2019: INEC releases election timeline, hints at expansion of voters’ register

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has released proposed dates for the 2019 general elections. The votes begin in about 434 days in Africa’s most populated country.
Chairman of the agency, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said vote for Presidential and National Assembly Elections will hold on February 16, 2019 while the Governorship, State Assembly and Area Council Elections in the Federal Capital Territory will hold on March 2, 2019.
Yakubu made the announcement at the on-going induction retreat for Resident Electoral Commissioners in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital Friday.

“All participants at this retreat should be aware that from today, the 2019 general elections to begin with the Presidential and National Assembly Elections on 16th February 2019 are exactly 434 days away. “These will be followed by the Governorship, State and Areas, State Assembly and Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory on 2nd March 2019,” he said.
He added that about 3,630,529 new voters have been registered, saying the registration exercise will continue until 60 days to the general elections.
There are at least about 67 political parties that have expressed interest to participate in the election, he hinted, adding that the agency has also received more than 120 applications from political associations seeking to be registered as political parties.