As part of the preparations to conduct a successful 2020 gubernatorial Election in Ondo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given a formal notice for the commencement of all the electoral processes and procedures as contained in the election timetable released earlier in February 2020 by the Country’s Electoral Umpire.
Addressing newsmen at the State Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Akure recently, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo State, Dr. Rufus Akeju stated that “in compliance with section 30 (1) of the Country’s Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), and also in conformity with the scheduled election timetable for Ondo State Gubernatorial Election, the Independent National Electoral Commission in Ondo State has posted the Notice Of Election today, Wednesday, 1st July, 2020 as required by law”. According to the Akeju, he said: ” this Notice could be seen at the State Office in Alagbaka, Akure and in all the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the State”.
Akeju went on to inform newsmen that the Commission has suspended the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the state owing to the COVID 19 pandemic ravaging the world at this period.
He noted that the suspension of the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) would no longer allow any window of opportunity for new registrants to register, distribution of Permanent Voters Cards, transfer of Registration and replacement of lost or defaced PVCs to do so at this time until situation on COVID 19 pandemic improves.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the State explained further that as a result of section 78 (7) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) which has empowered INEC to de-register political parties; he informed newsmen that the Commission has successfully de-registered seventy – four (74) political parties remaining eighteen (18) active political parties in the Country.
He advised the remaining eighteen (18) political parties eligible to participate in elections in the State to adhere to the election timetable released by INEC regarding the conduct of the political parties primaries expected to take place between Thursday 2nd, July to Saturday 25th, July 2020 so as not to contravene the INEC guidelines or attract any sanction from the Electoral Umpire.
In addition, Akeju counselled political actors and gladiators in Ondo State to live up to expectations, play their political games according to the dictates of the extant laws, as well as that of the regulations and guidelines of their political parties to enable them promote democratic values in the State. He also said: “I urge you at all times to be guided by the ethics of democratic norms and ensure they direct you to conduct yourselves well to sustain and build the integrity of the Electoral Processes”.
Packaged By Emmanuel Adeniran
