INEC didn’t postpone 2003 elections despite Catholic bishops’ protest — TheCable newspaper apologises
By Sabiu Abdullahi
TheCable newspaper has issued a correction to its earlier report on the 2003 general elections, clarifying that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not shift the poll dates despite protests by Catholic bishops over a clash with Easter.
The Daily Reality had earlier followed the report, citing TheCable as its source.
According to the updated clarification, INEC fixed the National Assembly elections for April 12, presidential and governorship polls for April 19, and state assembly elections for May 3, 2003.
The April 19 date coincided with Holy Saturday, prompting objections from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, which described the schedule as “unacceptable” and called for a review.
However, despite the concerns raised and the public debate that followed, INEC retained its original timetable and conducted the elections as planned.