The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the final list of candidates for the Edo state governorship election.
INEC made the list of the 17 Edo gubernatorial candidates public in a statement by spokesman, Sam Olumekun, on its X handle on Monday.
INEC said following the initial primaries, it published the personal particulars of the governorship candidates and their running mates in its state and local government offices in Edo.
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“In line with the provision of Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, some political parties conducted fresh primaries to replace their earlier nominated candidates by the deadline of 15th April 2024,” INEC said.
“The Action Alliance (AA) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) replaced their governorship candidates and their running mates.
“In addition, the African Action Congress (AAC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Boot Party (BP) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) replaced the running mates of their candidates only.”
Of the 17 candidates in the gubernatorial election in Edo state, 16 are male while one is female.
With the publication of the final list of candidates for the Edo governorship election, the next activity is electioneering campaign.
As provided by Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, INEC said campaign by political parties in public shall commence not earlier than 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day.
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Political parties are, therefore, permitted to start campaign in public from Wednesday, April 24 and end at midnight on Thursday, September 19 as indicated in items 8 and 12 of the timetable and schedule of activities for the election.
INEC has reminded candidates, agents and their supporters of the provision of the law and the commission’s guidelines governing such activity.
“For emphasis, parties shall conduct their campaigns with civility and decorum devoid of inciting language, violence, voter inducement and other infractions mentioned in Sections 92 – 97 of the Electoral Act 2022,” INEC said.
The Edo state governorship election is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
