The directive was contained in a statement from the commission, which was made available to newsmen in Abuja.
The statement quoted the secretary to the commission, Mrs Augusta Ogakwu, as saying that all the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), had been mandated to set up effective monitoring strategies and ensure that the specified hours were strictly complied with by relevant INEC staff.
According to the statement, the commission, at its meeting on Thursday, January 8, resolved that the period for distribution of the cards should be extended.
It directed that registered voters, yet to collect their cards could now do so from 8. 30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. daily.
It will be recalled that before now, the distribution was done at the local government offices of the commission since the end of distribution at the polling unit level.
Meanwhile, the commission will, today, formally present political parties copies of the voters’ register to be used in conducting the general election.
The ceremony is to take place at the conference hall, INEC headquarters, Abuja.
This is in line with the provisions of Section 20 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended)
This came just as the commission declared that political parties could no longer withdraw or replace their governorship and state House of Assembly candidates from February 28. elections after today.
This was spelt out in the guideline released by INEC and backed by provision of Section 35 of the Electoral Act (2010), which “provides for this to be done not later than 45 days before the election.”
It will be recalled that for the presidential election and National Assembly candidates, the deadline was on December 30, 2014.
The general election will take place on February 14 (presidential and National Assembly) and February 28, governoship and House of Assembly.
Source: Tribune
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