The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, amid rising
COVID-19 cases in the country, has set criteria that must be met by
political parties before holding public rallies for the Edo and Ondo
State governorship elections.

The Commission’s National Commissioner and Chairman Information and
Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye, in an interview with
newsmen in Abuja, said before holding any rally, political parties
must give INEC a seven-day notice.
The criteria, it was gathered, was aimed at preventing the spread of
COVID-19 at the rallies.

Mr Okoye said that INEC had informed political parties that their
guidelines for campaigns must conform with the Nigeria Centre for
Disease Control protocols, including social distancing and use of face
masks, warning against crowded rallies.