The Independent National Electoral Commission has rescheduled the governorship elections in Bayelsa and Kogi States by two weeks.
The elections earlier fixed for November 2 will now hold on November 16.
A statement issued by INEC Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Festus Okoye, on Thursday, said the change in date followed various appeals from stakeholders for the commission to reschedule the polls.
Recall that the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Gboribiogha John Jonah led some Bayelsa stakeholders on a courtesy visit to the chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, asking for adjustment in the date of the governorship election.
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He said November 2 originally scheduled for the election happened to be the state’s annual thanksgiving service day which is backed by law.
The statement read in part: “After a careful consideration of the appeals, the Commission at its regular weekly meeting held today, Thursday 16th May, decided to shift the governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States to Saturday 16th November 2019.
“The timelines for all other activities leading to the elections have also been adjusted to align with the new date.”
The adjusted timetable and schedule of activities shows that conduct of party primaries and resolution of disputes would hold between August 18 and September 5.
Campaigns will also commence on August 18 and end on November 14.
