Full INEC Chairman's Statement on 2015 Election Schedule | Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog

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Sunday 8 February 2015

Full INEC Chairman's Statement on 2015 Election Schedule

Last night, INEC chairman announced the postponement of the 2015 general elections. Below is the full statement he gave to the press... 
Ladies and Gentlemen, We invited you here today to make known the position of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the timetable for the 2015 general elections. Let me state from the outset that the Commission’s position was reached after carefully weighing the suggestions from briefings held with different stakeholders in the electoral process.

The conduct of elections in a country like Nigeria is invariably a collective venture that involves not just the Election Management Body (EMB), but also a diverse range of stakeholders, notably security agencies, political parties and their candidates, voters, as well as interest groups, such as the civil society organizations and the media.To guarantee successful conduct of elections, there are things that are wholly the responsibility of the EMB. But there are other things critical for the success of elections, which fall outside the control of the EMB.

In other words, while INEC must work hard to perfect its systems and processes for conducting elections, and take responsibility for any imperfections thereof, whatever the Commission does may not by itselfbe sufficient to guarantee the success of elections. There are a number of issues in the preparation and conduct of an election, the most critical of which is security, which is not under the control of INEC.


Current State of INEC’s Preparedness
On Thursday, February 5, 2015, I was invited to brief the National Council of State, which is the highest advisory to the President comprising past and present leaders in Nigeria, on the level of preparedness of INEC to conduct the 2015 general elections. I made a presentation to the Council titled ‘Preparations for the 2015 General Elections: Progress Report,’ in which I gave a detailed account of what the Commission has been doing in readiness for the national elections (National Assembly and Presidential) scheduled for February 14th, and the state elections (Governorship and State Assembly) scheduled for February 28th, 2015.

The summary of my presentation to the National Council of State meeting is that, for matters under its control,  INEC is substantially ready for the general elections as scheduled, despite discernible challenges being encountered with some of its processes like the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by registered members of the public.


In addition, INEC has been doing everything it can to facilitate the collection of the PVCs by registered members of the public.As at 5thFebruary 2015, the total number of PVCs collected was 45, 829, 808, representing 66.58% of the total number of registered voters.

In the delivery and deployment of electoral materials, INEC is also at a comfort level in its readiness for the general elections as scheduled (see the presentation to the Council of State). The Commission’s preparations are not yet perfect or fully accomplished. But our level of preparedness, despite a few challenges, is sufficient to conduct free, fair and credible elections as scheduled on February 14th and February 28th. Compared with 2011 when, within a short time, we conducted general elections that were universally adjudged free, fair and credible and the best in Nigeria’s recent electoral history, our processes are today better refined, more robust and therefore capable of delivering even better elections.


Other Variables
But as I mentioned earlier, there are some other variables equally crucial for successful conduct of the 2015 general elections that are outside the control of INEC. One important variable is security for the elections.

While the Commission has a very good working relationship with all security agencies, especially on the platform of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) since its inception in 2010, it has become pertinent for it to seriously consider the security advisory presented to it by the Security and Intelligence Services. I would like to reiterate here that INEC is an EMB and not a security agency. It relies on the security services to provide a safe environment for personnel, voters, election observers and election materials to conduct elections wherever it deploys. Where the security services strongly advise otherwise, it would be unconscionable of the Commission to deploy personnel and call voters out in such a situation.

Last Wednesday, which was a day before the Council of State meeting, the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) wrote a letter to the Commission, drawing attention to recent developments in four Northeast states of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe currently experiencing the challenge of insurgency. The letter stated that security could not be guaranteed during the proposed period in February for the general elections.

This advisory was reinforced at the Council of State meeting on Thursday where the NSA and all the Armed Services and Intelligence Chiefs unanimously reiterated that the safety and security of our operations cannot be guaranteed, and that the Security Services needed at least six weeks within which to conclude a major military operation against the insurgency in the Northeast; and that during this operation, the military will be concentrating its attention in the theatre of operations such that they may not be able to provide the traditional support they render to the Police and other agencies during elections.


