The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the extension of voting in the presidential and national assembly elections in Cross River State to Sunday, February 26. This announcement was made in a statement signed by Mrs. Anthonia Nwobi, Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity, on behalf of Prof. Gabriel Yomere, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Cross River.
According to Nwobi, the extension became necessary for the presidential and national assembly election to hold in areas of the state where it could not hold on the original date of February 25. “The extension to Sunday was for the exercise to hold in polling units and wards in Cross River that election did not take place, including Bakassi Local Government Area, Dayspring 1 and 2 as well as Qua Island,” she said.
She further explained that voting in the affected areas would resume by 8 am and end at noon. “All stakeholders, including members of political parties, Interagency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), Observers, the press, INEC staff and ad-hoc personnel for the 2023 general elections should be guided,” she added.
The commission reassured all eligible voters of its resolution that no registered voter would be disenfranchised in the 2023 general election. However, ACG James Bassey of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), had said earlier that some hoodlums were preventing the movement of people.
The extension of the election has been widely welcomed by voters in Cross River State, who are eager to exercise their civic duty. INEC’s decision to extend the election will provide an opportunity for all eligible voters to participate in the electoral process and help shape the future of the state and the country as a whole.
