BREAKING: INEC publishes Ondo Governorship candidates’ details, urges public to scrutinise

In a significant move ahead of the Ondo State Governorship Election, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced the publication of personal particulars of all candidates.

This follows the conclusion of party primaries, with 17 political parties submitting their candidates’ nomination forms by the deadline of 6:00 pm on Monday, 20th May 2024.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun stressed that the publication of personal particulars of candidates followed the conclusion of party primaries.

Olumekun added that any aspirant who participated in their party’s primaries and reasonably believed that the information provided by a candidate or running mate was false could challenge the nomination in a Federal High Court, as stipulated in Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022.

He said: “Following the conclusion of party primaries, seventeen (17) Political Parties have uploaded their candidates’ nomination forms for the Ondo State Governorship Election by the deadline of 6.00pm on Monday 20th May 2024 when the dedicated portal automatically shut down.

“The personal particulars of the Governorship candidates and their running mates will be published on Saturday 25th May 2024, one week from the last date for the submission of nominations as provided in Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 and listed as item 4 on the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election.

“The Commission shall publish the personal particulars by displaying copies of Form EC9 along with all academic credentials and other documents submitted by each candidate at our State Headquaters in Akure and the 18 Local Government offices across the State.”

The public is encouraged to scrutinize these documents. Any aspirant who participated in their party primaries and has reasonable grounds to believe that the information provided by a candidate or running mate is false can challenge the nomination in a Federal High Court, as stipulated in Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022.

The Ondo State Governorship Election is scheduled for Saturday, 16th November 2024.