INEC to decide on the 2015 Elections postponement today

The Independent National Electoral Commission will take a final
decision on whether to shift the dates for the elections or not in
Abuja on Saturday (today).
But before the decision is taken, the National Chairman of the
Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, will have consultative meetings with
chairmen and secretaries of all registered political parties.
He is also expected to meet with the Resident Electoral Commissioners
on the same day, Saturday, February 7.
On Thursday, Jega, was invited to brief the National Council of States
on the preparedness of INEC to conduct the 2015 general elections.
The INEC boss has been under tremendous pressure to shift the polls.
Some political parties and other stakeholders have been calling for
the postponement of the election.
Jega made a presentation titled, "Preparations for the 2015 General
Elections: Progress Report.
The National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dansuki and Armed Services
Chiefs also briefed the Council on the current security situation.
The Chief Press Secretary to Jega, Mr. Kayode Idowu, confirmed this in
a statement he signed in Abuja on Friday.
He said, "As a follow-up to that (Council of State) meeting, the
Commission has scheduled a consultative meeting with chairmen and
secretaries of all registered political parties, as well as a meeting
with the RECs on Saturday, February 7, 2015.
"Thereafter, the Commission will address a press conference to brief
the nation on its decision with regard to whether or not the general
elections will hold as currently scheduled."
Our correspondent gathered that the dates for the elections might be shifted.
Security agencies were said to have written to Jega, saying the
security situation in the country does not warrant holding the
election as scheduled.
Meanwhile, Jega, in his presentation to the Council of State said the
NSA asked for a six-week postponement of the election.
His presentation read in part, "Although our state of preparedness may
not be 100 per cent and although a bit of more time of additional
preparation would enable us to improve and perfect the current level
of preparedness, we believe that we're ready for the elections as
planned.
"However, we also believe that it is necessary to take into context
the things outside the control of the commission, such as: attitude of
politicians, political parties, candidates and voters; and
significantly, security for election personnel, materials and voters,
especially in areas under insurgency, which only the appropriate
authorities can definitely speak on.
"No matter the extent of our readiness, if there are serious security
concerns, the successful conduct of free, fair, credible and peaceful
elections would be greatly jeopardised.
"INEC has been working with these authorities, especially under the
inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, but our
concerns have not been assuaged.
Firstclassnewsline.net
"Yesterday, for example, we received a letter from the office of the
National Security Adviser informing us of recent developments in four
of the North-East states, states 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 weeks, within which time span it is hoped to
restore sufficient normalcy for elections to hold.
"This is a new development that INEC cannot certainly ignore or take lightly."
Jega said the conduct of the elections could not be based on the
electoral body's preparation alone, adding that some factors outside
the control of the body should be considered before holding the polls.
He said, "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 outside its
control.
"For the things under the commission's control, our accomplishments
are to such a degree that we can conduct the election, in spite of the
identifiable challenges.
"Compared with the 2011 general elections, for instance, our systems
are definitely more robust now. Among others, we have a gently
improved registered voters, having removed over four million multiple
registrants; voters will use PVCs; and accreditation using card
readers will reduce the likelihood of fraud."
According to him, only relevant authorities, not the commission, can
speak on the issues.
Jega said, "No matter the extent of our readiness, if there are
serious security concerns, the successful conduct of free, fair,
credible and peaceful elections would be greatly jeopardised.
"INEC has been working with these authorities, especially under the
Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, but our
concerns have not been assuaged."
Firstclassnewsline.net