GOVERNORSHIP polls will hold in Ekiti State on July 14, next year and on September 22, in Osun State.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, announced the dates on Thursday, October 5, as it rolled out the programme of activities on the elections.

The tenure of Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State will end on October 15, 2018, and that of Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State will end after two terms on November 28, 2018.

According to the timetable released by the INEC, a run-off election, if necessary, would take place within seven days after the announcement of results in line with relevant laws.

The timetable, signed by Augusta Ogakwu, INEC’s secretary, showed that the commission will  issue notice for the Ekiti State election on April 4, 2018, which is not later than 90 days before the election. Political campaigns will commence on April 15 while collection of forms by political parties for issuance to candidates would come a day after.

Political primaries and resolution of disputes arising from such is slated for April 15 to May 14, 2018.

Notice of election in Osun State will be released on June 23 while campaign for the election is scheduled to  start on June 25.

Collection of forms for the Osun State election has been fixed for June 25, while primaries and resolution arising from disputes must be conducted between June 24 and July 23.

Solomon Soyebi, INEC’s national commissioner and chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, said the commission was guided by the  provisions of section 178(1)and (2) of the 1999 constitution as amended, and section 25(7) and (8) of the electoral Act,2010 in arriving at the dates.

He also restated that the commission’s earlier warning to intending aspirants and their parties that the release of dates for elections did not amount to notice for campaigns for votes. He warned that parties which infringe on provisions of the Electoral Act as amended  would be sanctioned.

“Anybody who deviates from the Electoral guidelines by engaging in public campaign ahead  of the date for commencement of campaign is committing electoral offence and will be prosecuted.

“All political parties and their candidates are hereby enjoined to cooperate with us,” Soyebi said.

– Oct. 6, 2017 @ 17:16 GMT |