As earlier reported by The Trent, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed the postponement of the 2015 general elections, earlier scheduled to hold on Saturday, February 14 and Saturday, February 28, 2015.
The presidential and national assembly elections will now hold on Saturday, March 28, 2015 while the governorship and state senatorial polls will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2015.
INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega explained that the commission was prepared for the election but needed to tackle the security challenges in parts of the country, especially after security agencies had advised against the deployment of operatives from duty in the fight against insurgency.
He further explained that the election shift was constitutional as the commission had only invoked Section 76(2), Section 116(2), Section 132(2) Section 178(2). of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
Jega also cited Section 25 of the 2010 Electoral Act.
The INEC chief also explained that the postponement will also help the commission distribute more Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) as many are yet to still be claimed.
