By David Lawani, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the date for off-cycle governorship polls in Edo and Ondo states.
INEC disclosed this yesterday in a statement on X (Twitter), saying the Edo poll will be held on September 21, 2024.
The statement, signed by the Chairman of the INEC Voter Committee, Sam Olumekun, also announced that the governorship election in Ondo State is slated for November 16, 2024.
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The electoral body said party primaries would be held between February 1 and 24, 2024, while the submission of the list of nominated candidates via the online portal would start at 9:00 a.m. on March 4, 2024, and close at 6:00 p.m. on March 24, 2024.
“As provided in Section 178 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), election into the said offices shall be held not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the tenure of the last holder of the office,” the statement read.
It added, “The latest date for election to the office of the 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.”
According to the timetable and schedule of activities for the Edo and Ondo State governorship elections, 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.
