Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially declared the deadline for campaign activities related to the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.
During a consultative meeting with political party leaders, INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu announced that campaign activities, which commenced on April 24, 2024, would conclude at midnight on September 19, 2024, in line with legal requirements.
The Edo State Governorship election is scheduled for September 21, 2024, while the Ondo Governorship election will take place on November 16, 2024.
Yakubu stressed the importance of adhering to deadlines, especially regarding the uploading of polling and collation agents’ lists to the dedicated portal.
This process, according to him, is crucial for ensuring smooth operations during the elections.
The electoral body also announced the resumption of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in both states to allow new registrants and those wishing to transfer their registration to participate in the electoral process.
“Let me reiterate that the CVR is only open to new registrants and those who seek to transfer their registration,” Yakubu stated.
Political parties were urged to strictly follow nomination deadlines, especially for submitting the list of candidates and running mates, with no extensions expected beyond the specified dates.
Yakubu urged political parties in Edo State to strictly adhere to the deadline for uploading the list of polling and collation agents to the dedicated portal. This timely submission is crucial for INEC to produce and deliver identity cards promptly to the expected 76,823 polling unit agents and 3,587 ward, local government, and state collation agents representing the 17 participating political parties.
Political parties in Ondo State have been given until 6 pm on Monday, May 20, to submit nominations for candidates.
Yakubu stressed the one-week timeframe leading to the deadline and clarified that the portal would automatically shut down at the specified time, with no extensions granted.
INEC explained that the measures outlined are meant to ensure a transparent, orderly, and fair electoral process in both states.