In view of the need to ensure certainty in the election calendar, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has set the dates for the nations general election for the next 36 years.
The dates therefore cover 10 general elections in Nigeria starting from 2019.
The Chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, announced the dates on Wednesday during a consultative meeting with leaders of political parties in Abuja.
He explained that that was the standard practice in other democratic countries.
Announcing the dates of the elections, he said: “In 2019, the dates are February 16 and March 2 and in 2023, the dates are February 18 and March 4.
“In 2027, the dates are February 20 and March 6 and in 2031, it is February 15 and March 1.
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“In 2035, it is February 17 and March 3; in 2039, it is February 19 and March 5 and in 2043, it will hold on February 21 and March 7.
“In 2047, it is February 15 and March 2; in 2051, it is February 18 and March 1; in 2055, it isFebruary 20 and March 6.”
Yakubu had about two days ago announced that it would stick to the sequence of the time table it announced for the coming general election.
INEC had scheduled the presidential election to come first, but the National Assembly had reversed the order.
Yakubu said except the amendment was assented to, the original time table remained.