2019: INEC Chairman, Yakubu speaks on ‘shifting’ election dates

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it will not shift the date for the 2019 general elections.

INEC’s Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu made the disclosure while addressing State House Correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Friday.

Yakubu said, “There are no conditions under which elections will be postponed under section 26 of the Electoral Act.

“The date is firm and fixed, February 16, 2019. We issued the timetable well in advance. For the very first time in the history of our elections, citizens of Nigeria know when elections will take place, one year in advance.”

He also noted that there was no provision in the 2019 election budget for international observers except for their kits and materials that would be used during the elections.

“We have no provision in the budget for election observation. I have heard some people say that we (INEC) have earmarked budget for international observers, there is nothing like that. What we have provided for are the kits – the jacket, face cap, the publication and Identity cards that we will give international observers.

“Their accommodation, transportation, and all expenditure will be borne by different election observation teams and not by the Nigerian government,” he said.

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