Nigeria’s electoral body INEC has postponed the conduct of the October 31 legislative bye-elections in 11 states.

The commission, which made the disclosure Thursday, hinged the postponement on the violence that has marred the raging #EndSARS protests in many parts of the country.

“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″, a national commissioner Festus Okoye said in a statement.

“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 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”, the statement emphasised.

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.