Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed July 14, 2018 and September 22, 2018 for governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States respectively.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Voter Education and Publicity, Prince Solomon Soyebi disclosed this while reading the timetables and schedule of activities for the elections on Thursday in Abuja.
The tenure of Ekiti State incumbent governor, Ayo Fayose would end on October 15, 2018 while that of his Osun State counterpart, Rauf Aregbesola would end on November 26.
According to Soyebi, the release of the dates was in line with the requirements of the Electoral Act and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He said that in fixing the dates for the elections, the commission considered national festivals and public holidays, going by its experience in the conduct of Edo State governorship election.
“Anybody who deviates from the electoral guidelines by engaging in public campaign ahead of the date for commencement of campaign is committing electoral offence and will be prosecuted.
“All political parties and their candidates are hereby enjoined to cooperate with us,” Soyebi admonished.
According to timetables and schedules of activities signed by the Secretary to the commission, Mrs Augusta Ogakwu and read by Soyebi, the notice for Ekiti State election would be released by INEC on April 4, 2018.
The commission also fixed April 15, 2018 for the commencement of campaign by political parties, and April 16 for collection of forms.
The conduct of party primaries, including resolution of disputes arising from the primaries, had been scheduled to hold between April 15, 2018, and May 14, 2018, while the last day for submission of forms is May 15, 2018.
INEC will publish personal particulars and list of candidates on May 22, 2018, while the last day for withdrawal and replacement of candidates is May 30, 2018.
The last day for the submission of nomination forms by political parties is fixed for June 13, 2018.
The commission also fixed June 14, 2018 for the publication of official register of voters and final list of nominated candidates for the election, while notice of poll would be published on June 30, 2018.
For Osun State, the notice of election would be issued on June 23, while campaign by political parties would commence on June 24 and end on September 20, 2018.
According to the timetable, the collection of forms will be on June 25, 2018 and the last day for the submission of forms is July 24, 2018.
The commission also scheduled conduct of primaries including resolution of disputes arising from primaries for between June 24, 2018 and July 23, 2018.
The publication of personal particulars and list of candidates will be on July 31, 2018, while August 8, 2018 is the last day for withdrawal by candidates or replacement by political parties.
According to the timetable, the publication of official register of voters and final list of candidates for the election is slated for August 23, 2018.
It added that the publication of notice of poll would be done on September 8, 2018 with the submission of names of party agents on the same day. (NAN)