The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has Postponed the presidential and national assembly elections till February 23rd, 2019.
The governorship and state assembly elections will now hold on March 9. This was announced in Abuja by the chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu around 2.45 am on Saturday, February 16, after he held an emergency meeting with security officials, election observers and other stakeholders.
According to him, the decision was taken after a careful review of the plan for the exercise. “Following a careful review of the implementation of its logistics and operational plan and the determination to conduct free, fair and credible elections, the commission came to the conclusion that proceeding with the elections as scheduled is no longer feasible,” he said.
“Consequently, the commission has decided to reschedule the Presidential and National Assembly Elections to Saturday, 23 February 2019.
“Furthermore, the Governorship, State House of Assembly and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections is rescheduled to Saturday 9th March 2019. This will afford the Commission the opportunity to address identified challenges in order to maintain the quality of our elections.
“This was a difficult decision for the Commission to take, but necessary for the successful delivery of the elections and the consolidation of our democracy.”
He announced that the commission will meet key stakeholders to update them on the development at 2pm on Saturday.
INEC had summoned stakeholders to an emergency meeting on Friday night following logistics problem in some states.
In Ekiti state, electoral materials had not arrived some areas as of 9pm. There were also issues in Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Taraba and Rivers.
Meanwhile, several Nigerians have expressed disappointment concerning the Commission's decision to postpone the election. "I feel so disappointed over the sudden decision of the electoral empire to postpone the election considering that I had traveled to my faraway village only to hear of the postponement of the election." Charles Ekwe.
"If INEC wanted to postpone the election, the announcement should have come at least two or three days before the initial date. The decision took us unawares after spending so much money on transportation. It is demoralizing." Another Nigerian who preferred anonymity.
Whether INEC likes it or not, I most stay and cast my vote, their plans will not work
ReplyDeleteWhat is all this with INEC, they could not use the whole 4 years to prepare for election, I think the INEC officials should be wiped out of office. so unfortunate, just to demoralize people's spirit. so bad
ReplyDelete