Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has decided to postpone the general elections scheduled for February 14 and 28, 2015 for about six weeks to enable the Multi-national Joint Tast Force (MNJTF) to secure parts of the North Eastern region, currently troubled by Islamist sect, Boko Haram.
INEC authorities held a meeting with the leadership of political parties and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and Security Agents on Today, February 7, 2015.
The Presidential and National Assembly elections originally scheduled for February 14 have been shifted to March 28 while the governorship and states houses of assembly elections earlier slated for February 28 have been been moved to April 11.
The change in the elections date was officially announced by INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega some minutes ago.
With Boko Haram still holding swaths of territory in the North East, millions could be disenfranchised which warranted the shifting of the polls.
The presidency and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had earlier called for the shifting of the polls due to security and logistics reasons while the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) have insisted on the polls holding as planned.
With the said postponement, about 30 million citizens are to receive their voter cards, thereby including a large percentage of the electorate in the electioneering process.
Prof. Attahiru Jega is presently responding to questions from the press........
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