2019 ELECTIONS: 23,000 candidates for 1558 seats, INEC gives stats of candidates

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given a breakdown of the statistics of candidates contesting different positions in the February 16 and March 2 general elections.

According the electoral umpire, over 23,000 candidates are contesting 1558 seats across the country.

The Chairman of the commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu gave this information on Tuesday at the Police Headquarters in Abuja when he led other members of the commission to brief the new Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu on its plan for the election.

Mahmood said there were a total of 119, 973 polling units for the election while 73 candidates are contesting the only position in the presidential constituency.

1,904 candidates will be contesting for 109 Senatorial seats; with over 4,600 candidates contesting for 360 Federal Constituency seats; and over 14,600 candidates will compete for 991 State Constituencies.

He said, “There will be governorship elections in 29 states, for which we have 1,068 candidates vying for 29 governorship seats at state level and then in the FCT, we have 68 constituencies made up of 6 Area Council Chairmen, and 62 councils.

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“In all, we have 806 candidates in the FCT. On the whole in 2019, over 23, 000 candidates will be competing for 1,558 seats,” the INEC boss stated.

While speaking, the police IG emphasised the necessity of conducting a credible poll while advising policemen to remain unbiased and neutral during the election.

“This is a crucial election that we are getting into and the election must be free, fair and credible.

“Police official must be seen to be neutral and give every party a level playing field to do what they are supposed to do,” he said.

Others at the event included Deputy Inspectors General of the Police, Assistant Inspectors Generals of Police and Police Commissioners from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on preparations for the 2019 polls at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

By Babatunde Alao…

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