By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
Barley 155 days to the Ondo State governorship election, The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday announced that campaign activities could commence from Wednesday.
The Commission also announced the publication of 17 candidates, their running mates and political parties that made the final list.
In a statement signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education, the Commission announced that the authenticated list containing details of personal particulars of the governorship candidates and their running mates are also available in the State and Local Government offices.
It also informed that in line with the provision of Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, two (2) political parties New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) conducted fresh primaries to replace their earlier nominated candidates and their running mates by the deadline of 10th June 2024 while five (5) parties replaced their running mates namely African Action Congress (AAC), the Action Democratic Party (ADP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
“Overall, seventeen (17) political parties are fielding candidates for the election. No political party has nominated a female candidate while one (1) candidate nominated by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is a person with disability (a paraplegic). The final list also gives the breakdown of the candidates by age and academic qualifications.
“The list has been published at our office in Akure and also uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information” the Commission stated.
On the commencement of campaign activities, the commission continued,
“As provided by Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, campaign by Political Parties in public shall commence not earlier than 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day.
“Therefore, Political Parties are now permitted to start campaign in public from Wednesday 19th June 2024 and end at midnight on Thursday 14th November 2024 as indicated in items 8 and 12 of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election”.
The Commission reminded parties and candidates to carry out their campaign activities in conformity with extant laws.
“As parties commence this critical phase of the election, the Commission once again reminds candidates, agents and their supporters of the provision of the law and the Commission’s guidelines governing such activity. For emphasis, parties shall conduct their campaigns with civility and decorum devoid of inciting language, violence, voter inducement and other infractions in accordance with the provisions of Section 92-97 of the Electoral Act 2022”.
The Ondo State Governorship Election is scheduled to hold on Saturday 16th November 2024.
