The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed Saturday’s governorship and state assembly elections from March 11 to March 18, 2023.
The postponement was because of the commission’s inability to promptly commence reconfiguration the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines used during the February 25 presidential, senate and house of representative elections to enable their use in the state elections.
INEC was earlier restrained from tampering with the information embedded in the BVAS machines until due inspection was conducted and Certified True Copies (CTC) issued to candidates who are challenging the outcome of the presidential election in the court.
Barr. Festus Okoye, the INEC National Commissioner & Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee confirmed the postponement on Wednesday night.
According to Barr. Okoye, the commission needs time for the reconfiguration of the BVAS used for the Presidential election.
“The BVAS can only be activated on the specific date and time of an election.
“Having been used for the Presidential and National Assembly elections on 25th February 2023, it is necessary to reconfigure the BVAS for activation on the date of the governorship and State Assembly elections.”