Ondo electoral commission postpones LG poll over ‘failure of parties to follow guidelines’

The Ondo Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) has postponed the local government election in the state.

The election, which was due to be held on February 17, has been rescheduled for July 13.

Joseph Aremo, ODIEC chairman, spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting on Tuesday in Akure, Ondo capital.

Aremo said the election was postponed in line with the provisions of extant laws.

“We can’t conduct the election for ourselves, we will only conduct the election when parties comply with the guidelines and when we have valid nominations,” he said.

“We will conduct the election when parties and their candidates turn up for verification and other things that are required as specified in our guidelines and the enabling laws.”

Aremo said some of the provisions of the election guidelines have not been complied with.

He said the postponement was to ensure that the election would reflect the will of the electorate.

“The commission, having met and appraised this situation, came up with the decision that the election is further rescheduled,” Aremo said.

“Election into the office of the chairman and councillors is to be conducted on Saturday, July 13, 2024.

“With the new adjustment in the election timetable, political parties now have from Monday, May 13, to Monday, June 3, 2024 to conduct their primary election.”

He added that the submission of forms and list of candidates will close on Tuesday, June 1.

He said the submission would be followed by campaigns to start on Wednesday, June 5 while electioneering would close at midnight of July 11.

The ODIEC chairman said the commission is ready to conduct a free, fair, and credible council election.