INEC 2015 General Election timetable released

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Friday unveiled the timetable for the 2015 general elections.

According to the timetable, the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled to hold on February 14,  2015, will precede elections into the State Houses of Assembly, as well as that of all but four of the 36 states of the federation.

This is because the Anambra State governorship elections was held in November 16, 2013, while the governorship elections for Ekiti and Osun States have been slated to hold on June 21st and August 9th, 2014 respectively.

A statement signed by the Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu,  in Abuja, also said the commission fixed state assembly and governorship elections for February 28, 2015.

Ogakwu, who said the timetable, was released after the retreat the commission held in Kaduna State, between Tuesday and Friday, explained that the release was done pursuant to the powers conferred on the commission, by the Constitution and the Electoral Act (2010) as amended.

The commission was however silent on when those interested in the 2015 polls could begin to signal their intention.

Analysts are of the view that by making the time table public, INEC has technically declared that electioneering can commence.

Nigerians would expect a definite pronouncement from President Goodluck Jonathan as to whether or not he would be seeking a second term in office.

The subject has been a source of tension within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party and the nation generally. Apart from the President, individuals in other political parties are also expected to begin to make public their desire to run for elective office.

Political “jobbers” as well as “smart Nigerians” will also revive their hitherto moribund support groups to position themselves for the task ahead.

Small business such as those involved in the printing of T-shirts, banners, handbills and other paraphernalia of political campaigns are also expected to begin preparations to cash in on the windfall as politicians go for broke to get public attention.

Sadly, governance may suffer as elected officials shift attention for the mandate they currently enjoy to seeking for the one ahead.

PUNCH NG