The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has not extended the period of voting in 16 states.
The commission described the news making rounds on social media as fake news saying it should be regarded.
INEC has however said that elections will be held in nine polling units at Ganaja village in Ajaokuta LGA of Kogi state on Sunday.
The electoral umpire also extended elections in some 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
A statement stating that INEC has extended the voting period for the presidential and national assembly elections is presently circulating on WhatsApp.
A statement circulating on WhatsApp claims that INEC has has extended the voting period for the presidential and national assembly elections to Sunday, February 26 due to violence experienced in some areas, and the late arrival of election materials in other locations.
The statement identified affected states as Lagos (Surulere, Ikate, Okota, Eti-Osa, Kosofe and Oshodi), FCT, Ebonyi, Rivers, Imo, Anambra, Kano, Edo, Delta, Kogi, Bayelsa, Enugu, Sokoto, Taraba, Abia, and, Ekiti.
“Voting in the affected areas will resume by 8 am till 12 pm on the 26th February 2023,” the statement read in part.
However, Festus Okoye, INEC’s national commissioner and chairman of the information and voter education committee, he said the message is “fake.”
Also, Rotimi Oyekanmi, INEC spokesperson, in a post on Twitter, asked Nigerian to disregard the message.
“INEC did not extend the voting period in 16 States. The story below is fake and should be disregarded.
“An extension of time was granted voters in areas where PUs did not open at 8.30am. Voters on the queue before 2.30pm are then allowed beyond the 2.30pm stoppage time.
Presidential election was held across the country on Saturday, with reports of violence in some polling units in Lagos, Edo, Imo and others. There were also reports of late arrival of election materials and INEC officials in many polling units across the country.
INEC did not extend the voting period in 16 States. The story below is fake and should be disregarded.
An extension of time was granted voters in areas where PUs did not open at 8.30am. Voters on the queue before 2.30pm are then allowed beyond the 2.30pm stoppage time. pic.twitter.com/Ave5dz7n9f
— Rotimi L Oyekanmi (@rot1930) February 25, 2023
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
