INEC Denies Shifting Edo, Ondo Governorship Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied reports that it would shift the conduct of the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.

It would be recalled that the electoral body had scheduled the elections to hold in September in Edo and October in Ondo State before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

INEC was responding to a report by a national newpaper that the Commission will shift the dates of the governorship elections as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of the Commission, Rotimi Oyekanmi, INEC described the report as speculative and incorrect, adding that it gives a totally wrong impression.

According to Oyekanmi, the decision to change the dates already announced for the elections is a serious matter, which only the Commission can take.

Oyekanmi said: “Let me state here that the decision to change the dates already announced for the two elections is a very serious matter. Only the Commission can take that decision and it has to be officially communicated via a press statement.

“However, it appears that what some Editors are really looking for is for INEC to declare that it is postponing the Edo & Ondo governorship elections. But they cannot and should not put words in the Commission’s mouth! There is nowhere in Okoye’s response where he expressly declared that the elections will be postponed.

“So casting the headline:” INEC to Shift Edo, Ondo Guber Polls”, is speculative and incorrect. It gives a totally wrong impression. A lot of people will believe the headline without reading the story”, he said.

Source:- RipplesNigeria