The Independent National Electoral Commission has shifted the date for the Kogi and Bayelsa States governorship elections earlier scheduled for November 2.
The elections will now hold on November 16.
The Commission disclosed this in a statement issued by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye. on Thursday in Abuja.
The decision, according to Okoye, was taken at the commission’s regular weekly meeting held on Thursday, following several appeals received by INEC from critical stakeholders from Bayelsa State demanding for a change in the earlier fixed date.
He said: “It will be recalled that on April 9, lNEC released the timetable and schedule of activities for the Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections. The Commission fixed Nov. 2 for the elections to hold in both states.
“However, the Commission received several appeals from Bayelsa that the election coincided with the state’s Annual Thanksgiving Day which is backed by law.
“After a careful consideration of the appeals, the Commission at its regular weekly meeting held today Thursday May 16 decided to shift the governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States to Saturday November 16.”
Okoye added that the timelines for all other activities leading to the elections have also been adjusted to align with the new date.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that according to the amended timetable and schedule of activities for the elections signed by Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, the notice for the elections would be released on August 17.
Collection of forms CF001 and CF002 by political parties from INEC for the elections would be on August 18, while the conduct of parties primaries would hold from August 18 to September 5, and election campaign would commence by August 18.
The commission also scheduled October 2 as the last day for the submission of nomination forms by political parties and November 14 as the last day for political campaigns.
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