43 candidates in the forthcoming general elections risks disqualification by the Independent National Electoral Commission for failing to meet the minimum age requirements for the elective positions they seek as specified in the amended 1999 constitution, Igberetvnews reports.
Igberetvnews gathered that those affected by the decision of the electoral body include a presidential aspirant, three vice presidential candidates, 14 senatorial and 25 House of Representatives candidates.
Also, 102 other candidates maybe affected for having “undefined” identity. They include 23 senatorial and 79 House of Representatives candidates.
INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made the disclosure in the presentation he made at the Council of State meeting on Tuesday, January 22.
He said one of the 72 presidential candidates is less than 35 years of age, which is the minimum age allowed by the constitution
The INEC boss said three of the vice presidential candidates are less than 35 years while 14 senatorial and 25 House of Representatives candidates are less than 30 and 25 respectively, which is the minimum age recommended by the constitution for occupants of the positions.
He also said 17 presidential candidates are within the age bracket of between 35 and 45 years, while 27 are between 46 and 55 years, and 20 between 56 and 65 years. Seven candidates are above 65 years.
For the vice presidential candidates, Professor Yakubu stated that 34 are between the age of 35 and 45, 19 between 46 and 55, 14 between 56 and 65, and two above 65 years.
He also disclosed that 621 senatorial candidates are between 30 and 40 years, 527 between 41 and 50 while 497 are between 51 and 60. He added that 222 are above 60 years old.
According to him, 1, 262 House of Representatives candidates are between 25 and 35 years, 1,603 between 36 and 45 years; 1, 524 between 46 and 60 years while 187 candidates are above 60 years of age.
“The 2019 general elections will be the largest single-day peacetime logistics and security undertaking by the commission since 1999 with 84 million voters, 91 political parties, 23, 213 candidates vying for 1, 558 positions involving over 814,000 electoral officers.
He added that the commission is fully prepared for the enormous task ahead.
“INEC is fully aware of the enormity of conducting the 2019 general elections and will spare no effort safeguarding the integrity and credibility of our elections and consolidation of our democracy,” he said.
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