This week, between Wednesday and Friday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will begin awarding Certificates of Return to Governors-elect, Deputy Governors-elect, and States Assembly members.
In an early Sunday morning statement, Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairperson of its Information and Voter Education Committee made this announcement.
He reported that the Commission met on Saturday, March 25th, 2023, and debated on a variety of topics, including the issuance of Certificates of Return to individuals elected in the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections conducted by the Commission on March 18th.
According to Section 72(1) of the Electoral Act of 2022, the Commission is required to issue a certificate of return within fourteen days to each candidate who has been declared lawfully elected.
“In accordance with the aforementioned regulation, the Commission has scheduled the issuing of certificates of return to Governors, Deputy Governors, and State Assembly members-elect for March 29, 30, and 31, 2023. The presentation will occur in INEC offices in each of the Federation’s fifty states.
Okoye stated, “Specific dates for the issue of certificates shall be communicated to those elected by the Resident Electoral Commissioners and Administrative Secretaries of the several States.”
