The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) today released the timetable and schedule of activities for both the Ekiti and Osun states’ governorship elections.

But National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Prince Solomon

Adedeji Soyebi who unveiled the details at the Commission’s headquarters Abuja, also cautioned political parties not to see the development as a Notice of Election.

Prince Soyebi revealed that while the Ekiti governorship election will hold on 14^th July, 2018, Osun state’s will take place on 22^nd September the same year. He explained that since the Ekiti State governor’s tenure and his counterpart’s in Osun State will expire on 15^th October and 26^thNovember 2018 respectively, Section 178 (2) of the country’s 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 25 (8) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) had stipulated that election into the office of governor should be held not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder.

He said: “The Commission is by virtue of Section 30(1) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) expected to issue a notice for the election not later than 90 days before the date of the election.”

For the Ekiti poll, the “Notice of Election” will be issued on 4^th April 2018. Campaign by political parties will be allowed between 15^th April and12th July. Forms for the election will be available for interested political parties on 16^th April and they are to conduct their primaries and resolve all disputes arising therefrom between 15^th April and 14^th May. The last day for the submission of Forms CF001 and CF002 at the INEC headquarters is 15^th May.

Personal particulars (CF001) and list of candidates will be published on 22^nd May, just as 30^th May is the last day for the withdrawal/replacement of candidates by political parties. Deadline for the submission of nomination forms by political parties is 13^th June, to be followed by a publication of the final list of nominated candidates on 14^th June. The Register of Voters and Notice of Poll will also be published on 14^th and 30^th June respectively. The names of party agents for the election must be tendered to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) by 30^th June.

For the Osun poll, Prince Soyebi averred that the “Notice of Election” would be issued on 23^rd June 2018. Campaigns by political parties will be allowed between 24^th June and 20^th September. Forms for the election will be available for interested political parties on 25^th June. Parties are to conduct their primaries and resolve all disputes between 24^th June and 23^rd July, while 24^th July is the last day for the submission of Forms CF001 and CF002 at the INEC headquarters.

Publication of personal particulars (CF001) and list of candidates will be done on 31^st July, just as 8^th August is the last day for the withdrawal/replacement of candidates by political parties. Deadline for the submission of nomination forms by political parties is 22^nd August, to be followed by a publication of the final list of nominated candidates on 23^rd August. The Register of Voters and Notice of Poll will also be published on 23^rd August and 7^th September respectively. Submission of names of party agents for the election to the Resident Electoral Commissioner must be done by 8^th September.

A run-off election to the office of governor, if the need arises, will be held within seven days after the announcement of the election result, in accordance with Section 179 of the 1999 Constitution.

1. Time Table and Schedule Of Activities For Ekiti State Governorship Election, 2018
2. Time Table and Schedule Of Activities For Osun State Governorship Election, 2018