Those who want the 2023 general elections shifted should perish the thought, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said yesterday.
The Commission said it was constitutionally bound by its timetable, despite threats.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, told The Nation: “Postponing and or suspending the 2023 general election are not options on the table.
“The Commission is not considering or contemplating such an eventuality.
“The Nigerian people empanelled the Commission to organise, undertake and supervise elections and not to lament.
“The Commission conducted the Anambra Governorship election in the context of challenging security conditions and Nigerians adjudged the election as free, fair, credible and inclusive.
“There are significant security challenges in Nigeria and no one is glossing over them.
“The security challenges in Nigeria will no doubt impact the electoral process but the conduct of the election is not a tea party.
“Conducting election is a complex and complicated venture involving a complex set of stakeholders with varying and differing perspectives and competence.
“The Commission will continue to work with and consult with the security agencies and all the critical stakeholders towards degrading the security situation in the country.
“Nigerians must be in a position to access the polling units unimpeded.
“Nigerians must have confidence that their votes will count.
“The Commission will continue to make it possible for Nigerians displaced by conflicts and who are in IDP camps to vote.”
Besides, Okoye said sections 76(2), 116(2), 132(2) and 178(2) of the Constitution provide that an election for the office of the president and governor must be held on a date not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of that office.
“This constitutionally circumscribed timeframe is not movable and no individual or court can extend this period.
“The alternative is a constitutional crisis that may lead to indeterminate outcomes.
“As a Commission, we have our eyes on the ball and will continue to plan and deploy conflict mitigation tools and strategies in the electoral process,” the National Commissioner said.
On how the security situation may affect the election cost, Okoye said: “It is too early to make a determination whether the security situation in the country will dramatically affect the cost of elections.
“Nigerians must remain positive and work towards the peaceful resolution of the challenges of our nation.
“Democracy is not a finished product. We must continue to work and nurture it.”
Army promises safe polls
The Nigerian Army said it would ensure hitch-free elections next year with Operation Safe Conduct.
It said the operation would provide a secured and conducive environment for the conduct of the 2023 general elections.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, said the Army would remain apolitical.
Speaking at the closing of the Chief of Army Staff Quarter Conference in Abuja, he said: “As we carry out our constitutional duties of maintaining peace and security in aid of civil authority across the country, let me emphasise that we should all remain professional and glaringly apolitical.
“We should also continue to uphold human rights principles in the conduct of our operations in tandem with the constitution and our rules of engagement.
“This is particularly important as the activities outlined in the INEC calendar gather steam.
“In line with our constitutional responsibilities, we will continue to provide a conducive and secured environment for the conduct of the general elections through Operation Safe Conduct in aid to civil authority.
“I also want to reaffirm the commitment and unalloyed loyalty of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army to the Constitution and to the President.”
