Nigeria’s electoral body, INEC, has scheduled the next presidential and parliamentary elections for February 2019.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said the early release of the election schedule was to ensure “proper planning by the commission, political parties, security agencies, candidates and all stakeholders”. In details, presidential and parliamentary elections will be held on February 16, 2019, while regional and local elections will be held on March 2, 2019.

As stipulated in the Nigerian constitution, elections must be conducted within a period 30-150 days before Presidential term officially ends.

Let’s recall that the last election held in March 2015, saw Muhammadu Buhari take over from sitting President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. This was the first election that passed off without any problem, in spite of Nigeria’s history of widespread voter fraud and election-related violence. Buhari assumed office on May 29, 2015.

Anita Fatunji