The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed July 14 and September 22, 2018 for the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States respectively.
INEC National Commissioner in charge of Publicity, Adedeji Soyebi made the announcement on Thursday while unveiling the timetable and schedule of activities at a press conference held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
The tenure of the Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, will end on October 15, 2018, while that of Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola expires on November, 26 2018.
According to a breakdown of the timetable for the Ekiti State gubernatorial election, the conduct of party primaries, including resolution of disputes arising from the primaries will take place between April 15 and 14 May, 2018, even as May 15 is the last day for the submission of forms CF001 and CF002 at the INEC headquarters.
While commencement of public campaign by political parties is scheduled for April 4 next year, collection of forms for the election by parties at the INEC headquarters is slated for April 16.
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(CF001) and list of candidates is on May 22, while the last day for withdrawal by candidate(s)/replacement of withdrawn candidate(s) by political parties is May 30, 2018.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 14th June, 2018.
Similarly in Osun, 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 is on 31st July, 2018.
The last day for the withdrawal by candidate(s)/replacement of withdrawn candidate(s) by political parties is on 8th August, 2018.
According to the timetable 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 seven days after the announcement of the result of the election in accordance with Section 179 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja
