The Independent National Electoral
Commission has announced the rescheduling of the general elections from
February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11.
The Chairman of the commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, stated this at a press briefing in Abuja Saturday night.
He said the decision was taken after
several consultations with political parties, civil society
organisations, members of the Council of State, INEC national
commissioners and resident electoral commissioners.
With the shift, the Presidential and
National Assembly elections originally scheduled for February 14 will
now hold on March 28 while the governorship and state Houses of Assembly
elections earlier fixed for 28 February will take place on April 11.
Jega said the decision to shift the
elections was a difficult one, but added that it had to be taken because
of the security implications of holding the election without the
support of security agencies.
He said while the commission was ready to conduct the elections, the input of the security agencies was important.
He said, “Whatever the commission does
may not be sufficient to guarantee the success of elections. There are
others like security which is not under the control of INEC.
“On Thursday, February 5, I was invited
to brief the Council of State on the level of preparedness to conduct
the elections. I have detailed account of what the commission had been
doing for the readiness of the elections.
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