By Ayodele Oni, Akure
Amid fears that the Edo Governorship election scheduled for September 19, could be postponed over fears of violence,
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said both the Edo and Ondo states Governorship elections will go on as scheduled.
INEC says despite suggestions to postpone the polls, that would not be the case.
The Commission has fixed September 19 and October 10, respectively, for elections in those states.
INEC Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Chief Festus Okoye, disclosed this on Wednesday in Akure, Ondo state, during a workshop on Election Processes and Procedures for Journalists.
According to the INEC chief, the elections would not be postponed because the Commission has no power to do so and that governors and their deputies in those states have constitutional time lag.
“It is only political and legislative power that can be used to postpone elections. INEC has no such power. Section 305 of the constitution Empowers the President to declare a state of emergency and the section explains when this can be done. The President can only extend the tenure not beyond six months.”
“Tenure of each governor in Nigeria is four years according to the constitution. Edo will leave on November 11, 2020, not earlier than 150 days and 30 days to the end of tenure, election must hold.
“When the constitution inputs a date within the frame work, the implication is you cannot change it amend it, any election after stipulated dates is null and void.”
Okoye pointed out that in organizing elections, INEC makes provision for possible second ballot in case a winner does not emerge during the first balloting and, that in line with the constitution, there must be clear 30 days to the end of tenure of the sitting government.
Okoye disclosed further that INEC does not conduct election, it only provides policy guidelines, saying no staff of the Commission can serve as Polling Clerk or Presiding Officers.
He stated that despite the Covid 19 pandemic ravaging the world over, the elections in the two states will be conducted in line with the Covid 19 protocols.
Okoye also said that INEC is contemplating making elections in the country to be completely technology-compliant, but that the Commission is hindered by law.
