Following the signing of New Electoral Amendment Bill into law by President Muhammad Buhari yesterday, The Independent National Electoral Commission has set new dates for the next year’s General Elections.
This was disclosed in a press release by the Chairman of the commission,Prof Mahmoud Yaqub in Abuja.
Mahmoud said in 2017,the commission decided to establish fixed dates for General Elections in Nigeria and their decision was based on their determination to create certainty in the electoral calendar and to enable all stakeholders in the electoral process prepared adequately for elections.
With the new law that guides the elections in the country, the commission has decided to adjust the dates of the 2023 General Elections to ensure compliance with the provisions of the new law.
“Consequently,the commission has decided to adjust the dates of the 2023 General Elections to ensure compliance with the provisions of the new law”.
Accordingly,the Presidential and National Assembly Elections will now hold on Saturday 25th February, 2023 while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold two weeks later on Saturday 11th March,2023 respectively”.
“With this adjustments,the 2023 General Elections is now 363 days away”. He added
“On this note,I wish to remind stakeholders especially the political parties, of their responsibility to adhere strictly to the timeline in this Timetable and Schedule of Activities”.
“It is necessary that all political parties comply with the extant legal framework,ensure proper organisation and management of party primaries and the nomination of qualified candidates in order to prevent unnecessary litigations and rancour”.
” I thank you all for attending this conference and God bless”. He concluded