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INEC
Postpones National
Assembly elections
Newsdiaryonline Sat April 2,2011
INEC
Chairman Professor Attahiru Jega has announced the
cancellation of the National Assembly elections scheduled to
hold today.In fact, there were voters
in queues doing their accreditation .But it later emerged that
electons have been
cancelled in some states because of some unforeseen
hitches.Elections are now re -scheduled to hold on Monday.
Jega in a broadcast to Nigerians apologized
for the fiasco
Jega's speech:
Since this Commission started work in
July 2010, I have repeatedly promised Nigerians that in carrying
out our duties we shall always be sincere and truthful with
Nigerians.
I have always said that this INEC will be upfront with
Nigerians, telling you exactly how things are– sharing both our
successes and difficulties with you.
This is one such occasion. As you know the National Assembly
(House of Representatives and Senatorial) elections are supposed
to be taking place as I speak. You would also have noticed that
things have not proceeded smoothly as expected with the
elections.
The reason for this is the unanticipated emergency we have
experienced with late arrival of result sheets in many parts of
the country. The result sheets are central to the integrity of
the election.
Accordingly, in many places, our officials have not reported
at the polling units, making it now difficult to implement the
Modified Open Ballot Procedure that we have adopted. Notonly do
we have to enter the results in the sheets, the number of
accredited voters is also to be entered in the result sheet.
While we could have proceeded with the elections in some
parts of the country where all the materials are available, such
as Lagos, Kebbi, Delta, Zamfara and Enugu, among others, in
order to maintain the integrity of the elections and retain
effective overall control of the process, the Commission has
taken the difficult but necessary decision to postpone the
National Assembly elections by to Monday, April 4, 2011.I appeal
to all Nigerians for their understanding in this difficult
situation.
We as a Commission appreciate the profound sacrifice that you
have all made not just in turning out today, but also throughout
this election season. We are greatly encouraged by you and our
appeal is that you remain steadfast in this last lap of this
electoral process in the interest of all Nigerians and in the
cause of democracy.
The Commission will be meeting with all political parties, as
major stakeholders immediately to explain the situation. I
appeal for their support in explaining the situation to their
members and supporters.
May I also appeal to all other stakeholders, particularly
national and international observers and our development
partners for continued understanding. I realize that they have
committed enormous resources to this process, especially in
deploying observers in the field.
However, we think that what is worth doing is worth doing
well. Finally, let me reiterate that we a fully committed to
conducting free, fair and credibleelections for Nigerians. The
decision the Commission has taken is weighty; but it is also a
very important step in further ensuring the credibility of the
elections
.
Before the postponement:Voters at 2/2
Kubwa queue for accreditation today
Earlier Reports
Elections into the National Assembly have been suspended in the
Federal Capital Territory , Abuja .Officials of the Independent
ElectoralCommission FCT office said some vendors of materials
required for the polls have not delivered them yet.No further
details were available as at the time of filing this report.
But the suspension created some panic in some circles as some
residents made frantic phone calls to ascertain the claim that
the elections have been put on
hold.
Prior the
suspension voters had thronged some voting centres
and accreditation was proceeding amidst the mammoth crowd
in some places.At Kubwa 2/2
voters had turned out in large numbers .The INEC
officials were assisted by policemen and civil dfence officials
to maintain order.
A few metre away, FRSC men were seen
along the main road
evidently enforcing the
restrictions on vehicular movements.
`People were here trying to do their accreditations when INEC
officials suddenly packed their items and left’ said a voterwho
called Newsdiaryonline from Kubwa to confirm whether in deed the
polls have been put on hold.
Reports on Local FM
Radio said there is unrest in Maraba surburb of Abuja.The
residents of the area were said to be protesting against the
suspension in Abuja
Reports say elections may have been suspended in some other
states like Edo ,Rivers and Taraba states.
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