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INEC overestimated its capabilities — YIAGA

By Oludare Richards, Abuja
17 February 2019   |   4:15 am
A Civil Society Organisation (CSO) and accredited election observer, YIAGA AFRICA, described yesterday’s postponement as an indication that “INEC might...

Staff members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) return ballot boxes after outside their local office in Port Harcourt, Southern Nigeria on February 16, 2019 after Nigeria’s electoral watchdog postponed presidential and parliamentary elections for one week, just hours before polls were due to open. The two main political parties swiftly condemned the move and accused each other of orchestrating the delay as a way of manipulating the vote. Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP

A Civil Society Organisation (CSO) and accredited election observer, YIAGA AFRICA, described yesterday’s postponement as an indication that “INEC might have overestimated its own capabilities and/or underrated the challenges associated with the management of election logistics.”

It called on INEC to provide detailed information on the nature and degree of the logistical challenges that occasioned the postponement.

Its Executive Director, Samson Itodo, in a statement, yesterday, said INEC needed to improve its communication and public engagement to give assurances to Nigerians.

“We urge all Nigerians to remain calm and exercise restraint as INEC works towards the new dates. This development is a test of our patriotism and resilience. Keep faith with the process and remain hopeful that the rescheduled elections will meet all standards of credible elections,” it said.

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