INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu , who addressed State House Correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Friday, has disclosed that the electoral agency will not shift the date for the 2019 elections.
According to the INEC Chairman, for the very first time in the history of our elections, citizens of Nigeria have known when election will take place, one year in advance.
“There are no conditions under which elections will be postponed under section 26 of the Electoral Act.
“The date is firm and fixed, February 16, 2019. We issued the timetable well in advance. For the very first time in the history of our elections, citizens of Nigeria know when elections will take place, one year in advance.”
INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu also noted that there was no provision in the 2019 elections budget for international observers, except for their kits and materials that would be used during the elections.
“We have no provision in the budget for election observation. I have heard some people say that we (INEC) have earmarked budget for international observers, there is nothing like that. What we have provided for are the kits – the jacket, face cap, the publication and Identity cards that we will give international observers.
“Their accommodation, transportation, and all expenditure will be borne by different election observation teams and not by the Nigerian government,” he said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday, also released the notice of activities for the 2019 elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday released the notice of activities for the 2019 general elections. Mrs Ndidi Okafor, Head of Voter Education and Publicity, Gender and Civil Society Liaison of INEC, FCT told NAN that the notice was in accordance with section 30 of the Electoral Act 2010.
According to the notice, collection of nomination forms for national and state elections by political parties is fixed between Aug 17 and Aug. 24. Collection of forms for FCT elections will take place between 3 Sept. and 10 Sept.
Okafor said INEC had announced Nov. 17 as the last date for the withdrawal or replacement of candidates for president and National Assembly elections, and Dec. 1 for governorship and state houses of assembly elections.
INEC would on Jan. 2, 2019 publish notice of the polls, and on Jan. 7, 2019 publish official register of voters for the election, which will begin with the presidential and National Assembly elections on 16 February.
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