Naira Scarcity: INEC Speaks On Plans To Postpone Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has debunked reports on social media that the Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has agreed to postpone the elections over the naira crisis rocking the country.

Naija News reports that the Presidential and National Assembly elections are fixed for February 25, while the Governorship and State assemblies polls is scheduled for March 11.

The electoral body dismissed reports of shifting the election in a tweet on Monday night it titled ‘Fake News Alert’.

INEC said; “Our attention has been drawn to a fake report circulating on the social media with the title: ‘INEC May Postpone Feb 25 Election by a week or two’.

“The commission will not and is not contemplating postponing the 2023 General Election. Nigerians should disregard it.”

Recall that another report had emerged earlier quoting the INEC chairman as saying the commission was affected by the cash shortage and that a postponement of the election would be in the best interest of Nigerians.

But in a swift reaction, the Chief Press Secretary to Yakubu, Rotimi Oyekanmi, described the claims as false, saying: “It is not true. INEC will not, and is not even contemplating postponing the 2023 general election. To be sure, the presidential and national assembly election will take place on 25th February, while the governorship/state assembly election will hold on 11th March 2023.”

2023: Election Won’t Hold In 240 Polling Units – INEC Declares

No fewer than 240 polling units have been identified as locations where the forthcoming election 2023 election won’t hold.

Naija News reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that election will not hold in 240 polling units because there are no registered voters.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu made this revelation on Monday at a meeting with leaders of political parties.

The development is coming barely 12 days before the forthcoming general election.

The INEC boss revealed that polling units where elections will not hold include ones from Edo, Kwara, Rivers and Zamfara States to 38 in Imo State which has the highest.

He said with the exception of the 240 polling units, the election will take place in about 176,606 polling units across the country.

Yakubu at the meeting also warned party agents against fighting on the day of the election to avoid any confusion.