The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may need to move the February 25 presidential election by at least two weeks due to logistical concerns, there were rumblings on Wednesday.
The ongoing burning of INEC offices throughout the nation and the insecurity issues in the South-East and North-East are two of these problems that are particularly important.
The electoral body is committed to sticking with the set date, but recent events in the nation may force it to announce an extension, a senior Commission official told Daily Independent.
The Commission is doing all it can to stick to the announced dates but given the numerous challenges being witnessed across the country, such as the burning of our offices, insecurity challenges and attack on INEC officials, lingering fuel scarcity coupled with problems arising from the Naira redesign, I won’t be surprised if the election is postponed by two weeks minimum.
When contacted, the Commissioner for information and voter education of INEC, Festus Okoye denied any plans of extension saying the dates fixed for the conduct of the elections remain firm.
“The dates fixed by the Commission for the conduct of the 2023 general election are fixed and firm,” he said.
Also affirming Okoye’s position, Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman said there are no plans to shift the elections.
“Not at all. The Commission is not even contemplating shifting the 2023 General election”.
Discussion about this post