INEC Postpones Nigeria’s Elections To March 28 And April 11

The new schedule was announced on Saturday by the
Chairman of the commission, Professor Attahiru Jega,
after meetings with political stakeholders .
Professor Jega said that the Presidential Election would
hold on March 28 while the Governorship election
would hold on April 11.
At a press briefing after the last meeting for the day
between Professor Jega and other top officials of the
INEC, Professor Jega said that the commission’s
decision was not influenced by any group or
individuals.
“We have done wide reaching consultations to enable
us have as much input as necessary before taking an
informed decision.
“In the series of consultations that we had with
stakeholders, the questions constantly posed to them
for consideration are; in view of the latest
developments, should INEC proceed with the conduct of
the general elections as scheduled in spite of the strong
advice and if so, what alternative security arrangements
are available to be put in place.
“The second is; should INEC take the advice of the
security chiefs and adjust the schedules of the general
elections within the framework of the constitutional
provisions,” Professor Jega said.
‘Concerned About Security’
According to him, the commission decided to take the
advice of the security chiefs and adjust the dates of the
elections in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
“We have done this, relying on section 26 (1) of the
Electoral Act, as amended.
“Where a date has been appointed for the holding of an
election and there is reason to believe that a serious
breach of the peace is likely to occur if the election is
proceeded with on that date or it is impossible to
conduct an election as a result of natural disaster or
other emergencies, the commission may postpone the
election and shall in respect of the area or areas
concerned appoint another day for the holding of the
postponed election provided that such reason for the
postponement is cogent and verifiable.”
The chairman of the INEC pointed out that for the fact
the commission was not a security agency that could
guarantee protection of personnel, voters during
elections and observers, the commission could not
likely wave-off the advice by the nation’s security
chiefs.
“The commission is concerned about the security of our
ad-hoc staff, the young men and women of the NYSC
and students of the tertiary education who constitute at
least 600,000 young men and women that we will use in
the election,” he said.
Professor Jega further said that the concern was not
limited to the areas in the north-eastern part of the
nation that has witnessed series of attacks by the
members of a terrorist group, the Boko Haram but to
the security of the commission’s officials and the
observers.
“We believe that few election management bodies
around the world will contemplate conducting elections
under this circumstances,” he said, emphasising that
“the prospect for free, fair and credible elections will not
be guaranteed if the election was held as scheduled”.
In the new schedule, the Presidential and National
Assembly elections will hold on March 28 while the
Governorship and State Assemblies elections will hold
on April 11.
In the initial schedule, the elections were meant to hold
on February 14 and 28.
Taken In Good Faith
The commission’s boss said that the rescheduling fell
within the constitutional framework for the conduct of
the election, stressing that the INEC will, “under no
circumstances approve an arrangement that is not in
line with the provisions of our rules”.
Professor Jega said that the decision to shift the
election was taken in good faith and in the best interest
of democracy in Nigeria.
The commission expressed hopes that the security
services would ensure that the security environment
needed for safe and peaceful conduct of the elections
were rapidly put in place, promising that it would do
everything within the law to conduct a free fair and
credible election.
“We call on security agencies to restore sufficient
normalcy for elections to take place within the period of
extension.
“Nigerians and political parties candidates were urged
to accept the decision in good faith and ensure the
maintenance of peace.”
PVC Distribution
The issue of Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) distribution
had also been raised at different occasions, with some
electorates lamenting that the process of distribution
was slow.
Professor Jega said that out of the 68.8 million number
of registered voters 66.58 per cent of the PVCs have
been distributed, promising that the commission would
continue to do its best to resolve all issues in respect of
non-collection of the PVC.
He further said that the commission had considered the
effect the postponement would have, but decided to
take the decision in the interest of the nation’s
democracy.
Few days ago, the National Security Adviser to
President Goodluck Jonathan had advised the INEC to
postpone the elections citing cases of insecurity in the
north-east that has scuttled the chances of conducting
election in the region.
On Friday, a spokesman for the President, Dr. Doyin
Okupe, said that the president had called for the
postponement of the elections to ensure that persons in
the nation’s north-east would be able to take part in the
elections, expressing worries that people would be
disenfranchised, if elections were held as scheduled.
The opposition APC had asked the INEC to go ahead
and hold the elections as scheduled, alleging that the
presidency was pushing for a postponement because
his party was not ready for the election.
But INEC’s boss said that the commission was not
forced by anybody to postpone the elections.
The postponement of the election will further give
political parties more time to seek supports votes