Edo and Ondo Elections: INEC Ready to Conduct with Covid-19 Precautions

Edo and Ondo elections would be conducted on September 19 and October 10 respectively with strict adherence to Coronavirus health, TheConscienceNG reports. 

The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC announced this in a statement on Tuesday August 11 after detailed reviews of outstanding bye-elections, conduct of Nasarawa Central state constituency election held on August 8 and preparations for the Edo and Ondo gubernatorial elections slated for 19 September and 10 October, 2020 respectively.

TheConscienceNG reports that the commission in a statement signed by Barrister Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman, Voters Education Committee, said it is “Going ahead with the conduct of the gubernatorial Edo and Ondo elections.”

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Addressing Covid-19 concerns, Okoye assured that INEC has “Developed its Policy on Conducting Elections in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, its regulations and Guidelines and engaged with health authorities and stakeholders on conducting Elections in an environment that guarantees both credibility and public safety.

The incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki and candidate of the People Democratic Party PDP and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressive Congress APC are the leading contenders in the two-horse race in Edo while the incumbent Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Candidate of the All Progressive Congress APC, and former state Commissioner for Justice and candidate of the People Democratic Party, PDP, Eyitayo Jegede are the contenders in another two-horse race.

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The results of Edo and Ondo elections is set to further strengthen or weaken the struggling ruling APC Party with a dissolved National Working Committee by its National Executive Council ahead of the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.