The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed the general elections to February 23.
The commission has announced that the Presidential and National Assembly elections, initially scheduled for Saturday, February 16, will now hold on February 23, while the governorship and state houses of assembly elections will take place on March 9.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made this known at a short press briefing at 2:44 am on Saturday morning broadcast live on television.
He said, “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.
“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 Area Council elections are rescheduled to Saturday, 9 March, 2019.”
He explained that the postponement will provide the opportunity to address challenges identified by the commission in order to maintain the quality of the nation’s elections.
This, he said, was a difficult decision for the commission to take but necessary for the successful delivery of the elections and the consolidation of our democracy.
The press briefing was on the heels of a crucial meeting Yakubu had with INEC’s 12 National Commissioners late on Friday night.
Professor Yakubu’s announcement confirms speculations that the electoral umpire would shift the polls after encountering challenges in the distribution of electoral materials although it had earlier assured that the commission had no plans to shift the polls.