INEC postpone 2019 elections ,announces a week reschedule of polls

Tunde Opalana, Abuja

Hopes of several million Nigerians to elect President and National Assembly members in an election slated for today was dashed as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reschedule the election by a week. The last minute decision came early hours of today after what was described as urgent meeting of INEC management and critical stakehokders which include accredited election observers that started met Friday night. The emergency meeting was called to review INEC’s preparations for the 2019 General Elections scheduled for today Saturday, 16’h February 2019 and Saturday, 2nd March 2019. 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 while the Govemorship, State House of Assembly and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections is rescheduled to Saturday 9‘h March 2019. Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairma said , “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”. The Commission will meet key stakeholders to update them on this development at 2pm today at the Abuja International Conference Centre.