INEC’s Decision
We have done wide ranging consultation to enable us have as much input as is necessary before taking an informed decision. In the series of consultations that we held with stakeholders, the questions consistently posed to them for consideration are:
(i)                In view of the latest development, should INEC proceed with the conduct of the general elections as scheduled in spite of this strong advice; and if so, what alternative security arrangements are available to be put in place?
(ii)             Or, should INEC take the advice and adjust the schedules of the general elections within the framework of Constitutional provisions?

The Commission held a meeting after the consultations, and decided to take the advice of the Security Chiefs and adjust the dates of the elections. We have done this relying on Section 26(1) of the Electoral 2010 (As Amended), which states thus: “Where a date has been appointed for the holding of an election, and there is reason to believe that a serious breach of the peace is likely to occur if the election is proceeded with on that date or it is impossible to conduct the elections as a result of natural disasters or other emergencies, the Commission may postpone the election and shall in respect of the area, or areas concerned, appoint another date for the holding of the postponed election, provided that such reason for the postponement is cogent and verifiable”.

INEC notbeing a security agency that could by itself guarantee protection for personnel and materials, as well as voters during elections, the Commission cannot lightly wave off the advice by the nation’s Security Chiefs. The Commission is specifically concerned about the security of our ad hoc staff who constitute at least 600,000 young men and women, together with our regular staff, voters, election observers as well as election materials painstakingly acquired over the last one and half years. This concern is limited not just to the areas in the North-eastern part of Nigeria experiencing insurgency; the risk of deploying young men and women and calling people to exercise their democratic rights in a situation where their security cannot be guaranteed is a most onerous responsibility. Under such circumstances, few EMBs across the world, if any, would contemplate proceeding with the elections as scheduled. No matter the extent of INEC’s preparedness, therefore, if the security of personnel, voters, election observers and election materials cannot be guaranteed, the life of innocent young men and women as well the prospects of free, fair, credible and peaceful elections would be greatly jeopardised.


Consequently, the Commission has decided to reschedule the 2015 general elections thus: the national elections (i.e. Presidential and National Assembly) are now to hold on March 28th, 2015; while the state elections (Governorship and State Assembly) are to hold on April 11th, 2015. It should be noted that this rescheduling falls within the constitutional framework for the conduct of the elections, notably, Sections 76(2), 116(2), 132(2) and 178(2). See also Section 25 of the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended).

For the avoidance of doubt, we will under no circumstancesapprove an arrangement that is not in line with the provisions of our laws. Our hope is that with this rescheduling, the security services will do their best to ensure that the security environment needed for safe and peaceful conduct of the 2015 elections is rapidly put in place.

We in INEC reassure all Nigerians and indeed the international community of our commitment to do everything within the law and to conduct free, fair, credible and peaceful elections. We call on the security agencies to honour their commitment to restore sufficient normalcy for elections to take place within the period of extension. We also call on Nigerians, political parties, candidates and all other stakeholders to accept this decision in good faith and ensure the maintenance of peace.

As for us in INEC we’ll endeavour to use the period of the extension to keep on perfecting our systems and processes for conducting the best elections in Nigeria’s history. In particular, we believe that we would resolve all outstanding issues related to non-collection of PVCs, which agitate the minds of many Nigerians.

Finally, we wish to call on all Nigerians to accept our decision, which is taken in good faith and the best interest of deepening democracy ion our country.

Thank you.

Professor Attahiru M. Jega, OFR
Chairman, INEC

73 comments:

Unknown said...

Abeg who go rid and summarise......

SANDRA said...

This is crazy, they re delaying everytin

AbokiDaWarriBoy said...

Whatever, we wil March Buhari in $ March goodluck out, come March.

Petite Diva said...

In other words, the military controlled by the presidency threatened them into postponing the elections. Which way Nigeria?
pre review of why men marry bitches

AbokiDaWarriBoy said...

Whatever, we wil March Buhari in $ March goodluck out, come March.

AbokiDaWarriBoy said...

Whatever, we wil March Buhari in $ March goodluck out, come March.

omo jasmine said...

Ok!

Unknown said...

