From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as released the timetable for the conduct of Ekiti and Osun States governorship elections, fixing July 14 and September 22, 2018, respectively, the polls. 

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Voter Education and Publicity, Prince Solomon Soyebi, unveiled the timetable and schedule of activities for the elections yesterday, in Abuja.

Soyebi pointed out that the tenure of the Ekiti incumbent governor, Ayodele Fayose, would expire on October 15, 2018, while his Osun  state counterpart, Rauf Aregbesola, would end on November 28, 2018.

While emphasising that the release of the dates was in line with the requirements of the Electoral Act and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Soyebi said the commission considered national festivals and public holidays in fixing the dates based on its experience in the conduct of Edo governorship election.

He, however, warned political parties against commencement of political campaigns ahead of the time stipulated in the timetable. He said although election dates were released ahead of time, there is a schedule for campaign.

“Anybody who deviates from the Electoral Guidelines by engaging in public campaign ahead of the date for the  commencement of campaign is committing electoral offence and will be prosecuted. All political parties and their candidates are hereby enjoined to cooperate with us,” he said.

According to the  timetable and schedule of activities signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs Augusta Ogakwu, and presented to the media by Soyebi, the notice for Ekiti election would be released by INEC on April 4, 2018.

The commission also fixed April 15, 2018 for the commencement of campaign by political parties, and April 16 for collection of forms.

The conduct of party primaries, including resolution of disputes arising from the primaries, is scheduled to hold between April 15 and May 14, 2018, while the last day for submission of forms is May 15, 2018.

“The commission would publish personal particulars and list of candidates on May 22, 2018, and the last day for  the withdrawal and replacement of candidates is May 30, 2018. The last day for the submission of nomination forms by political parties is fixed for June 13, 2018”, the commission explained.

INEC also fixed June 14, 2018 for the publication of official register of voters and final list of nominated candidates for the election, while notice of poll would be published on June 30, 2018.

For Osun state, the notice of election would be issued on June 23, while campaign by political parties would commence on June 24 and end on September 20, 2018.

According to the timetable for Osun, the collection of forms was fixed for June 25 and the last day for the submission of the forms for July 24, 2018. The Commission has  also scheduled the  conduct of primaries , including resolution of disputes arising from primaries, for  between June 24 and July 23, 2018.

It also fixed July 31, 2018 as date for the publication of personal particulars and list of candidates and August 8, 2018 as  the last day for the withdrawal by candidates or replacement by political parties.

The timetable further indicated that the publication of official register of voters and final list of candidates for the election would come up on August 23, 2018, adding that the publication of notice of poll would be done on September 8, 2018 and submission of names of party agents  on the same date.