By Balarabe Oshiafi
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of the names and qualifications of 17 candidates, among them one lady, who will contest the next governorship election in Edo State come September 21, 2024.
This was disclosed in a press release signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voters Education Committee of INEC, Sam Olumekun, a copy of which was made available to ExpressDay in Abuja on Monday.
INEC said that “the Commission is pleased to announce the publication of the final list of candidates for the Edo State Governorship Election. Following the initial primaries, the Commission published the personal particulars of the Governorship candidates and their running mates in our State and Local Government offices in Edo State”.
Olumekun further said, “in line with the provision of Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, some political parties conducted fresh primaries to replace their earlier nominated candidates by the deadline of 15th April 2024. The Action Alliance (AA) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) replaced their Governorship candidates and their running mates.
“In addition, the African Action Congress (AAC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Boot Party (BP) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) replaced the running mates of their candidates only.”
Disclosing that Edo State is the Heart beat of the Nation and is conscious of sub national civic responsibility, the electoral umpire said, “seventeen (17) political parties are fielding candidates in the election. Sixteen (16) are male while one (1) is female. 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.”.
INEC went further to announce that that campaigns have started and encouraged political parties and their and their agents “commence political campaigns in public”
According to the national commissioner: “With the publication of the final list of candidates for the Edo State Governorship Election, the next activity is electionering campaign.
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 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.
“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″.
