The Electoral Commission in Nigeria has postponed the 14 February presidential election by six weeks over concerns about the security situation.
ADVERTISEMENT
Election Postponed Over Security Fears
Security fears have forced the Electoral Commission in Nigeria to postpone its presidential election which was originally scheduled for 14 February to 28 March.
Recommended articles
Political parties had debated whether it was possible to hold a ballot while militants occupied much of the north-east of the country.
The election will now be held on 28 March instead.
The electoral authorities had resisted all attempts to postpone the vote up until Saturday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Nigeria's national security adviser had previously requested a delay to allow more time for voter card distribution.
Electoral officials met political parties on Saturday to canvass their views.
The chairman of Nigeria's Electoral Commission, Attahiru Jega, said the six-week delay was unavoidable after he was informed that the military would not be available to help during the election.
Security chiefs advised him that troops would be too busy fighting Boko Haram jihadists in the north-east to assist across the country.
The postponement is a highly contentious move, the BBC's Will Ross reports from Lagos.
ADVERTISEMENT
Officials from the main opposition party accuse the military of forcing the electoral commission into the delay to help President Goodluck Jonathan's campaign.
It looks set to be a tight race between the incumbent and the former military ruler, Muhammadu Buhari, our correspondent says.
The postponement may well increase the tension which is already palpable, he adds.
Source: BBC
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh
Recommended articles
"If I were President, I'd be asking some serious questions" - Mahama
Bawumia vows reconstruction of fire-ravaged Madina Market
Government committed to establishing Ghana as a bilingual state – Akufo-Addo
Train accident photo posted on my social media pages is a photoshop - Peter Amewu
Court jails truck driver 6 months for causing Ghana's brand-new train accident
609 Ghanaians died in first 3 months of 2024 through road crashes - NRSA reveals
Joseph Addo files nomination to contest as NPP Parliamentary aspirant for La Dadekotopon
Dumsor: ECG board members reject PURC GH¢5.8m fine
