By Yemi Balogun
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced dates for governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states in 2024.
The governorship election in Edo State will take place on September 21, 2024, while that of Ondo State comes up on Saturday, November 16, 2024.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, in a statement issued Tuesday said the tenure of the current governors of Edo and Ondo states will end on 11th November, 2024, and 23rd February, 2025, respectively.
The Commission said 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 offices.
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 governorship election will hold on Saturday 21st September 2024.”
According to the timetable and schedule of activities for the Edo State governorship elections, party 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 Commission noted that the final list of candidates will 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.
For Ondo State, he said party primaries 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.
The national commissioner added that the final list of candidates will be published 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.
The Commission revealed that a detailed timetable and Schedule of Activities for the two elections have been uploaded to its website and social media platforms.
The Commission appealed to political parties and candidates to note the activities in the timetable for strict compliance.
