The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the final list of candidates for the upcoming Ondo State Governorship Election.
Following the initial primaries, the Commission published the personal particulars of the Governorship candidates and their running mates in the State and Local Government offices.
Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, announced in a statement on Thursday that with the publication of the final list of candidates, the next step is the electioneering campaign.
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According to him, “In line with the provision of Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, two (2) political parties conducted fresh primaries to replace their earlier nominated candidates and their running mates by the deadline of 10th June 2024.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) are the two parties mentioned. Additionally, five parties have replaced only their running mates. These parties are the 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 political parties are participating in the upcoming election. None of these parties have nominated a female candidate. However, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has nominated one candidate with a disability (a paraplegic). The final list of candidates also includes detailed information on their ages 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”, he said.
Speaking on the commencement of campaign by political parties in public, he stated that 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 campaigning 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.
“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”, he said .
The Ondo State Governorship Election is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 16, 2024.
