INEC SETS TO CONDUCT ELECTIONS AMID PANDEMIC
Following the outbreak of COVID-19 in Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved a new policy to conduct elections.
Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, made this known in a statement on Thursday, May 21, 2020.
Okoye said the electoral body has come up with a new plan it called “Policy on Conducting Elections in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic” to enable voting, which would be released Monday, 25th May.
Okoye said that the purpose of the policy is to enable officials and staff of the commission understand and respond adequately to the challenges of conducting elections amid the pandemic.
Okoye added that the policy was made in view of the end of tenure Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.
According to him, elections in Edo and Ondo States are slated to hold by September 19, 2020 and October 10, respectively.
Similarly, Okoye hinted that the commission had received official declaration of vacancies for 4 Senatorial Districts and reports of the passing of a Senator and four members of some State Houses of Assembly.
According to Okoye, INEC is preparing for nine bye elections across seven States of the Federal.
Speaking further, Okoye said the commission is committed to conducting all elections that are due within the extant legal framework.
He reiterated that the commission would ensure public safety of its members and voters to curb the spread of COVID-19.
The Commission urged Nigerians to obey all safety measures and guidelines imposed by the Federal Government and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
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