Who is suppose to read all of this nonsense? They succeeded in postponing it already, so what's the point of John Kerry's visit the other day? #Jegaresign.

Anonymous said...

Bullshit! Inec had four whole years to prepare for these elections, other variables are nothing but excuses! If gej likes, he can go on dry fasting from now till March 28, his time is up!

Unknown said...

That's a very bad decision at dis point in time.. Total ridiculous

Unknown said...

Ok seen even u peeps can stop this change GMB 2015...

www.glowyshoe.com said...

Hmmmm

Visit my blog

www.glowyshoe.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

I'm happy about it,very infact,at least valentine gifts is sure,more PVC's will b collected, more fans will b won for buhari,and hopefully security is top notch!!

omobaba said...

Story for the gods! Let's see the outcome.

Unknown said...

Ok.
$.
$.
@Carlos via Nokia Lumia

Unknown said...

Accepted....


#GodblessNigeria

Bonita Bislam said...

INEC and the army just heaped a burning coal on their heads.They have no excuse whatsoever to fail.Change can only be delayed not denied

Unknown said...

INEC Chairman am suspecting conspiracy in all this.....


•••••••QUEENMAYA••••••••

Unknown said...

k we know..Gej won't win even if they push it to nxt yr..................................#KingOfKings #6God

Dave Mide said...

Like we dont know who control you all ??

Unknown said...

Bla-bla-bla...Jega is not clean o

Unknown said...

Finally!!! Wonder if we are a country or a state in Africa.

Unknown said...

INEC is clearly not to be blamed for d rescheduled timetable. JEGA had repeatedly maintained dt INEC was ready but alas our security operatives are not ready. So we need our entire army to fight insurgency in 4 states? D Security agencies are not being honest cos' drs more to this than meet d eye. It is obvious dt PDP is behind all this and this why we need a change at d federal level. I laugh when I hear peo call GMB a dictator, my God better a dictator than a weakling. GEJ has further proven dt he's not man enuf to give us d change dt we need. They are just trying to buy time but God pass them.

Unknown said...

They better not shift it again.#Rubbishhhhhh#

Unknown said...

They better not shift it again.#Rubbishhhhhh#

Anonymous said...

Actually! its a gud plan jus dat a lot of things and ppl are affected!! God Bless Nigeria

RICNINO

Unknown said...

Mschewwww

Unknown said...

Mschewwww

Unknown said...

No matter what happen
We gonna win, Change is needed





#Commenting thru Glo 4G LTE

Unknown said...

Terms and conditions and software licencse agreement

Unknown said...

Poor him!

Anonymous said...

from doyins brief 2 days ago i new the election would be postponed. it is well. anytime the election comes up I and my family, my friends and my staffs we would vote against jonathan. we r just tired we would vote buari

Anonymous said...

It is a shame,despite the billons spent on preparation for this election yet we have to move it to a later date.the issues on security is there for the past five years in the north so stop using security as an excuse to perfect plan to rig this election oh pdp!!!

Unknown said...

Bla bla bla, more spendings 4 d candidates

Anonymous said...

I wondered if GEJ is favoured by the odds to win ,could the election have been shifted? of course No. GEJ should not play God for his throne has been given to another. He should just allow the election to hold, loose and retire to enjoy all the money he has made. He should remember that he was nobody before and God who elevated him can equally bring him down if he remains Obstinate.
I don speak my own ooo.

Unknown said...

Their own drum of tea, shebi dem don postpone am, end of story. Linda take note!

Unknown said...

Their own drum of tea, shebi dem don postpone am, end of story. Linda take note!

Unknown said...

Their own drum of tea, shebi dem don postpone am, end of story. Linda take note!

Unknown said...

Their own drum of tea, shebi dem don postpone am, end of story. Linda take note!

Unknown said...

Rubbish

Unknown said...

a.k.a EDWIN CHINEDU AZUBUKO said...
.
Pls resign...
.
.
***CURRENTLY IN JUPITER***

Otunba Pumba1 said...

I don't see how election can go on in a state of insurgency so we need to appeal to d national security agency to improve drastically on d issue at hand so we don't get anoda postponement again...
GOD BLESS NIGERIA!!!

