The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has
postponed the six Senatorial and nine House of Assembly
bye-elections slated for October 31.
![image](/2020/10/NWLR1.jpg")
![image](/2020/10/lawreport.jpg")
The Commission said the decision to cancel the elections is in
compliance with Section 26 (2) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as
amended), which gives INEC 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.
The scheduled bye-elections include Bayelsa Central Senatorial
District; Bayelsa West Senatorial District; Nganzai and Bayo
Constituencies in Borno State; Cross River North Senatorial
District; Obudu Constituency in Cross River.
Others are Imo North Senatorial District; Lagos East Senatorial
District; Kosofe II Constituency in Lagos State; Plateau South
Senatorial District; Bakura Constituency in Zamfara; and Ibaji
Constituency in Kogi.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter
Education, Festus Okoye, in a statement, said the Commission will
continue to monitor the situation in all the States and
Constituencies, consult with relevant Stakeholders and meet again
in two weeks to review the situation and decide on a feasible date
for the elections.
According to the statement: “The Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) met today, 22nd October 2020 with the 37 Resident
Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to review preparations for the 15
bye-elections in 11 States of the Federation scheduled to hold on
31st October 2020.
“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.
“The Commission will continue to monitor the situation in all
the States and Constituencies, consult with relevant Stakeholders
and meet again in two weeks to review the situation and decide on a
feasible date for the elections”.
It added: “The Commission appeals for calm and understanding of
the stakeholders and voters in the States where elections were
scheduled. The safety of the voters, election officials and other
stakeholders is paramount to the Commission in conducting
elections.
“We are convinced that the country will emerge from the current
challenges stronger while our electoral process will continue to
improve”.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has
postponed the six Senatorial and nine House of Assembly
bye-elections slated for October 31.
The Commission said the decision to cancel the elections is in
compliance with Section 26 (2) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as
amended), which gives INEC 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.
The scheduled bye-elections include Bayelsa Central Senatorial
District; Bayelsa West Senatorial District; Nganzai and Bayo
Constituencies in Borno State; Cross River North Senatorial
District; Obudu Constituency in Cross River.
Others are Imo North Senatorial District; Lagos East Senatorial
District; Kosofe II Constituency in Lagos State; Plateau South
Senatorial District; Bakura Constituency in Zamfara; and Ibaji
Constituency in Kogi.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter
Education, Festus Okoye, in a statement, said the Commission will
continue to monitor the situation in all the States and
Constituencies, consult with relevant Stakeholders and meet again
in two weeks to review the situation and decide on a feasible date
for the elections.
According to the statement: “The Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) met today, 22nd October 2020 with the 37 Resident
Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to review preparations for the 15
bye-elections in 11 States of the Federation scheduled to hold on
31st October 2020.
“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.
“The Commission will continue to monitor the situation in all
the States and Constituencies, consult with relevant Stakeholders
and meet again in two weeks to review the situation and decide on a
feasible date for the elections”.
It added: “The Commission appeals for calm and understanding of
the stakeholders and voters in the States where elections were
scheduled. The safety of the voters, election officials and other
stakeholders is paramount to the Commission in conducting
elections.
“We are convinced that the country will emerge from the current
challenges stronger while our electoral process will continue to
improve”.