The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has debunked the news making the rounds that it released an updated or new final list of candidates for the 2023 general election.

The commission said this in a press statement released on Monday and signed by Festus Okoye, chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee.

According to the statement, the commission would only tinker with the current list if mandated by a court order to substitute some candidates.

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The statement reads, “The attention of the Commission has been drawn to reports widely circulated by a section of the media today, Monday 9th January, 2023, that the final list of candidates was released on our website on Sunday 8th January, 2023.

“The commission wishes to state categorically that no new publication of the final list of candidates was released as reported. The public should therefore discountenance the story.

“For the record, the final list of candidates for the 2023 general election at least 150 days before the day of election in accordance with tje provision of Sec. 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022. Accordingly, the final list for presidential and National Assembly elections was published 20th September 2022 while that of governorship and State Assembly was published two weeks later on 4th October 2022. These are clearly indicated as item 8 on the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election released by the Commission on 26th February 2022.

“There cannot be a final lists of candidates with just 46 days to the General Election except for names published as substitutions for candidates nominated earlier in compliance with Court Order. Moreover, some of the candidates that allegedly made the new “final” list are still in court and the matter is therefore subjudice.

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“Political parties, litigants and the public should be guided accordingly.”

The statement was in reaction to a news report by a newspaper, alleging that the commission had released a new list.