The Independent National Electoral Commission of Nigeria has ruled out any postponement of the 2023 general election, stating that resources are needed for a smooth election.
Aminu Isah, the INEC Head of Operations in Gombe, made the announcement on Saturday during a meeting with youth-focused groups in the North-East under the theme 'Making your votes count; Consolidating democracy.'
According to our correspondent, the engagement was part of the Commission's effort to sensitize youths, particularly corps members, religious, and civil society groups.
Isah revealed that, unlike in the past, INEC now has the resources it needs to smooth out the electoral processes.
"The 2023 elections will be the best election to be conducted from inception. INEC has received all of its funds ahead of the elections. There will not be any possible postponement of 2023 elections, unlike the 2019,” he said.
On Permanent Voters Card collection, he revealed that collection had commenced in earnest, saying, “All the states have received the last tranche of the printed PVCs for those that registered.”
Also speaking, the Gombe State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ibrahim Umar, who represented the National Commissioner in charge of Taraba, Gombe and Adamawa states, Dr. Baba Bila, said the Commission had received non-sensitive materials and some sensitive materials in readiness of the elections.
Bila said the youth population constituted over 50 per cent in the country, stressing that their involvement was important.
He said, “INEC is fully prepared to conduct a free, fair, timely and all-inclusive election come 2023. The Head of Operations has already told you that most of the non-sensitive materials, we have already received them, and among the sensitive materials, we have received the full complement of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System. By the grace of God, we are not going to have any hitches.”