By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Determined to remove every obstacles on its way to conduct free, fair and credible elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday in Abuja announced the dates for the conduct of two off- season elections in Ekiti and Osun states billed for 2022.
The Commission has scheduled the Gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun states for Saturday, June 18, 2022 and Saturday, July 16, 2022 respectively.
Disclosing the dates for the two Governorship elections in Abuja, the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu who presided over a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), said the detailed timetable and schedule of activities for the two elections have already been uploaded on the Commission’s official website and social media platforms.
Said he: ” In the sequence of off-season elections, the Ekiti and Osun State Governorship elections are holding next year. In keeping with our policy of announcing the dates of elections in advance to enable early and effective preparations by all concerned, the Commission has approved that the Ekiti State Governorship election will hold on Saturday 18th June 2022 while the Osun State Governorship election will hold one month later on Saturday 16th July 2022.
“The detailed Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the two elections have been uploaded on the Commission’s website and social media platforms. We implore political parties and aspirants to ensure rancour-free primaries and thereafter conduct peaceful electioneering campaigns”.
Yakubu had earlier said; “Looking to the near future, the Commission is preparing to conduct the remaining off-season end of tenure elections ahead of the 2023 General Election.
He pointed out that: “Already, activities listed in the timetable for the Anambra State Governorship election are being implemented. So too are those of the FCT Area Council election holding on 12th February 2022”.
Meanwhile, INEC has reiterated its readiness to resume the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) on June 28, 2021.
According to INEC boss the release of the new Polling Units across Nigeria will enable fresh registrants and those seeking transfer to now know the new Polling Units and to choose their preferred locations on Election Day.
INEC has on Wednesday in Abuja announced that after several unsuccessful attempts, Nigeria now has a total 176, 846 full-fledged Polling Units across 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
