2019 elections: INEC to disqualify 43 candidates over age issues

– One presidential candidate and three vice presidential candidates may be affected as the electoral body’s hammer fall on erring party officials

– 14 senatorial and 25 House of Representatives candidates might also be affected by the electoral commission

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may disqualify 43 candidates for failing to meet the minimum age requirements specified in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) for candidates seeking elective offices.

Tracknews.ng checks reveals that one presidential candidate and three vice presidential candidates may be affected as the electoral body’s hammer fall on erring party officials. 14 senatorial and 25 House of Representatives candidates might also be affected by the decision of the electoral commission.

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, New Telegraph reports.

He said one of the 72 presidential candidates is less than 35 years of age, which is the minimum age allowed by the constitution

He 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.

“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 added.

Meanwhile, the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) has said that the credibility and preparedness of INEC to conduct free, fair and credible elections in the forthcoming 2019 elections is not in doubt.

The national chairman and presidential candidate of the FJP, Dr. Abraham Breakforth, said this on Tuesday, January 15, in Abuja at the end of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) meeting and maiden state of the nation address.

According to Dr. Breakforth, those opposing the commission have no business participating in the coming elections, adding that the FJP is convinced that the commission is the most improved institution in the country