The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially scheduled the dates for the Edo and Ondo governorship elections. According to the released timetable and schedule of activities, the Edo governorship election will take place on September 21, 2024, while the Ondo governorship election is set for November 16, 2024.
The announcement was made by Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee. The timetable provides a comprehensive outline of the key dates leading up to the elections.
For the Edo governorship election, the party primaries are scheduled to be held from February 1 to February 24, 2024. The submission of the list of nominated candidates will start on March 4, 2024, and close on March 24, 2024. The final list of candidates will be published on April 23, 2024. The campaign period for political parties will commence on April 24, 2024, and end 24 hours before Election Day on September 19, 2024.
In the case of the Ondo governorship election, the party primaries will take place from April 6 to April 27, 2024. The submission of the list of nominated candidates is set to begin on April 29, 2024, and conclude on May 20, 2024. The final list of candidates will be published on June 18, 2024. The campaign period for political parties will start on June 19, 2024, and end 24 hours before Election Day on November 14, 2024.
Mr. Olumekun emphasized that the issuance of the timetable and schedule of activities for the two states’ governorship elections is in line with the powers vested in INEC by the Constitution and the Electoral Act. He also pointed out that the tenure of the governors of Edo will end on November 11, 2024, while that of Ondo will terminate on February 23, 2025.
As per Section 178(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), elections for the said offices must take place not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the previous governor’s term. The latest possible date for the Edo governorship election is October 12, 2024, and for the Ondo governorship election is January 24, 2025.
In compliance with Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which requires the Commission to publish the Notice for the Election no later than 360 days before the date of the election, Mr. Olumekun announced that a detailed timetable and schedule of activities have been uploaded to INEC’s website and social media platforms.
INEC is urging political parties and candidates to carefully review the activities outlined in the timetable and ensure strict adherence. With the timely release of the election schedule, all stakeholders have ample notice and opportunity to adequately prepare for the upcoming elections.
By NAN
