Edo governorship election: INEC lifts ban on campaign
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has lifted the ban on campaigns ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State. The commission has announced April 24, 2024, for the official commencement of electioneering.
The electoral umpire has urged political parties to campaign with civility and comportment devoid of inciting language.
The National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumwkun, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, noted that with the publication of the final list of candidates for the poll, the next activity was full-blast electioneering.
He added that the commencement of the campaign was in compliance with the provision of the timetable and schedule of activities as earlier released by the Commission as provided for in the Electoral Act.
“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,” he said.
“Therefore, political parties are now permitted to start the campaign in public from Wednesday, 24th April 2024 and end at midnight on Thursday, 19th September 2024, as indicated in items 8 and 12 of the timetable and schedule of activities for the election,” he added.
“As parties commence this critical phase of the election, the commission 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 mentioned in Sections 92 – 97 of the Electoral Act 2022.
“The Edo State governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, 21st September, 2024. Therefore, political parties are now permitted to start the campaign in public from Wednesday 24th April 2024, and end at midnight on Thursday 19th September 2024 as indicated in items 8 and 12 of the timetable and schedule of activities for the election,” he stated.
Olumekun said the commission was pleased to announce the publication of the final list of candidates for the 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.
“The final list, which also gives the breakdown of the candidates by age, academic qualifications and disability, has been published at our office in Edo State and also uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information,” the commission added.
