As earlier reported, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has postponed the 2015 general elections by six weeks.
As a result of this development, the presidential and National Assembly elections, which was to hold on 14 February will now hold on 28 March, while the governorship and Houses of Assembly elections, originally scheduled for 28 February, will now hold on 11 April.
INEC boss, Attahiru Jega, who spoke to the media on Saturday night, explained in details the next line of action; “We invited you here today to make known the position of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the timetable for the 2015 general elections…”
…”Consequently, the Commission has decided to reschedule the 2015 general elections thus: the national elections (i.e. Presidential and National Assembly) are now to hold on 28 March, 2015; while the state elections (Governorship and State Assembly) are to hold on 11 April, 2015.
“It should be noted that this rescheduling falls within the constitutional framework for the conduct of the elections, notably, Sections 76(2), 116(2), 132(2) and 178(2). See also Section 25 of the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended).
“For the avoidance of doubt, we will under no circumstances approve an arrangement that is not in line with the provisions of our laws. Our hope is that with this rescheduling, the security services will do their best to ensure that the security environment needed for safe and peaceful conduct of the 2015 elections is rapidly put in place”.