The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday night postponed the 15 bye-elections in 11 states, slated for next week Saturday, October 31, over the #EndSARS Nationwide protests.
The commission was expected to postponed the elections due to the violence in parts of the country, including the places the elections were to hold.
National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Festus Okoye, had said on Wednesday in Abuja that the commission was not oblivious of the current mood of the nation, the security situation, natural disasters and other emergencies reported in parts of the country.
The supplementary elections consist of six senatorial and nine state house of assembly seats.
Okoye said that the vacancies were due to death and resignation of previous members and that INEC has been engaged in meticulous preparations for the bye-elections for several weeks in its determination to continue to deliver free, fair, credible and safe elections for Nigerians.
However, at the end of the commission’s management meeting with the 37 Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on Thursday, INEC decided to postpone the bye-elections in the six senatorial districts and nine state constituencies.
Okoye said that the decision is in compliance with Section 26 (2) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), which gives the commission the power to postpone an election if there is reason to believe that a serious breach of the peace is likely to occur if the election is proceeded with on that date, or that it is impossible to conduct the elections as a result of natural disasters or other emergencies.
“The commission will continue to monitor the situation in all the states and constituencies, consult with relevant stakeholders and meet again in two weeks to review the situation and decide on a feasible date for the elections,” he said.
The commission appeals for calm and understanding of the stakeholders and voters in the states where elections were scheduled, saying that the safety of the voters, election officials and other stakeholders is paramount to the commission in conducting elections.
He expressed confidence that the country will emerge from the current challenges stronger while and that the electoral process will continue to improve.
The affected districts and constituencies are Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, Bayelsa West Senatorial District; Nganzai State Constituency, Borno State; Bayo State Constituency, Borno State; Cross River North Senatorial District; and Obudu State Constituency, Cross River State.
Others are Imo North Senatorial District; Lagos East Senatorial District; Kosofe II State Constituency, Lagos State; Plateau South Senatorial District; Bakura State Constituency, Zamfara State; Ibaji State Constituency, Kogi State; Isi-Uzo State Constituency, Enugu State and Bakori State Constituency, Katsina State.
