25th February, 2023
The Independent National Electoral Commission has confirmed that voting will continue after 2:30 pm on the condition that there are still eligible voters in the queue.
INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu gave the clarifications on Saturday afternoon after questions were raised about the 2:30 pm guideline released by the agency.
Yakubu, who admitted that INEC officials arrived late to many polling units, urged eligible voters not to panic.
He assured that voting will continue on the condition that eligible voters remain in the queue.
“In line with our policy, any Nigerian in the queue will have the opportunity to vote no matter how long it takes,” Yakubu clearly stated.
Giving reasons for the lateness of INEC officials to polling units, Yakubu said it was due to perennial problems.
The INEC chairman listed logistics as the first reason for the lateness.
He noted that insecurity was also a factor.
Yakubu cited the example of the bandits’ attack in Niger state. The INEC chairman noted that the attack led to the lateness of election materials to polling units in Alawa in Shiriro Local Government Area of Niger State.