The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released timetable and schedule of activities for the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states as tenures of the governors of both states draw closer.
According to a statement by INEC National Commissioner for and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, the Edo governorship election will hold on Saturday, September 21, 2024 while that of Ondo will hold on Saturday November 16, 2024.
For Edo State, 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.
Party primaries for Ondo State 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.
Publication of the final list of candidates will be 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.
According to INEC, the detailed timetable and schedule of activities for the two elections have been uploaded to the Commission’s website and social media platforms.
The Commission appealed to political parties and candidates to note the activities in the timetable for strict compliance.
The tenure of the Governors of Edo and Ondo States will end on 11th November 2024 and 23rd February 2025 respectively.
As provided in Section 178 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), 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.
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.
