The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has fixed the governorship polls in Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi states for November 11, 2023.
The Commission approved the timetable at its weekly meeting yesterday. The primaries by political parties have been fixed to hold from March 27 to April 17, 2023.
A statement was released by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of, the Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye.
He said: “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 Bayelsa states end on January 26, 2024, and February 13, 2024, respectively.
“Accordingly, the Commission has decided to conduct the three elections on 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 9.00 am on April 24, 2023, and closes at 6.00 pm 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.”
