There will be no elections in 15 of the 109 senatorial districts and 48 of the 360 federal constituencies, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Attahiru Jega said yesterday.
At a press conference in Abuja, Jega said the need to reprint ballot papers and include the missing logos of some political parties accounted for the unavoidable postponements in 15 senatorial districts spread across 10 states and 48 federal constituencies in 21 states.
Jega said INEC’s tireless efforts and dispassionate review of the glitches that bedevilled previous arrangements had ensured a firm plan for logistic, transportation and other challenges. He said INEC made additional arrangements for security agencies to enforce strict restrictions on governors who decide to move about with security orderlies on Election Day.
His words: "We also noticed last Saturday that some governors did not comply with the appeal to them not to move around with their security orderlies during the elections. Although we recognise that governors are chief executives of their states, I, once more, appeal to them to vote and return home in order to reduce political tensions during the elections.
"Security agencies will strictly enforce compliance with this directive."
Jega waved off speculations about pressure from the government and his purported threat to resign as mere imaginary concoctions, stressing that it has become apparent that some persons have deliberately become sources for disseminating anything that can "help them throw spanner in the works" at INEC.
Jega, with whom were other National Commissioners, strssed that community and religious leaders have a role to play in the general elections, adding that voters must not give room for any expression of voter apathy.
"When the Commission last Saturday, April 2nd, 2011, rescheduled the National Assembly elections, it stated very clearly that the elections will hold this Saturday, April 9th, 2011; we are happy to say that the elections will go ahead this weekend as planned. We, as a Commission, fully appreciate the enormous sacrifices made by millions of Nigerian voters who turned out for the exercise on April 2. I urge you to also do the same this weekend.
"Since the postponement, the Commission has worked tirelessly to address the challenges observed in the conduct of the rescheduled elections. Thus, result sheets have not only been delivered to the country, but have been received by states and local government areas nationwide.
" Similarly, other election materials needed at the state and local governments have been supplied. Logistic challenges have been addressed and we have had further consultations with political parties, security services and other stakeholders to address other challenges that emerged last Saturday. Consequently, all is now set for the National Assembly elections to hold across the country on Saturday.
"However, some challenges emerging from the fact that voting took place in some areas, in spite of the postponement, require more time than we have had since last Saturday. For example, in some areas, a good quantity of ballot papers had been used and it is not possible to reprint enough replacement ballot papers before the elections.
"Also, in a few constituencies, party names and logos were missing on ballot papers. While some of these resulted from human errors in compiling the names of qualified candidates and parties for the elections, others are related to sudden changes emanating from several judicial pronouncements on party nominations. These challenges dictate that fresh ballot papers be printed prior to conducting the elections.
"The Commission has made strenuous efforts to get these ballot papers printed within the available time, but given the security requirements of the printing of ballot papers and the inability of domestic and international companies to deliver on time, it has become imperative that sufficient time be given for the printing of these ballot papers.
"Consequently, while elections will in general take place next Saturday, it has become inevitable to postpone elections in a few affected constituencies, that is 15 Senatorial Districts and 48 Federal Constituencies. I should say that the postponed elections affect only about 14% of all Senatorial Districts and 13% of Federal Constituencies; this means that elections will take place this Saturday in 86% and 87% of Senatorial Districts and Federal Constituencies respectively.
"Elections in these affected constituencies will now hold on Tuesday April 26 together with the Governorship and State Assembly elections.
"For purposes of clarity, it is not everywhere that voting took place last week that is affected by this rescheduling. In some areas, only very few ballots were used, which means that elections can go on unhindered in those places this Saturday," he said.
According to the INEC chairman, voters need to ensure peace and respect for the law as further arrangements have been made with security agencies to deal with those who seek to violate the law.
"I want to seize this opportunity to advise all voters to be orderly and peaceful during the elections. Those who choose to stay behind after voting must be orderly and non-violent.
"I appeal to political parties to implore their supporters to eschew violence. We are working closely with the security agencies to arrest political thugs and vigilance group.
"Also, underage voters will be arrested. I appeal to parents and community leaders not to allow their children to indulge in this illegal act.
Let me once again thank Nigerians for their understanding and support for the Commission in its efforts to deliver free, fair and credible elections. I urge you all to come out on Saturday, to exercise your right to vote," Jega said.
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