INEC: Election Will Not Disturb Valentine's Day

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that the Presidential and National Assembly elections fixed to hold on February 14, were no intentions to put into shade Saint Valentine’s Day.

The Chief Press Secretary to the commission’s Chairman,
Kayode Idowu, explained that the election date was just a
coincidence.

“When the commission was taking that decision, it never
even occurred to the leaders of the commission that it
was Valentine’s Day. But then, it is a day for showing love
and if we can show love that will discourage people from inciting violence.

“That will discourage you from being hateful towards
another person on that day. It will make the election
peaceful. So, it is a good coincidence. ”

He also urged Nigerians to vote responsibly and make the election peaceful.

“The message of the day is to show love for one another
and therefore, there is no basis for violence, acrimony and
being unruly because that day is a day for showing
amenable conduct towards others. So, that should guide
the behaviours of voters as they go out to vote.”

It should be noted that a special task force was set up by
the commission to give Internally Displaced Persons
(IDPs) opportunity to vote.

According to the Chief Press Secretary, the group had already submitted its report to the commission.

Kayode, however, did not give any details of the
recommendations but said that the specific modality
would be announced as to how the IDPs would be able to
vote.