The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday postponed the scheduled October 31 bye-elections for the conduct of six senatorial districts and nine state constituencies in 11 states in the country.
A statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said the decision followed a meeting of the electoral body with the 37 Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to review preparations for the 15 bye-elections.
Okoye stated that “On Wednesday 21st October 2020, the Commission notified the nation that having taken cognizance of the current security situation in parts of the country, a meeting with the 37 RECs will be held to evaluate the situation in the States and Constituencies where bye-elections have been scheduled.
“Accordingly, the Commission has decided to postpone the bye-elections in the 6 Senatorial Districts and 9 State Constituencies.
“This 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.”
INEC, however, disclosed that it would continue to monitor the situation in the states where the elections are to be held and meet in two weeks to review the situation and also pick a feasible date for the polls.
The commission while appealing for calm among stakeholders and voters in the affected areas also reiterated that the safety of the voting public, election officials, and other stakeholders is important to the Commission.
Okoye added that the commission is convinced that the country will emerge from the current challenges stronger “while our electoral process will continue to improve.”
The protests against police brutality under the #EndSARS movement which had rocked the country in recent weeks had on Tuesday turned violent when soldiers opened fire on the protesters in the Lekki area of Lagos. This development had triggered the burning of buildings, vehicles, among others thereby resulting in several deaths across the country.
At least 11 states including Lagos where the protest has been concentrated have imposed a curfew to control the violence.
