.Says there is need for a conversation on election conduct
By DANIEL Kanu
Assistant Political Editor
National Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu has said that political campaigns, issue of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) would remain closed during the one week postponement of the Presidential and the National Assembly elections.But he assured that all retrieved voting materials must be thoroughly examined and its integrity guaranteed for its further use.Yakubu made the disclosure in Abuja today, Saturday, during INEC interaction with stakeholders on the election postponement.Yakubu had announced in a statement on Saturday morning that the decision to postpone the election was made following challenges in logistics.The presidential and National Assembly elections earlier scheduled for February 16 according to the statement will now be held on February 23, while the governorship, state houses of assembly and Federal Capital Territory Area Council polls is now slated for March as against March 2. “going by the provision of the electoral act campaigns remain closed, there will be no issuance of PVC and I can assure you that the sanctity of all retrieved voting materials already deployed for the election cannot be compromised” Yakubu noted.While apologizing for the postponement of the election, he allayed the fear that election would be compromised, saying that there was no evidence of any internal or external sabotage.INEC boss said it was enourmous challenge conducting election in the country with what the institution has on the ground, suggesting that “Nigeria needs a conversation on the management of elections in the country”.Yakubu said there would be Diaspora voting, where Nigerians living outside the shores of the land will come back to vote as well as Out of Country voting for Nigerians on government assignment, like Ambassadors, defense attachés etc in other countries.The stakeholders Yakubu addressed included political party representatives, media including the local and international observers, Nigerians have continued to express outrage over the postponement of the general elections by the INEC.
