23, while governorship and state assembly elections were
held on March 9.
Supplementary elections in five
states were also held in March.
He further said the law also
requires political parties to submit the audited returns of their election
expenses within six months after the conclusion of an election as provided for
in Section 92(3)[a] of the Electoral Act.
”The first requirement contains
the disclosure of material contributions received from individuals and
corporate bodies three months after the announcement of the results of the
General Election as provided for in Sec. 93(4) of the Electoral Act. So far, no
political party is in compliance.
”Secondly, parties are required
to submit audited returns of their election expenses within six months after an
election as provided for in Sec. 92(3)[a] of the Electoral Act.
”Although we are still within the
time frame provided by law, so far, only one party has filed its returns.
”Similarly, the Commission notes
that only one presidential candidate has submitted financial expenses report.
We wish to remind leaders of political parties of their obligations under the
law,” Mr Mahmood said.
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