The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has clarified how troublesome it was for it to move the general elections by seven days each.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu who briefed journalists at about 2:43am on Saturday in Abuja said the commission had met on Friday, fifteenth February 2019 and investigated its arrangements for the 2019 General Elections planned for Saturday, sixteenth February 2019 and Saturday, second March 2019.
He said the commission would later in the day meet with key partners at the International Conference Center, Abuja to examine issues.
“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, said Yakubu.
He said, “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 is 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 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 on Saturday, 16th February 2019 at the Abuja International Conference Centre”, he added.