We Have No Plans To Postpone 2023 General Elections – Electoral Body, INEC Assures Nigerians
The Independent National Electoral Commission has ruled out possible postponement of the 2023 general election in Nigeria, adding that it has required resources for the smooth conduct of polls.
The INEC Head of Operations in Gombe, Aminu Isah, made this disclosure on Saturday during an engagement with youth-focused groups in the North-East, with the theme, “Making your votes count; consolidating democracy.”
Recall that the commission had postponed the general elections in 2019 due to logistics and operational problems.
The commission had announced the shocking decision just hours before the opening of polls after repeatedly assuring Nigerians and international observers it was ready for the elections.
Many Nigerians condemned the postponement, especially its timing, and accused the commission of insensitivity.
However, Isah revealed that, unlike in the past, INEC had received the needed resources that would smooth the electoral processes.
According to PUNCH, he maintained that 2023 elections will be the best election to be conducted from inception.
“INEC has gotten all its funds ahead of the elections. There will not be any possible postponement of 2023 elections, unlike the 2019,” he said.
On Permanent Voters Card collection, he revealed that collection had commenced in earnest, saying, “All the states have received the last tranche of the printed PVCs for those that registered.”
Also speaking, the Gombe State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ibrahim Umar, who represented the National Commissioner in charge of Taraba, Gombe and Adamawa states, Dr. Baba Bila, said the Commission had received non-sensitive materials and some sensitive materials in readiness of the elections.
Bila said the youth population constituted over 50 per cent in the country, stressing that their involvement was important.
He said, “INEC is fully prepared to conduct a free, fair, timely and all-inclusive election come 2023. The Head of Operations has already told you that most of the non-sensitive materials, we have already received them, and among the sensitive materials, we have received the full complement of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System. By the grace of God, we are not going to have any hitches.”
Source:- Saharareporters
