Kogi, Bayelsa gov elections to hold Nov 21, Dec 5

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the governorship elections of Kogi and Bayelsa states for November 21 and December 5, 2015.

INEC disclosed this on Friday in a notice signed by Chris Iyimoga, the commission’s chairman of information and voter education.

The notice also fixed July 24 to November 19 for political campaigns in Kogi and September 6 to December 3 for Bayelsa.

Politicians were advised to restrict their campaigns to the stipulated periods.

“The governorship election in Kogi is scheduled to hold on Saturday 21st November, 2015, while that of Bayelsa shall be on Saturday, 5th December, 2015,” the notice read.

“Formal notices of the elections shall be issued on or before the 23rd of August, 2015, and 5th September 2015, respectively, in accordance with the provisions of the electoral act, 2010 (as amended).

“Campaign by political parties shall commence on 24th July 2015 and end on 19th November 2015 in Kogi and 6th September, 2015 terminating on 3rd December, 2015 in Bayelsa.

“Political parties are to note that campaigns outside these periods are unlawful and violators are liable to prosecution.

“The political parties and aspirants are to further note that the conduct of the party primaries to nominate candidates for election shall be between 25th August and 15th September 2015 for Kogi and 7th and 30th September, 2015 for Bayelsa state, while the last day for submission of the list of candidates (CF002) and the personal particulars of such candidates (CF001) for governorship and deputy governorship candidates, shall be 14th November, 2015 (Kogi) and 7th October, 2015 (Bayelsa).”

Both states are among the seven states where election did not hold on April 11.