By Ifeanyi  OKOLIE, Warri
As the debate over  the substitution of candidates in the Delta State re-run election continues, a  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in the state, Chief John Eghrujakpo, says there is provision in the Electoral Act which allows a political party to substitute its candidate if the need arises.

In a statement, weekend, Eghrujakpo said it was wrong for people to say that political parties cannot substitute candidate in the Delta State re-run election when it is clearly stated in the 2010 Electoral Act that political parties are allowed to substitute  their candidates if the need arises.

He stressed  that  the Electoral Act states by that a political party could substitute its candidate  either  if the candidate dies, resigns or indicted by a law court.

“It is wrong to state that a party cannot substitute a candidate in  Delta State.

”For instance, Section 34 of 2010 Electoral Act clearly states that no political party shall be allowed to change or substitute its candidate whose name has been submitted except in the case of death or withdrawal by the candidate,” he added.

”Section 35 of the Electoral Act further explains that a candidate may withdraw its candidature by notice in writing signed by him and delivered by himself to the political party that nominated him for the election and the political party shall convey such withdrawal to the Commission,” Eghrujakpo said, stressing that, in such circumstance, a political party has the legal right to substitute its candidate.

He further argued that such candidate can also be substituted if he is indicted or convicted by the court of a criminal offence.