…amends election timetable, says schedule remains unchanged

By Jubril Bada

The Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) has reaffirmed January 18, 2025, as the date for the conduct of local government elections in the state.

The ODIEC Chairman, Dr Joseph Aremo, made this known in a statement issued in Akure, dismissing speculations of any change to the schedule.

He emphasised the Commission’s commitment to conducting free, fair, and credible elections across the state’s 18 local government areas.

Aremo, however, announced some amendments to the election timetable.

According to the revised schedule, the last day for the submission of forms for particulars and lists of candidates by political parties is now Tuesday, December 17, 2024. The last day for substitution of candidates is Thursday, December 19, while the publication of particulars and lists of candidates is set for Friday, December 20. The final day for the submission of nomination forms also falls on December 20, 2024.

Verification of candidates is now slated for Monday, December 23, and Tuesday, December 24. Campaigns by political parties are scheduled to commence on Thursday, December 26, and will end at midnight on Thursday, January 16, 2025. The publication of the validated list of candidates is now fixed for Friday, December 27, 2024.

Other amendments include the submission of applications by prospective ad-hoc staff through the electoral officer of each local government or the Director of Operations at ODIEC’s headquarters in Akure. This will take place between Friday, December 27, 2024, and Monday, January 6, 2025. The publication of the notice of polls has been rescheduled to Monday, December 30, 2024.

Additionally, applications from prospective election observers are to be submitted between Monday, December 30, 2024, and Monday, January 6, 2025.

The Commission urged all participating political parties to adhere strictly to the amended timetable and work in alignment with the guidelines.