The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says it has scheduled the Edo state Governorship election to hold on September 21, 2024, while the Ondo State governorship election will be held on Saturday 16th November 2024.
The commission said the tenure of the governors of Edo and Ondo States will end on 11th November, 2024 and 23rd February, 2025 respectively, hence its decision to release the time table and the schedule of activities.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun in a statement issued noted that as provided in Section 178 (2) of the Constitution, 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.
Olumekun said, “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.”
The commission revealed that party primaries would hold from 1st – 24th February 2024; while the submission of the list of nominated candidates via the online portal would start at 9.00am on 4th March 2024 and close at 6.00pm on 24th March 2024.
The commission added that the final list of candidates would be published on 23rd April 2024 while campaigning in public by political parties commences on 24th April 2024 and ends 24 hours prior to election day on 19th September 2024.
Olumekun stressed that party primaries would start from 6th – 27th April 2024, while the submission of the list of nominated candidates via the online portal would start at 9.00am on 29th April 2024 and close at 6.00pm on 20th May 2024.
He noted that the final list of candidates will be published on 18th June 2024 while campaigning in public by political parties commences on 19th June 2024 and ends 24 hours prior to election day on 14th November 2024.
The commission revealed that a detailed timetable and schedule of activities for the two elections have been uploaded to the Commission’s website and social media platforms.
It, however, called on the political parties and candidates to note the activities in the timetable for strict compliance.