The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially announced the dates for the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states, which will take place in 2024.
The governorship election in Edo State is scheduled to be held on September 21, 2024, while the election in Ondo State will take place on Saturday, November 16, 2024.
According to the statement issued by Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, the current governors’ tenures in Edo and Ondo states will end on 11th November, 2024, and 23rd February, 2025, respectively.
INEC, in adherence to Section 178 (2) of the Constitution, has set the timeframe for the elections to be not earlier than 150 days, and not later than 30 days, before the expiration of the tenure of the last holders of the offices.
Olumekun stated, “The latest date for Election to the office of Governor, Edo State, is 12th October 2024, while that of Ondo State is 24th January 2025. Similarly, 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.”
Referring to the timetable and schedule of activities for the Edo State gubernatorial elections, Olumekun stated that party primaries are scheduled to be held from 1st – 24th February 2024. 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. The campaign in public by political parties will commence on 24th April 2024 and end 24 hours prior to election day on 19th September 2024.
Regarding Ondo State, the party primaries are scheduled from 6th – 27th April 2024. 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. The campaign in public by political parties will commence on 19th June 2024 and end 24 hours prior to election day on 14th November 2024.
INEC has uploaded a detailed timetable and schedule of activities for both elections on its website and social media platforms.
The Commission appeals to political parties and candidates to take note of the activities in the timetable and ensure strict compliance.
