The Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) has rescheduled the local government election in the state for January 18, 2025. This announcement was made by ODIEC Chairman Dr. Joseph Aremo during a stakeholders’ meeting at the commission’s headquarters in Akure.
Originally slated for December 16, 2023, the election faced multiple postponements, first to February 17, then to July 13, and ultimately was postponed indefinitely before the current announcement. Dr. Aremo clarified that the election was not canceled but rescheduled due to the non-compliance of political parties with electoral guidelines.
Emphasizing the commission’s dedication to a free, fair, and credible electoral process, Aremo urged political parties that held primaries prior to the postponement to submit their validated candidate lists.
The timeline for electoral activities leading up to the election includes: completion of party primaries and candidate validation from November 25 to December 7; submission of candidate forms by December 9; a window for candidate substitution from December 12 to 13; and collection and submission of nomination forms from December 16 to 18. Campaigning by political parties is set to commence on December 23, concluding at midnight on January 16, 2025.
Additionally, Aremo announced that distribution of non-sensitive materials to the 18 local governments will occur between January 6 and January 10, 2025. The State Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council expressed satisfaction with the commission’s readiness for the elections, assuring both the commission and the public of their participation in the upcoming electoral process.
