INEC fixes dates for 2022 Ekiti, Osun governorship polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed June 18, 2022 for Ekiti governorship election and July 16, 2022 for the same exercise in Osun state.

The INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this on Wednesday at the Commission’s meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja.

Yakubu, said that the commencement date of the campaign and other detailed timetable and schedule of activities for the two elections were uploaded on the Commission’s website and social media platforms.

“In the sequence of off-season elections, the Ekiti and Osun State Governorship elections are being held next year.

“In keeping with our policy of announcing the dates of elections in advance to enable early and effective preparations by all concerned, the Commission has approved that the Ekiti State Governorship election will be held on Saturday June 18 2022.

“The Osun State Governorship election will be held one month later on Saturday July 16, 2022.

“We implore political parties and aspirants to ensure rancour-free primaries and, thereafter, conduct peaceful electioneering campaigns,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that according to the timetable and schedule of activities for the two elections, INEC would release a notice for Ekiti State governorship election on Jan. 3, 2022

The commission also scheduled conduct of parties’ primaries for the state election between Jan. 4, to Jan. 29, 2022.

He stated that campaigns by political parties would begin by March 20, 2022 and end on June 16, 2022, while the final list of candidates for the election will be released on May 19, 2022.

For Osun state, the notice of election according to the timetable would be issued on Feb. 15, 2022.

Alao, parties’ primaries and resolutions of disputes arising from the exercise are scheduled to hold from Feb. 16, 2022 to March 12, 2022.

The campaigns by political parties for the state election is expected to start from April 17, 2022 and end on July 14, 2022.

Yakubu stated that April 8, 2022 is scheduled as the last day for withdrawal/replacement of candidates by political parties, and June 16 2022 for publication of final candidates for the Osun governorship election.

Yakubu said that looking to the near future, the Commission was preparing to conduct the remaining off-season end of tenure elections ahead of the 2023 General Election.

He said that already activities listed in the timetable for the Anambra State Governorship election were being implemented.

“So too are those of the FCT Area Council elections held in Feb. 12, 2022,” Yakubu said.