FEARING that the security situation in some parts of the country might not have been ripe for the forthcoming governorship/ state assemblies elections in the country, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday announced a further shift of the polls in two states. The two states are Kaduna and Bauchi states.
The Chairman of the commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega who made the declaration while addressing newsmen last night, however, fixed the date for the elections in the two states for April 28. He said the decision to pick April 28 was in anticipation that the security situation in those states might have tremendously improved. He also justified the date, which would come just a day before the constitutionally allowed period for the holding of election - 30 days before the hand over date.
Jega, who had held more five hours meeting with the leadership of the registered political parties in his office, condemned the senseless killings and attacks on ad-hoc staff of the commission, most of whom were members of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC).
He also described the senatorial election in Anambra Central Senatorial District inconclusive because the investigation by the commission had showed that there were inconclusive process in about three polling units in some local councils in the state that could affected the two candidates.
He said the Returning Officer, who disappeared and re-appeared to declare the Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) as the winner was done illegally and declared that the officer would be handed over to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Similarly, Jega said the Senatorial elections in Delta North and Bayelsa Central would also have to be re-run. As for Bayelsa Central where a serving Senator was caught allegedly diverting voting materials would be investigated while the Delta North would be re-run, especially in Ika North-East and South.
In his words: "In the past few days, the commission in conjunction with security agencies, NYSC and political parties has carefully been assessing the feasibility of holding the upcoming April 26 in the states mostly affected by the post-election violence. The assessment shows that there is a marked improvement in security in some states for the elections to hold. However, in others, specifically Kaduna and Bauchi states, the security situation still remains a source of concern.
"Consequently, the commission is constrained to postpone the April 26 elections in the two states in accordance with Section 26 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) from 26 to April 28, 2011. This is to allow for further cooling of temper and for the security situation in those states to improve."
Jega defended various allegations raised by the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) of the use of separate Excel allegedly designed by the commission to collate results in some states, notably Kano and Katsina, describing the allegation as false and totally unfounded.
The INEC boss also confirmed that elections would not hold in five states of Adamawa, Bayelsa, Kogi, Cross River and Sokoto on April 26 in line with the recent Appeal Court ruling. Also, he confirmed that the commission would obey the Tuesday's Appeal Court order in respect of the CPC governorship candidates in Katsina and Kano states.
Meanwhile, Movement will be restricted during the governorship election into the state Houses of Assembly as well as the remainder of the federal legislative elections, which will hold on Tuesday, next week, the Police announced yesterday.
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Olusola Amore (Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in Abuja, said there would be restriction of movement from 10.00 p.m. on Monday, April 25 and 6.00 a.m. on Tuesday. There will also be restriction of movement from 8.00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 26, till 6.00 p.m.
The statement entitled: Order on restriction of movement on election day still in force," said: "The Nigeria Police wish to inform the general public that the order on restriction of movement of persons during the 2011 April general elections will effectively remain in force for the governorship/state Houses of Assembly election.
"This order is to enable all law enforcement agents monitor the activities of miscreants, thugs and other criminal elements who may plan to use the eve of the election day to perpetrate their evil acts as to disrupt the smooth conduct of the elections.
"Persons on essential duties and INEC officials are exempted from this restriction order as they will be properly identified with their service identity cards.
"Nigerians are also enjoined to be vigilant at all times particularly at voting arenas where objects such as Improvise Explosive Devices (IED) can be kept by criminal elements just to destabilize the smooth conduct of the election.
"All eligible voters are advised to go out and cast their votes without fear of intimidating and molestation. They are also enjoined to leave the immediate voting vicinity and allow their various party agents to take the responsibility of protecting and watching all votes cast until they are duly counted and recorded by the INEC officials."
However, officials of the Independent Election Monitoring Group (IEMG), yesterday appealed to the INEC to consider postponing the conduct of the gubernatorial and state Houses of Assembly elections in states that were rocked by violence to avoid further bloodshed. The group, while noting the post-election violence that erupted in Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, Niger, Katsina, Maiduguri city, Sokoto, Bauchi, Taraba and Nasarawa states, which led to loss of lives and destruction of property, called on INEC and the top hierarchy of the security forces to reassess the conduct of the remaining elections in the affected states on a case by case basis and where necessary, consider postponing the conduct of the elections there to avoid further breakdown of law and order.
The IEMG in a statement by its National Co-ordinator, Festus Okoye, said the current situation of things on the ground in those states was not conducive for the conduct of the remaining elections.
Meanwhile, preparations by parties and politicians for the election in various states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) continued yesterday.
Source: INEC shifts gov, legislative polls in Kaduna, Bauchi (http://ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=45625:inec-shifts-gov-legislative-polls-in-kaduna-bauchi&catid=1:national&Itemid=559)