Nigeria’s Anticipated Election – Postponed

West Africa  |  04.04.11   By PoliticsAfrica Staff

Confusion, Anger, Disgust are just a few of the words used to describe the reaction of Nigerians to the announcement that national elections would be postponed because ballot papers and result sheets had not been delivered to polling stations.  This announcement was made on the day of elections as the general public lined up in anticipation of casting their votes.

The frustration was compounded by the fact that the highly respected head of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), Attahiru Jega, had assured the country through numerous statements, that his agency was ready.  “For INEC, I can say categorically and convincingly that we are ready for the election, the question should be, are the lawyers and politicians ready,” was among several assuring statements by Jega that everything was in place and ready to go.

Following a marred election in 2007, which European Union observers deemed “not credible” – citing numerous reports of ballot box-stuffing, poor organization, and election-day violence, there was a lot of hope that this year would be a very different election and a possible turning point in Africa’s most populous country’s history of questionable elections.

 ”It is tragic that by sheer incompetence, (the election commission) has turned a moment of celebration to a flash of queasy foreboding for an enthusiastic nation,” a front-page editorial by The Punch newspaper read Sunday.  It added: “Nigeria may be flying blind into an uncertain future.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has rescheduled the voting dates for the 2011 general elections.  Professor Jega made the announcement Sunday at the INEC headquarters after a meeting with all the political parties.

The three elections were earlier scheduled to hold as follows: National Assembly Elections, Saturday, April 2; Presidential Elections, Saturday, April 9; and House of Assembly/Governorship Elections, Saturday, April 16.

Speaking to reporters following the meeting with the chair people of 63 political parties, Jega said:

“Yesterday, the Independent National Electoral Commission announced the rescheduling of the 2011 National Assembly, Senate and the House of Representatives elections from April 2, to April 4, 2011, due to late arrival of sensitive election materials.

“Since that announcement, several representations have been made to the Commission, urging it to consult more widely and to ensure that the two-day postponement is enough to address all the logistical issues that will militate against a successful conduct of the rescheduled election.

“We have just finished a meeting with the Chairmen of all the political parties in the country which is part of this wide consultations and representations which we have received.

“Following these representations and the subsequent consultations we had with stake holders, the Commission has found that the overwhelming sentiment is to further reschedule the rescheduled elections.

Nigeria’s elections are being carefully watched around the world, and could have implications beyond Nigeria, given it is one of Africa’s largest oil producers and is widely considered an economic powerhouse on the Continent of Africa.

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