…Charges parties on strict compliance to timetable, schedule of activities
By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has rolled out the timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of Edo and Ondo governorship elections, fixing September 21 and November 16 next year respectively for the two states.
INEC, in a statement signed by National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, also revealed that the release was in line with the provision of Section 178 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
It further explained that the election into the said offices shall hold not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the tenure of the last holder of the office.
The commission noted that while the tenure of the Governor of Edo state will end on 11th November 11, 2024 that of his Ondo states counterpart will end on February 23, 2025.
The statement equally revealed that while the party primaries for the Edo guber poll will hold from February 1- 24 that of Ondo state will hold from April 6- 27 next year.
“Similiarly, Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 requires the commission to publish Notice for the Election not later than 360 days before the date of the election.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by the Constitution and the Electoral Act, the commission issues the timetable and schedule of activities for the Edo and Ondo State governorship elections as follows: the governorship election will hold on Saturday 21st September 2024.
“Party primaries will hold from 1st – 24th February 2024 while the submission of the list of nominated candidates via the online portal will start at 9.00am on 4th March 2024 and close at 6.00pm on 24th March 2024.
The final list of candidates will be published on 23rd April 2024 while campaign in public by political parties commences on 24th April 2024 and ends 24 hours prior to election day on 19th September 2024,” the statement read.
On Ondo, the commission noted that; “the governorship election will hold on Saturday 16th November 2024. Party primaries will hold from 6th – 27th April 2024 while the submission of the list of nominated candidates via the online portal will start at 9.00am on 29th April 2024 and close at 6.00pm on 20th May 2024.
The final list of candidates will be published on 18th June 2024 while campaign in public by political parties commences on 19th June 2024 and ends 24 hours prior to election day on 14th November 2024,” the commission noted in the statement.
It announced that the detailed timetable and schedule of activities for the two elections have been uploaded to the commission’s website and social media platforms.
INEC however warned that; “by this ample notice as required by both the Constitution and the Electoral Act, the commission appeals to political parties and candidates to note the activities in the timetable for strict compliance.”
