Following the judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to include the Young Democratic Party (YDP) on its ballot paper, the party yesterday called on INEC to re-schedule the general elections if it cannot be accommodated on the ballot paper.

The party said, after an emergency meeting in Abuja, that 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.

The National Publicity Secretary of YDP, Barrister Ugo Nwofor, who addressed newsmen shortly after the meeting, said there are only two options available to INEC, which is one, to reprint its ballot papers and include the party with a view to accommodate the party’s candidates.

“If INEC does not have the appropriate logistics for reprinting the ballot papers, then INEC ought to, within the constitutional provision, further re-schedule the general election so as to accommodate our party” he said.

Nwafor said, “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 its governorship/House of Assembly and Presidential and National Assembly primaries for March 26 and 27 respectively.

Consequently, Nwafor said YDP has approved sales of nomination forms as follows: Presidential (N15 million), governorship (N3 million), Senate (N1million), House of Representatives (N500,000) and House of Assembly (N200,000).

“As a gender friendly party, the nomination forms for women in all categories is free, except for a processing fee of N100,000,” he said.

He, however, described the Wednesday’s judgment as victory for democracy, rule of law and triumph over impunity.

•Adapted from Newswatch Times. Photo shows INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega.

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