The Young Democratic Party on Thursday asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to postpone the forthcoming general elections.
The party said this a day after the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the commission to register the party as a political party.
At a press briefing in Abuja, the party called on INEC to re-schedule the general elections if it cannot accommodate it on its ballot paper.
Rising from an emergency meeting in Abuja, the party said contrary to insinuations, the court did not order INEC to register the party, but rather INEC was ordered to issue certificate and include YDP in the 2015 general elections.
Addressing journalists shortly after the meeting, National Publicity Secretary of YDP, Mr. Ugo Nwofor, said there were only two options available to INEC, saying the commission could either reprint its ballot papers and include the party with a view to accommodate the party’s candidates or shift the elections.
Nwafor said, “If INEC does not have the appropriation for logistics for re-printing of its ballot papers, then INEC ought to, within the constitutional provision, further re-schedule the general election so as to accommodate our party.
“In either of the two options, our party is ready, it has been a long journey for YDP, we wish INEC would explore the first option.”
He maintained that in compliance with Sections 85 and 87 of the electoral Act, the party has fixed it governorship/House of Assembly and Presidential and National Assembly primaries for March 26 and 27 respectively.
Consequently, YDP according to Nwafor has approved sales of nomination forms as follows; Presidential (N15million), governorship (N3million), Senate (N1million), House of Representatives (N500,000) and House of Assembly (200,000).
“As a gender friendly party, the nomination forms for women in all categories is free, except for a processing fee of N100,000,” Nwafor added.
He described the Wednesday’s judgment as victory for democracy, rule of law and triumph over impunity.
