INEC takes final decision on election dates today

Strong indications emerged yesterday on the possibility of the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shifting
next week’s presidential and National Assembly elections after
a stakeholders meeting with the leadership of the political
parties and Resident Electoral Commissioners ((RECs) at its
headquarters in Abuja today.
The press statement from the Chief Press Secretary to INEC
Chairman, Kayode Robert Idowu, implied that the Commission
may announce a shift in the election date to enable more
voters collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).
The release further added that the INEC chairman, Professor
Attahiru Jega would today meet with the chairmen and
secretaries of all the 28 registered political parties to look into
the Commission’s level of preparedness and take a final
decision on whether the election will go ahead on next
Saturday as scheduled.
Idowu further noted that the INEC chairman will address a
press conference to inform the nation about the final position
of the Commission regarding the date for the election.
“On Thursday, February 5, 2015, the Chairman of the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor
Attahiru Jega, was invited to brief the National Council of
States (NCS) on the preparedness of INEC to conduct the
2015 general elections.
“He made a presentation titled ‘Preparations for the 2015
General Elections: Progress Report.’ The National Security
Adviser (NSA) and Armed Services Chiefs also briefed the
Council on the current security situation.
“As a follow-up to that meeting, the Commission has
scheduled a consultative meeting with chairmen and
secretaries of all registered political parties, as well as a
meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on
Saturday, February 7, 2015.
“Thereafter, the Commission will address a press conference
to brief the nation on its decision with regards to whether or
not the general elections will hold as currently scheduled.” Id­
owu noted in the statement.