The Independent National Electoral Commission has released timetable and schedule of activities for Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi state governorship elections.

This was contained in a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC, Festus Okoye on Tuesday.

INEC revealed that the governorship elections of these three states would hold on November 11, 2023.

According to the Commission, this decision is in fulfillment of the requirement of Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 which mandates the Commission to publish the Notice of Election not later than 360 days before the date fixed for the elections.

Similarly, Sections 178(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 mandates the Commission to conduct such elections not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of the last holder of the office.

The tenure of the incumbent Governor of Imo State ends on January 14, 2024, while those of Kogi and Beyelsa States end on January 26, 2024 and February 13, 2024 respectively.

The statement read in part, “Accordingly, the Commission has decided to conduct the three elections on Saturday November 11, 2023.

The statutory Notice for the elections will be published in the three states on November 14, 2022. Party primaries will be held from March 27, to April 17, 2023 while the online portal for the submission of nomination forms (EC9 and EC9B) by political parties opens at 9.00am on April 24, 2023 and closes at 6.00pm on May 5, 2023.

“The final list of candidates will be published on June 9, 2023 while campaign by political parties commences on June 14, 2023 and ends at midnight on November 9, 2023.

“The full Timetable and Schedule of Activities has been uploaded to the Commission’s website and social media platforms.”

Credit: Punch