Six Political Parties Submit Candidate Details for Edo Governorship Election – INEC

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has announced that only six political parties have submitted the details of their candidates for the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State.

With the election scheduled for September 21, 2024, the INEC chairman has warned that no extension will be given in the time already released for parties to upload the details of their candidates, as the portal will automatically shut down on March 24, 2024.

Yakubu made this statement during the first regular quarterly meeting between the commission and the political parties.

He emphasized the importance of adhering to the timetable and schedule of activities for the election, urging political parties to avoid delay tactics that could lead to a heated political atmosphere.

For the Edo State governorship election, political parties have 20 days to upload their candidates’ list and personal details to the dedicated portal, which opened on March 4, 2024.

However, only six parties have done so as of now. The commission has also trained party liaison officers and established a Help Desk to assist political parties in meeting the deadline.

In the case of the Ondo State governorship election, scheduled for November 16, 2024, 16 out of 19 political parties have shown interest in participating.

The primaries for this election will begin on April 6, 2024, and end three weeks later on April 27, 2024.

Yakubu advised political parties to stick to their proposed dates for primary elections and abide by all the guidelines to ensure a smooth process.

He also cautioned against frequent changes in primary dates, as it disrupts the electoral process and leads to unnecessary costs.

As the Edo and Ondo governorship elections draw near, it is essential for political parties to adhere to the guidelines set by INEC to ensure a fair and transparent election process.

With the deadline for candidate details submission fast approaching, it remains to be seen how the remaining political parties will respond to the call for timely submission.