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The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Attahiru Jega, finally addressed Journalists at about 11 pm Saturday night, confirming the postponement of the elections as follows:
Presidential and National Assembly elections originally scheduled for 14 February have been rescheduled to March 28 while the governorship and state houses of assembly elections earlier fixed for 28 February will now hold on 11 April.
Jega said the commission was empowered by Section 26 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) to shift national elections due to some factors.
He explained that the postponement followed reports by the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), and other service chiefs that their agencies would not be able to guarantee security of INEC personnel in some parts of the country.
Jega denied holding meetings with any opposition figure or the Arewa Consultative Forum to rig election in favour of any candidate, dismissing calls on him by some people from the South-South to resign.
He also denied insinuations that the commission was forced to take shift the polls, saying INEC had taken the best decision under the prevailing circumstances.
“Nobody has forced us to take this decision; it is a very weighty decision, but under the present circumstances, we have taken the best decision and we stand by it,” he added.
For the safety of the over 600,000 Adhoc staff to be used which includes NYSC members and students of tertiary institutions, the elections have been postponed.
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.
What are your thoughts on this new development?...Please keep it clean. As always, no swear words, abuse or racism.
Thanks.
FROM KROCCITYONTV
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