By Danlami Nmodu
#TrackNigeria – The Independent National Electoral Commission which has shifted the Presidential Elections scheduled to hold today, February 16,2019 has also given reason why the Commission decided to reschedule the polls.
Presidential and National Assembly Elections are now to hold t Saturday,23rd February 2019.Also, the Governorship ,State House of Assembly and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections are rescheduled to Saturday 9th March 2019, the Commission said.
INEC National Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu who announced the decision after hours of meeting said, “the Commission came to the conclusion that proceeding with the elections as scheduled is no longer feasible.”
Professor Yakubu also added that the delay “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 successful delivery of the elections and consolidation of our democracy.”
The INEC Chairman’s statement explaining the shift reads thus in full: “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) met on Friday ,15th February 2019 and reviewed its preparations for the 2019 General Elections scheduled for Saturday 16th February 2019 and Saturday,2nd March 2019.
“Following a careful review of the implementation of its logistics and operational plan and 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.
“Consequently, the Commission has decided to reschedule the Presidential and National Assembly Elections to Saturday,23rd February 2019.Furthermore,the Governorship ,State House of Assembly and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) 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 successful delivery of the elections and consolidation of our democracy.
“The commission will meet key stakeholders to update them on this development at 2pm on Saturday,16th February 2019 at the Abuja International Conference Centre.”
The INEC decision was also posted on the Commission’s twitter handle
Breaking News: The #NigeriaDecides2019 Elections now to hold on; 23rd February, 2019 for Presidential and National Assembly while the Governorship, State House of Assembly and the FCT Area Council Elections is to hold on 9th March, 2019. pic.twitter.com/6zhvBLQe2a— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) February 16, 2019
