The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the dates for the general elections in Nigeria from 2019 to 2055. The chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, announced this at a meeting with the leaders of all political parties in Abuja.
The election dates released are as follows:
| Year |
Presidential and National Assembly elections |
Governorship/State Assembly/Federal Capital Territory Area Council Elections |
| 2019 |
February 16 |
March 2 |
| 2023 |
February 18 |
March 4 |
| 2027 |
February 20 |
March 6 |
| 2031 |
February 15 |
March 1 |
| 2035 |
February 17 |
March 3 |
| 2039 |
February 19 |
March 5 |
| 2043 |
February 21 |
March 7 |
| 2047 |
February 15 |
March 2 |
| 2051 |
February 18 |
March 1 |
| 2055 |
February 20 |
March 6 |
Yakubu explained that the reason behind it is to “engender certainty in our electoral calendar, allows for long-term planning by the commission as well as stakeholders and brings our democracy in line with the best practice around the world. I am glad that this decision has received the overwhelming support of stakeholders”.
He pointed out that in other countries where democracy is practiced, election dates were generally known and not assumed.
The chairman went ahead to say that in the last one week, INEC has received 108 applications from associations seeking to be registered as political parties. He said that 66 of the applications did not meet the initial requirements while 33 passed and has moved on to the next stage. He said that nine others were at the final stage of registration.
Adapted from www.vanguardngr.com
