Nigeria's electoral commission will postpone Feb. 14 presidential and legislative elections for six weeks to give a new multinational force time to secure northeastern areas under the sway of Boko Haram, Associated Press has tweeted.
Millions could be disenfranchised if the voting went ahead while the Islamic extremists hold a large swath of the northeast and commit mayhem that has driven 1.5 million people from their homes.
An official, as gathered, who is knowledgeable about the discussions said the Independent National Electoral Commission
will announce the postponement at a news conference later Saturday. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.
will announce the postponement at a news conference later Saturday. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.
Officials in President Goodluck Jonathan's administration had called for a postponement, which was opposed by an opposition coalition fielding his chief rival, former military dictator Muhammadu Buhari.
Supporters of both sides are threatening violence if their candidate does not win. Some 800 people were killed in riots in the mainly Muslim north after Buhari, a Muslim, lost 2011 elections to Jonathan, a Christian from the south.
A postponement also will give electoral officials more time to deliver some 30 million voter cards. The commission had said the non-delivery of cards to nearly one-third of the 68.8 million registered voters was not a good reason to delay the vote.
It will be recalled that the US secretary of State, John Kerry during a visit to Nigeria last month had warned Nigeria against any plans to postpone the February elections saying "it is imperative that Nigeria holds its elections on time"
Nigerians however await official announcement from INEC later in the day.
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