Nigeria 2015 Polls: INEC postpones 2015 general elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced a shift in the 2015 general election earlier scheduled for February 14 and 28.

Announcing the postponement at a press conference in Abuja on Saturday night, the chairman of the Commission, Attahiru Jega, said the presidential and national assembly elections will now hold on March 28 while the governorship and state assemblies election will take place on April 11.

Mr. Jega said the elections have to be postponed after the nation’s security agencies indicated to the commission that they were not available to support the elections planned for February 14 and 28.

The INEC chairman said security operatives agencies told INEC that they were commencing a six-week special operation against Boko Haram insurgents in the north eastern corridors of the country and would rather not be distracted by the elections.

Mr. Jega announced that the security forces also said the operations are due to commence on February 14, the date INEC had planned for the presidential and federal legislative elections. This decision by the security forces, he said rendered INEC’s readiness and hitherto insistence to go ahead with the elections a risky venture.

Below are the exact words of the INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega...
"There are critical things that fall outside the control of an electoral management body. There are a number of issues that are critical to elections like security which is not under the control of INEC."

"I was invited to brief the Council of State on INEC's preparedness for 2015 elections. The summary of my presentation to the COS is that INEC is substantially ready to conduct elections. In addition, in the delivery of election materials, INEC has made delivery to the states. INEC is capable of delivering free and fair elections."

"However, as I mentioned earlier, there are other factors to conduct while planning elections like security. I'll like to reiterate here that INEC is an Electoral Mgt Body and not a security agency. In consideration of the advice by the security agencies, it will be unconscionable to have elections without adequate security."

"The security agencies reiterated that they will be concentrating their attention to the insurgency and may not be able to play its traditional role in providing security during the elections."

"The questions from stakeholders has been:
1) should INEC proceed with the elections despite consultations with the security agencies.
2) take into consideration the concerns and reschedule the date of elections."

"INEC not being a security agency and concern for the staff and observers during elections, INEC cannot guarantee protection. Under this circumstances, few EMBs will proceed with elections after the security consultations."

"Consequently the Commission has rescheduled the elections, President, Senate and House of Assembly has been moved to Mar 28."

"Governor and State of Assembly has been rescheduled to April 11th."

"We in INEC promise to deliver free, fair and credible elections. We implore the security agency to stick to their promise and commitment made to INEC."

"We wish to call on all Nigerians to accept this in good faith to deepen democracy in our country Nigeria."






















During a section of questions and answers, he reaffirmed,

"As I speak with you, I do not envisage any cost implication because of the rescheduling of elections."

"If there are sufficient grounds for me to resign, I'll resign but I assure that I will not resign. Instead of me to show bias and support one party over another in this job, I'll rather resign. I will not be distracted by calls for resignation, I will only resign if there are legitimate reasons."

"I want to assure Nigerians that no one is forcing the Commission to take this decision."

"From my understanding, when you schedule elections no law can stop it. The security agencies have told us that they can restore normalcy within 6 wks. I hope that we should keep hope alive. What INEC cannot do is conduct elections outside the time prescribed by the constitution."

"PVC collection will continue in states to enable people collect their PVC. It is not true that 8 million PVCs has not been delivered, 96% has been delivered and sent to state for distribution. INEC cannot be blamed for people not collecting their cards after it has been distributed."

"The advise by the security chiefs is that it will be impossible to secure elections while a military operation is going on. We will do everything possible to make sure there is no additional shift after this rescheduling."

"If Presidential/Gubernatorial elections cannot be held in 4 states in the North-East, the likelihood of an inconclusive election is high."

"The ballot papers are secure and kept in a vault at the CBN until collection 2 days before elections."

"I thank you for your patience and assure you we are doing our best for our country."