The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed the conduct of the October 31 legislative bye-elections in Ibaji, Kogi state and 10 other states.
In a statement on Thursday, Festus Okoye, INEC spokesman, said the 15 bye-elections have been put on hold because of the raging #EndSARS protests in many parts of the country.
The elections, for six senatorial districts and nine state constituencies, were scheduled to hold on October 31.
“INEC met today, 22nd October 2020 with the 37 Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to review preparations for the 15 bye- elections in 11 States of the Federation scheduled to hold on October 31, 2020.
“The Commission has decided to postpone the bye-elections in the 6 Senatorial Districts and 9 State Constituencies”, the statement added, following a review of the security situation in the country,” the statement read.
The electoral umpire noted that further review of the security situation will be held in two weeks with a view to fixing a feasible date for the elections.
“The safety of the voters, election officials and other stakeholders is paramount to the Commission in conducting elections.”
Section 26 (2) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), empowers INEC to postpone an election if there is reason to believe that a serious breach of the peace is likely to occur if the election is proceeded with on that date, or that it is impossible to conduct the elections as a result of natural disasters or other emergencies.
Protests against police brutality under the #EndSARS movement had turned violent resulting in several deaths across the country.
At least seven states including Lagos where the protest has been concentrated, have imposed a curfew to quell the violence.
Some of the states the elections were to hold, including those currently under curfew, include Bayelsa, Borno, Cross River, Lagos, Kogi, Zamfara and Plateau.
