Guber Polls: INEC Orders Immediate Resumption Of Activities In Edo, Ondo Offices
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ordered the immediate resumption of activities in its offices in Edo and Ondo states due to the upcoming governorship polls in the two states.
The directives were contained in the “Guidelines for Resumption After COVID-19 Lockdown” issued by the commission on Wednesday in Abuja.
INEC had slated September 19, 2020, for the governorship election in Edo State while that of Ondo State was fixed for October 10, 2020.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the nation, the commission on March 23 suspended meetings with political parties, and other stakeholders indefinitely.
It would be recalled that the commission also postponed the Bayelsa Central, Bayelsa West, Imo North, and Plateau South Senatorial bye-elections following the outbreak of the disease.
But INEC had insisted that it would not postpone the Edo and Ondo governorship elections on account of the COVID-19 outbreak, hence the latest directive to reopen the state offices.
According to the electoral body, the new guidelines though, consistent with those issued by the Federal government, reflected
peculiarities of the commission nationwide and would affect the operation of the commission after the COVID-19 lockdown, and throughout the pandemic emergency.
