NEWS: INEC Postponed 2015 Election

In spite of the commotion, the Federal Government has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to
postpone the 2015 general elections by six weeks based on security threats The Nation reports.Prof. Attahiru Jega, the Chairman of INEC, who admitted that his hands are tied because of security for the poll is outside his control, has invited all chairmen and secretaries of all registered political parties and Resident Electoral Commissioners for a meeting today.The meeting is expected to consider four key issues and finally decide whether to go ahead withthe poll or not.There were strong indications last night that Jega and his team were under pressure to shift the elections. The commissioners were being threatened to either postpone the polls or be ready to quit at the expiration of their tenure in June this year.According to a dependable source all but two commissioners are due for reappointment in June.But INEC was undecided on whether to stand its ground that the polls should hold as scheduled, yield to the six-week extension or opt for a three/four-week postponement.It was evident last night that the President Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government will not provide security for INEC and its field officers unless the poll is postponed.Findings showed that FG’s demand for a six-week extension was contained in the presentation madeto the Council of State by Jega on Thursday at its session at the Presidential Villa.In the 12-page presentation, “Preparations for the 2015 General Elections Progress Report,” made available to a correspondent of The Nation, by a member of the Council, Jega confirmed the readiness of INEC for the poll, but said he could not ignore the alarm raised by security agencies.Jega said: “Yesterday (Wednesday), for example, we received a letter from the Office of the National Security Adviser(NSA), informing us of recent developments in four (4) of the North-East states, stating that safety and security cannot be guaranteed during the proposed election period, adducing reasons why this is so, and strongly advising that INEC considers rescheduling the elections by at least six (6) weeks, within the provisions of the electoral legal framework, and within which time span it hoped to restore sufficient normalcy for elections to hold.“This is a new development that INEC cannot certainly ignore or take lightly.”Howver, Jega, insisted that INEC was prepared for the 2015 general election more than it did in 2011.“He added: “From the preceding review of the state of preparedness of INEC, in respect of matters under its control, it is clear that in spite of the discernible challenges, things are not as bad as they have been made to appear in recent mediacoverage and public discourses. We are doing our best under very difficult circumstances.“In determining whether or not INEC is adequately prepared to conduct the February 2015 elections as scheduled, we should separate what is under the control of the commission and what is outsideits control.However it would be recalled that the National Security Adviser (NSA) formally asked the Independent National Electoral Commission,(INEC) to postpone next week’s election.