No Going Back On Announced Dates For 2023 Election – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is not contemplating a postponement or cancellation of the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.

The electoral umpire assured that the elections which have been scheduled for February 25 and March 11 for the presidential and state elections respectively would hold as planned.

The assurance was given on Wednesday in Abuja by the chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu while presenting the updated register of voters for the 2023 elections.

The INEC boss revealed that the commission is working with all relevant stakeholders to deliver a peaceful and credible poll.

The clarification became necessary after the alarm raised by the Chairman of the Board of Electoral Institute (BEI), Abdullahi Abdu Zuru while representing the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu at an event on Monday that insecurity may not allow the 2023 polls to hold as planned.

He stated this at the validation of election security training resources in Abuja, and also expressed concerns that the cancellation or postponement of the elections due to insecurity in some areas would not only hinder the declaration of elections results, but also precipitate a constitutional crisis.

However, Yakubu on Wednesday declared that INEC is not thinking of adjusting, postponing or cancelling the election.

He said any contrary report does not represent the official position of the commission.

He said: “The commission is not contemplating any adjustment to the election timetable, let alone the postponement of the general election. For the avoidance of doubt, the presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on Saturday February 25, 2023 while Governorship and State Assembly elections will hold two weeks later on Saturday, March 11, 2023.

“The repeated assurance by the security agencies for the adequate protection of our personnel, materials and processes also reinforces our determination to proceed.

“The 2023 general election will hold as scheduled. Any report to the contrary is not the official position of the commission.”