By Emmanuel Oloniruha
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the conduct of Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi governorship election for Nov. 11, 2023.
INEC said this in the timetable and schedule of activities for the election issued by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye in Abuja on Tuesday.
Okoye said that INEC at its weekly meeting on Tuesday approved the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the states governorship election.
He said that the decision was in fulfillment of the requirement of Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 which mandated INEC to publish the Notice of Election not later than 360 days before the date of the election.
“ Similarly, Sections 178(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 mandates the Commission to conduct such elections not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of the last holder of the office,” he said.
The tenure of the incumbent governor of Imo would end on Jan. 14, 2024, while that of Kogi would end on Jan. 26, 2024 and Bayelsa would end on Feb. 13, 2024.
“The statutory notice for the election will be published in the three states on Nov. 14 2022.
“Party primaries will be held from March 27 to April 17, 2023 while the online portal for the submission of nomination forms (EC9 and EC9B) by political parties opens at 9 a.m on April 24, 2023 and closes at 6.p.m on May 5, 2023.
“ The final list of candidates will be published on June 9, 2023 while campaign by political parties commences on June 14, 2023 and ends at midnight on Nov. 9, 2023,” he said.
Okoye said that the full timetable and schedule of activities has been uploaded to the commission’s website and social media platforms.
(NAN)
