By Ben Agande, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday released the time table for the 2011 elections with the presidential election scheduled to hold on 9th April, 2011.

The National Assembly election is to hold on the 2nd of April while the gubernatorial elections and the State Houses of Assembly will take place on the 16th of April.

The provisional time table was immediately hailed as a political advantage for President Goodluck Jonathan who is canvassing for his party’s presidential ticket in the election.

The order of elections gives him the advantage of assuring the loyalty of governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who would be expected to play a key role in helping him win the election if he emerges the presidential candidate of the PDP.

In a brief ceremony at the commission’s headquarters last night, the national chairman of the commission, Professor Attahiru Jega  explained that  the release of the time table was in conformity  with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Other details of the schedule of activities for the run up to the election are as follows:
(i)    Issuance of notice of election: 23rd November, 2010 (in accordance with section 30 (1)  of electoral act 2010).

(ii)    Conduct of party primaries by Political Parties:  26th November, 2010  to January 27th, 2011.

(iii)    Campaign by political parties  in Public (section 99(1) of the Electoral Act 2010.  1st December 2010.

(iv)    Collection of Forms  CF001 (affidavit and Personal  particulars of candidates) and Forms CF002 (list of Candidates for all elections) 15th   to  22nd  December, 2010

(v)    Registration  of Voters 15 -29th January, 2011.
(vi)    Display  of voters  for claims and Objections:  3rd -8th February.
(vii)    Last t day for submission of forms  CF001 and CF002 31st January, 2011.

(viii)    Publication of Personal Particulars of Candidates:  (Cf001 in accordance with section 31 (3) of Electoral Act 2010:  6th February, 2011.

(ix)    Last day of Collection of nomination forms  7th -10th February 2011.
(x)    Last  day for withdrawal by candidates/substitution of  Withdrawn candidates by political parties: National Assembly  14th February, 2011; Presidential Election 21st February, 2010 and Governorship/State Assemblies28th February, 2010.

(xi)    Publication of Personal particulars of substituted candidate 21st February, 2011.
(xii)    Las t day for the submission of nomination forms by political parties:  21st February, 2011.

(xiii)    Publication of official register of voters for the election2nd to 16th  March 2011.
(xiv)    Publication  of list of nominated candidates for elections: National Assembly  2nd -16th of March, 2011.
(xv)    Publication  of notice of Elections 18th march, 2011.

(xvi)    Submission of names of party agents to State Resident Electoral \commissioners: 25th March, 2011.
(xvii)    Last Day of  day and time for campaigns: National Assembly: 1st april, 2011, Presidential Elections,  8th April, 2011; Governorship and state assemblies 15th April, 2011.

(xviii)    Date of of election: National Assembly2nd April, 2011; Presidential Elections 9th April, 2011 and Governorship and State Assembly Elections 16th April, 2011