INEC said the 2019 Presidential and National Assembly elections will take place on Saturday, 16th February of the same year.
Thereafter; the election of state governors and House of Assembly members, as well as Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory will hold on 2nd of March.
The announcement was made by INEC National Commissioner in charge of South-West, Prince SOLOMON SOYEBI, during a media briefing in Abuja.
Prince SOYEBI said the early announcement is in line with the maturity of Nigeria’s democracy and also in keeping with the democratic tradition around the world, which emphasizes certainty in the schedule of events.
The INEC National Commission the election timetable is also in line with provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, which provides for elections to hold not earlier than one hundred and fifty days and not later than thirty days to the end of the tenure of the incumbent administration.
With the announcement of the date; the INEC official said the commission would be able to plan ahead, as well as enable political parties, security agencies, candidates and all stakeholders to make adequate preparations.
Meanwhile; INEC has also resolved that twenty-three of its personnel who are facing trial for their alleged involvement in electoral malpractices in Rivers State are to be placed on half salaries.
The National Commissioner in charge of South-West, Prince SOLOMON ATOYEBI said the official who served as Electoral Officers during the rerun elections on 10th December last year would also not be allowed to report for duty pending the conclusion of their trial in court.
