The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has briefied Nigerians on the preparation for the two Governorship elections, Edo and Ondo State which will be coming up later this year.
According to the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu who made this known during the first regular quarterly consultative meeting for the year 2024 in Abuja on Wednesday stated that the stakeholders meeting remain critical to elections and electoral activities.
He said, “Today’s meeting is coming in the middle of increased activities for the forth- coming off-cycle Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.
“As you are aware, the Edo Governorship election is holding on Saturday 21st September 2024 while that of Ondo State is scheduled for Saturday 16th November 2024.
“This means that we have just six months to the Edo State Governorship election and only eight months before the Ondo State Guber election. It is therefore appropriate to brief you on preparations for the two Guber elections”, he added.
Speaking on Edo State, the Professor disclosed that 18 Political Parties conducted their primaries which was monitored by the Commission.
He said, “Going by the provision of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election, Political Parties have 20 days from 4th March 2024 to upload the list and personal particulars of their candidates to our dedicated web portal.
INEC Boss revealed that as at this morning, eight Parties have done so while expecting the other Parties to do so before the deadline of 6pm on 24th March 2024 when the portal automatically shuts down.
“Thereafter, the Commission will publish the personal particulars of the candidates (Form EC9) on 31st March 2024 for public scrutiny as required by law”, Prof. Yakubu said.
Turning to Ondo State, he said Political Parties will commence their primaries for the Governorship election in the next two weeks, adding that Sixteen Political Parties have indicated interest in participating in the election.
INEC Chairman urged Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to engage with Political Parties and observe their primaries just as they engage with INEC and deploy observers to the main election conducted by the Commission.
Professor Yakubu said to the CSOs, “By doing so, you will strengthen your advocacy for inclusivity for groups such as women, youths and Persons with Disability (PwD) that are under-represented in elective offices at National and State level”.
He reassured that INEC will continue to partner with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), appreciated the observations and recommendations contained in their election observation reports.
“Some of the reforms and innovations introduced by the Commission over the years draw from your observation reports.
“However, while many of you have submitted your reports, some accredited observers are yet to do so for the general election, supplementary elections, off-cycle elections, bye-elections and re-run elections”, he said.
INEC Boss seized this opportunity to remind those that are yet to submit their observation reports that it is mandatory to do so being one of the conditions for eligibility to observe future elections.
“Going forward, the Commission will operate strictly on the policy of “No Observation Report, No Accreditation”, he said.
