The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has scheduled July 14, 2018 for the conduct of Ekiti State governorship election.
The Commission has similarly slated the Osun State governorship election for September 22, 2018. The dates for the two elections were contained in a separate timetable and schedule of activities released on Thursday in Abuja by the Commission and signed by its Secretary, Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu.
The INEC National Commissioner in charge of Publicity, Prince Adedeji Shoyebi announced the time table and schedule of activities at a press conference held at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
While the tenure of the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose will expire on 15th October, 2018, that of his Osun State counterpart, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola expires on 26th November, 2018.
The commencement of public campaign by political parties in Ekiti State, according to the time table and schedule of activities, has been scheduled for 4th April next year, while collection of forms for the election by parties at the INEC headquarters is slated for April 16, next year.
The conduct of party primaries including resolution of disputes arising from the primaries will take place between April 15 and 14th May, 2018, while May 15 has been listed as the last day for the submission of forms CF001 and CF002 at the INEC headquarters.
Publication of personal particulars of candidates (CF001) and list of candidates is on May 22, while the last day for withdrawal by candidate(s)/replacement of withdrawn candidate(s) by political parties is May 30, 2018.
The last day for the submission of nomination forms by political parties is on June 13, with the publication of official register of voters for the election slated for June 14, 2018.
In the case of Osun governorship election, notice of election, according to the timetable and schedule of activities, is on 23rd June, 2018, while the commencement of campaign by political parties in public is fixed for 24th, June, 2018.
Collection of forms for the election by parties at INEC headquarters is scheduled for 25th June, 2018, while conduct of party primaries including resolution of disputes arising from same will take place between June 24 and 23rd July, 2018.
The last day for submission of forms CF 001 and CF002 at INEC headquarters is on 24th July, 2018, while publication of personal particulars of candidates (CF001) and list of candidates will on July 31, 2018.
The last day for the withdrawal by candidate(s)/replacement of withdrawn candidate(s) by political parties is on August 8, 2018. According to the time table and schedule of activities for the two elections, run-off election to the office of the Governor of a State (if any) will be held within 7 days after the announcement of the result of the election in accordance with section 179 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”
The Commission explained that by virtue of section 178(2) of the constitution of the Nigeria, 1990 (as amended) and section 25 (8) of the Electoral Act 2011 (as amended), “elections into the said office shall hold not earlier than one hundred and fifty (150) days and not later than thirty (30) days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder.
“The Commission is by virtue of section 30 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2011 (as amended) expected to issue notice for the election not later than ninety (90) days before the date of the election.”
