Reports reaching Oyogist.com shows that the Independent National Electoral Commission will postpone the conduct of by-elections in 11 states, due to the vandisation of its offices and facilities by thugs.
Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, said the commission will consult stakeholders to decide on a new date.
He said, “The commission met today, Thursday 5th November 2020 to further review the situation and decided that the commission suffered extensive damage to and vandalization of its local government offices and facilities, including the areas where the by-elections are scheduled to hold.
“It is important to consult all the critical stakeholders in the electoral process before deciding on a definite date for the conduct of the by-elections.
“Consequently, the commission will consult with political parties and civil society organisations on Tuesday 10th November 2020 and then with the media and Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) on Wednesday 11th November 2020.
“The commission will thereafter meet again with the Resident Electoral Commissioners On Thursday, 12th November 2020 to decide on a date for the conduct of the by-elections.
“The commission also promised to deliver a transparent election as it appealed to all stakeholders to continue to cooperate with it in efforts to conduct credible elections under a safe and conducive environment”. Mr Festus said.
