2019 elections won’t be shifted – INEC

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, insisted on Friday that the 2019 general elections won’t be shifted.

The Commission is presently starved of funds as virement for its preparation for the elections are still in the National Assembly.

Speaking with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Yakubu said: “I have said this over and over again, there are no conditions under which elections should be postponed, under section 26 of the Electoral Act, the date is formed and fixed is February 16, 2019.

“We issued the timetable way in advance for the very first time in the history of our nation, citizens of Nigeria know when elections will take place one year in advance. It has never happen before.

“Secondly, also for the very first time in the history of our country, that citizens know the budget of the electoral commission, that budget has never been defended before the National Assembly, as citizens know line by line how much the Commission proposed, what the money is going to be spent on, I think I am very happy with this process.

“On the virement, well, we have made the clarification that the National Assembly asked for and I am happy that the National Assembly and the two committees on INEC expressed satisfaction on the clarification that we made for the matter of appropriation. So we look forward to hearing what the National Assembly will say.”

According to him, the Commission requested for N189.2 billion, which he claimed is what the executive proposed to the National Assembly.

“So there are no discrepancies in the figures at all,” Yakubu added.