The Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission, ODIEC says the Saturday January 18, 2025 date for the conduct of local government elections remains sacrosanct.
ODIEC Chairman, Dr Joseph Aremo emphasizes this in a statement made available to newsmen in Akure ahead of the next month council poll.
Dr Aremo said contrary to speculations in some quarters, the electoral umpire is committed to the conducting a free, fair and credible election in the 18 local government areas.
He however mentioned some amendments to the election timetable.
According to the amendment, Last Day for Submission of Forms for Particulars and List of Candidates by Political Parties now Tuesday 17th December, 2024, Last Day for Substitution of Candidates by Political Parties, Thursday 19th December, Publication of Particulars and List of Candidates of Political Parties, Friday 20th December and Last Day for Submission of Nomination Forms, 20th December, 2024.
The statement notes that Verification of candidates now holds on Monday 23rd December and Tuesday 24th December, Commencement of campaign by Political Parties now slated for between Thursday 26th December to Midnight Thursday 16th January, 2025 while publication of list of validated candidates is now scheduled for Friday 27th December, 2024.
Other amendments include Submission of Applications by prospective ad-hoc staff to the Commission through the Electoral Officer of each Local Government/Office of the Director Operation at the Headquarters, Akure will now be from Friday, 27th December, 2024 to Monday, 6th January, 2025, Publication of Notice of Poll reschedule for Monday 30th December, 2024 and Submission of Applications and closing date by prospective Election Observers now Monday 30th December to Monday 6th January, 2025.
The State Electoral Commission urges all participating political parties to abide and work in tandem with the timetable.