Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) – Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday night announced the postponement of the country’s 2015 general elections from February 14, and 28, to March 28, and 11 April, citing concerns about the security of voters and staffers nationwide.
”The National Security Adviser and the Service Chiefs have told us that they need at least six weeks to conclude major security operations against insurgents in the North-east (which is worst hit by the Boko Haram insurgency), hence they will not be able to provide the traditional support for the police during the elections,” INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega told journalists.
He said the presidential and federal legislative elections would now be held on March 28 instead of February 14, while the governorship and state legislative polls would be held on April 11, instead of February 28.
He said the decision to postpone the elections was taken within the framework of the country’s Constitution, which provides that elections must hold at least 30 days before the handover date of May 29.
