The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has postponed Nigeria’s general election.
The Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled to hold on Saturday will now hold on Saturday, February 23, 2019.
Similarly, the Governorship/State House of Assembly/Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections earlier scheduled to hold on March 2, 2019, has been postponed to Saturday, March 9, 2019.
The postponement was announced by the Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, early Saturday morning.
The decision was taken at a crucial meeting by INEC to review the implementation of its logistics and operational plans to carry out free, fair and credible elections.
The postponement, Yakubu said, would enable the commission tackle the challenges confronting it in the preparations for the election.
“Following a careful review of the implementation of its logistics and operational plans and its determination to conduct free, fair and credible elections, the commission came to the conclusion that proceeding with the election as scheduled is no longer feasible.
“Consequently, the commission has decided to reschedule the Presidential/National Assembly elections to Saturday, 23rd February 2019. Furthermore, the Governorship/State House of Assembly/Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections are rescheduled to Saturday, 9th March 2019,” he said.
Meanwhile, the commission has scheduled a meeting with key stakeholder for 2.00 p.m. in Abuja over the postponement of the general election.
The statement by INEC chairman reads:
“The Independent National Electoral Commission met on Friday, 15 February 2019 and reviewed its preparation for the 2019 general elections scheduled for Saturday, February 16, and Saturday, March 2.
“Following a careful review of the implementation of its logistics and operational plans and its determination to conduct free, fair and credible elections, the commission came to the conclusion that proceeding with the election as scheduled is no longer feasible.
“Consequently, the commission has decided to reschedule the Presidential/National Assembly elections to Saturday, 23rd February 2019. Furthermore, the Governorship/State House of Assembly/Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections are 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 elections and consolidation of our democracy.
“The Commission will meet with key stakeholders to update them on this development at 2 P.M. at the Abuja International Conference Centre.”
