By Desire Emmanuel
With the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections currently scheduled for Saturday, February 21, the national leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has written the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) requesting for the postponement of the election.
The party based its demand for the postponement of the on the Ramadan fast which will be observed in the month of the election.
In a letter signed by Senator David Mark, and Rauf Aregbesola, National Chairman and Secretary of the party and dated January 22, the ADC drew the attention of the commission to the fact that “the scheduled election date falls within the period of the Ramadan fast, which is likely to be observed by a significant portion of the electorate in the Federal Capital Territory.”
The ADC noted in the letter that given the profound cultural and religious significance of the period, and in the interest of robust and active participation in the democratic process by all eligible voters, it was necessary to request a reconsideration of the election date.
The party therefore asked that INEC “postpones the election to a date after the Ramadan period.”
The letter further emphasised that the request was guided by the need to protect inclusivity in the electoral process, stating that it was made “in pursuit of an inclusive electoral process that enables all eligible citizens, irrespective of faith, to fully exercise their constitutional rights without constraint or disadvantage.”
The ADC also made clear that its engagement with the commission was institutional and procedural, noting its willingness to comply fully with due process, and requesting “guidance on the procedural requirements for submitting a formal application in accordance with the Electoral Act, the constitution, and the commission’s guidelines.”
