INEC picks Nov 11, 2023 for Imo, Kogi, Bayelsa governorship elections

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed governorship elections in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa states for Saturday, November 11, 2023.

National Commissioner and Chairman (Information and Voter Education Committee), Festus Okoye, disclosed this in a statement, yesterday.

Okoye said the decision was in fulfilment 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 poll.

He said Sections 178(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 also 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.

While the tenure of the incumbent governor of Imo State ends on January 14, 2024, Okoye said those of Kogi and Bayelsa States end on January 26, 2024, and February 13, 2024.

“Accordingly, the commission has decided to conduct the three elections on Saturday, November 11, 2023,” Okoye stated.

He added: “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 submission of nomination forms (EC9 and EC9B) by political parties opens at 9:00 a.m. on April 24, 2023, and closes at 6:00 p.m. 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 have been uploaded to the commission’s website and social media platforms.”