By Ayodele Oni
Non compliance by political parties with guidelines, has led to the postponement of Local government election in Ondo state earlier scheduled to hold on Saturday.
Political watchers in the state expressed the view that the change on the leadership of the state, following the death of former governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, led to the shift in date.
The chairman of Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission, (ODIEC), Dr. Igbekele Aremo who announced a shift in the date of local government elections said it will now hold on Saturday 13th July, 2024.
Dr. Aremo disclosed this on Tuesday, while meeting with stakeholders and party leaders at the commissions head office in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
According to him, the shift in election date was primarily due to non compliance of political parties in meeting up with the election timetable.
Going through the rescheduled timetable, Aremo noted that the last day for submission of forms for particulars of candidates by political parties is now Tuesday 4th, June while political parties can commence campaign by 5th June, 2024.
“Collection and submission of nomination forms is to start by same 5th June to 7th June, 2024 just as verification of candidates will start from 11th June to 13th June, 2024.
“Publication of list of validated candidates is scheduled for 17th June, while the last day for campaign by political parties will be midnight of 11th July, 2024.
“Election for Chairmanship and councilorship is now rescheduled and fix for Saturday 13th July, 2024.”
While assuring stakeholders that the commission, which is guided by enabling laws and guidelines is poised to conduct the election and ensure the votes of the people counts, Dr. Igbekele urged parties most especially to conduct themselves in manners as stipulated within the law.
He said ODIEC’s job is to provide a template that ensures free and fair election and that as an umpire, it cannot conduct election without the full participation of political parties.
Aremo also charged political parties to take seriously their role of voter education stressing also that the commission will conduct training for them in the course of the year.
In attendance at the meeting were stakeholders including representatives of security agencies as well as leaders of political parties.
Responding, the state Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC)Chairman, Mr. Olaoluwa Adesanya on behalf of all the political parties apologized for not living up to expectation.
He also assured that all registered and willing political parties interested in the election will begin to do the needful.
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