Unknown said...

Saw it coming...dz election should jez go n cum abeg..

Onyx's Girlfriend (he isn't gay pls) said...

Ok, we don hear. #happysunday

Blog It With Olivia said...

There's always an excuse for any mishap, they should have done this on 14th feb so we'd hear word.... Guess GEJ is scared of †Ñ’ξ inevitable...αи∂ now saying reason is cos of insecurity αи∂ for ppl to get their PVCs as if this country has ever been secured for a long time now...abeg they shouldn't trigger this BH ooo so they won't start misbehaving

Blog It With Olivia said...

There's always an excuse for any mishap, they should have done this on 14th feb so we'd hear word.... Guess GEJ is scared of †Ñ’ξ inevitable...αи∂ now saying reason is cos of insecurity αи∂ for ppl to get their PVCs as if this country has ever been secured for a long time now...abeg they shouldn't trigger this BH ooo so they won't start misbehaving

Unknown said...

Well said...I hope this time is enough for adequate preparations

Anonymous said...

well said.

PRETTY GIRL said...

I didn't bother reading this particular Epistle...And yes my support still goes out to GEJ but honestly am pretty much tired of all these pre-election statements*Sighs

Unknown said...

No problem we hear. Anytin for the peaceful conduct of the elections is welcomed.


@Sophia Stephen

Anonymous said...

No Î’̣̣̥ε̲̣̣̣̥ today we knw say GEJ G̶̲̥̅̊Æ ̴͡ postpone †Ñ’ξ election. Change. Can Î’̣̣̥ε̲̣̣̣̥ delay bt nt denied. March 4 buhari 2015

Anonymous said...

No Î’̣̣̥ε̲̣̣̣̥ today we knw say GEJ G̶̲̥̅̊Æ ̴͡ postpone †Ñ’ξ election. Change. Can Î’̣̣̥ε̲̣̣̣̥ delay bt nt denied. March 4 buhari 2015

Ike Ani said...

Their reasons are quite considerable n wise too even though Nigerians won't be hapi but wisdom is more profitable. www.ikeani.blogspot.com

Subomi said...

nonsense !!

Unknown said...

Too long!!!
Bottom line is elections have been postponed.

Anonymous said...

But what of those pastors that said they saw the winner of "February Election" ?....Some Men of God dey see vision..

Unknown said...

Na dem sabi

Unknown said...

Na dem sabi

Unknown said...

Na dem sabi

Anonymous said...

Jega is ready for the elections. GEJ is not. This same way, GEJ will postpone all his promises until 2019, including 3rd mainland bridge.

Unknown said...

Long story

GALORE said...

Sai @Buhari


Sad Buhari


Febuhari


Failbuhari



Make everybody go rest


INEC keep doing what you know how to do best.....


@Jega is still better than @Iwu.





@Galore

NMaa said...

Change is constant, so apc accept this change.

Anonymous said...

We pray the election will hold as scheduled this time. Security is going to improve.

Unknown said...

Ok oooooo, we don hear

Anonymous said...

Spoken well jega

Unknown said...

This is a very long akuko.

AbokiDaWarriBoy said...

Insha Allah,but Onyx wer is dat sister u promise to give Eva Alordiah brother?? Smh if boys caught u cus I see ur handwork for her instagram page..lol

ary said...

Alright.

Anonymous said...

All I see are comments from very very dumb people, even the so-called educated in Nigeria reason like illiterates, I'm so disappointed.. I want to be safe And safety comes first! I cannot die because these greedy men and their stupid elections

Anonymous said...

All these people clamoring for change.. U need to open ur eyes to see the kind of change ur clamoring for. From frying pan to fire... My GEJ all the way.. Nigerians are solidly behind you. God bless Nigeria...

Akachukwu cynthia said...

#GEJ4Naija.its a welcome development,it will give people time to collect their PVCs and exercise their rights by voting, also the security agencies will be ready to protect the citizens at concerned cities.

Anonymous said...

#smh. Why is the dollar around 200 naira mark? WE NEED A LEADER! We don't have one now.

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