INEC Announces Dates for Edo and Ondo Gubernatorial Elections

In a recent development, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially announced the dates for the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states in 2024. These elections hold significant importance as they will determine the future leadership of these states.

According to the statement released by Sam Olumekun, the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, the governorship election in Edo State is scheduled to take place on September 21, 2024. On the other hand, the election in Ondo State will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024.

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It is worth noting that the current governors of Edo and Ondo states will complete their tenures on November 11, 2024, and February 23, 2025, respectively. As per the provisions of Section 178 (2) of the Constitution, the election for these offices must be held not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the last holder’s tenure.

“The latest date for the election to the office of Governor, Edo State, is 12th October 2024, while that of Ondo State is 24th January 2025,” stated Olumekun. He further highlighted that Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, mandates the Commission to publish a notice for the election no later than 360 days before the election date.

The governorship election in Edo State is scheduled to be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024. To ensure a fair and transparent electoral process, INEC has provided a detailed timetable and schedule of activities for the Edo State governorship elections. The party primaries are set to take place from February 1 to February 24, 2024. Moreover, the submission of the list of nominated candidates via the online portal will begin on March 4, 2024, at 9.00 am and close on March 24, 2024, at 6.00 pm.

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The final list of candidates will be published on April 23, 2024. The campaigning in public by political parties will commence on April 24, 2024, and conclude 24 hours before the election day on September 19, 2024. It is essential for political parties and candidates to adhere strictly to the activities outlined in the timetable.

For the Ondo State governorship election, the party primaries are scheduled to be held from April 6 to April 27, 2024. The submission of the list of nominated candidates via the online portal will commence on April 29, 2024, at 9.00 am and close on May 20, 2024, at 6.00 pm. The final list of candidates will be published on June 18, 2024.

Campaigning in public by political parties will begin on June 19, 2024, and conclude 24 hours before the election day on November 14, 2024. It is of utmost importance for political parties and candidates to familiarize themselves with the timetable and ensure compliance with the outlined activities.

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To provide easy access and transparency, INEC has uploaded a detailed timetable and schedule of activities for both elections on its official website and social media platforms. This move aims to keep all stakeholders informed and engaged throughout the electoral process.

In light of these announcements, INEC appeals to all political parties and candidates to carefully note the activities outlined in the timetable and ensure strict compliance. This will help maintain a level playing field and foster a credible and transparent electoral process.

The upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states hold immense significance for the political landscape of Nigeria. As the country looks forward to these elections, INEC remains committed to upholding its mandate of conducting free, fair, and credible elections.