INEC Reveals Dates and Schedules for Edo and Ondo State Governorship Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the dates for the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States. According to a statement by Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, the Edo State governorship election will take place on September 21, 2024, while the Ondo State governorship election is scheduled for November 16, 2024.

 

Olumekun explained that the current governors’ tenures in Edo and Ondo States are set to end on November 11, 2024, and February 23, 2025, respectively. These election dates align with the constitutional provision in Section 178(2) of the Nigerian Constitution, which mandates that such elections should be held not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the incumbent’s tenure.

 

The latest possible date for the Edo State governorship election is October 12, 2024, while that of Ondo State is January 24, 2025. Additionally, Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, stipulates that the Commission must publish the election notice not later than 360 days before the election date.

 

In compliance with these provisions, INEC has issued a timetable and schedule of activities for the Edo and Ondo State governorship elections:

 

For the Edo State election:

 

Party primaries are scheduled to take place from February 1 to February 24, 2024.

The submission of nominated candidates’ lists via the online portal will begin on March 4, 2024, and close on March 24, 2024.

The final list of candidates will be published on April 23, 2024.

Political parties can commence public campaigning from April 24, 2024, with campaigning ending 24 hours before the election day on September 19, 2024.

For the Ondo State election:

 

Party primaries will occur from April 6 to April 27, 2024.

Submission of nominated candidates’ lists via the online portal will begin on April 29, 2024, and close on May 20, 2024.

The final list of candidates will be published on June 18, 2024.

Political parties can begin public campaigning from June 19, 2024, and conclude 24 hours before the election day on November 14, 2024.

INEC has made the detailed timetable and schedule of activities available on its website and social media platforms and urges political parties and candidates to adhere strictly to these timelines.

 

By Osaiyekemwen Confidence