Abuja, Sep 19 (PTI) Nigeria''s electoral commission is seeking to delay the nation-wide January elections as the agency needs more time to credibly finalise the voters'' register.
The most populous African nation is due to hold presidential, parliamentary and state governorship elections in January, but the Independent National Electoral Commission has sought more time to amend a deeply flawed electoral roll, assuring that the extension would not affect the new government''s inauguration date -- May 29, 2011.

"The desire to seek extension of time is to ensure that we deliver a credible voters registration exercise and 2011 general election," INEC secretary Abdullahi Kaugama said.

The commission described its earlier timetable as "very tight" and seeks to consult all stakeholders before arriving at a "more appropriate" agenda.
INEC had slated National assembly elections for January 15, the presidential poll for January 22 and governorship ballots for January 29.
As per the timetable, party primaries are to be held between September 11 and October 30, while voters must be registered between November 1 and 14.
INEC is under pressure to deliver credible elections after a history of electoral rigging in the oil-rich nation.

The 2007 polls which brought former president Umaru Yar''Adua to power were judged by flawed by the international observers.
President Goodluck Jonathan, who succeeded Yar''Adua after his death in May, has announced that he will run in the election after months of suspense.
Other candidates, former military dictator General Ibrahim Babangida, former Vice President Abubakar Atiku and National Security Adviser Aliyu Gusau have also shown their interest for the top post.

The Peoples'' Democratic Party (PDP) is in power since the country with 150 million population returned to civilian rule in 1999 after years of military intervention.
Opposition parties have challenged the victories of PDP but had no success as the court cited lack of evidence in proving that the elections were rigged.

DENIED!!!

Even a Child could have easily concluded that the January dates were unrealistic if we wanted real change.

@Kobojunkie
Boy you are harsh . But it is better they ask for time now than continue on the same path till everything falls apart.

I hope the National Assembly can grant a temporary modification or actually change that part of the electoral law. This issue arose out of their attempt to give allow enough time for all litigations to be resolved between elections and swearing-in, but it seems that 21/2 months as obtains in the US should be enough.

Kobojunkie:

DENIED!!!
Even a Child could have easily concluded that the January dates were unrealistic if we wanted real change.

Na now dey know say they need extra time abi. No axtra time for them again. Na penalty straight!

koruji:

@Kobojunkie
Boy you are harsh . But it is better they ask for time now than continue on the same path till everything falls apart.

I hope the National Assembly can grant a temporary modification or actually change that part of the electoral law. This issue arose out of their attempt to give allow enough time for all litigations to be resolved between elections and swearing-in, but it seems that 21/2 months as obtains in the US should be enough.

If you look in the past you will note that this is how wahala starts . . rather than sticking to schedules, we start moving dates and giving the crooks time to do their work. The man knew what he was getting into from the get go and was not forced to release his January dates for the election. I say we stick to it . . . yes, tight but he should stick to whatever plans he had in place in teh first place so we can get this done with already.

Correct. It seems that they are having difficulties with getting everything ready for the voter's register, without which we cannot have these elections.

Kobojunkie:

If you look in the past you will note that this is how wahala starts . . rather than sticking to schedules, we start moving dates and giving the crooks time to do their work. The man knew what he was getting into from the get go and was not forced to release his January dates for the election. I say we stick to it . . . yes, tight but he should stick to whatever plans he had in place in teh first place so we can get this done with already.

How come the almyghty JEGA got even his timetable wrong?

First he did not know how much he wanted, as we heard all sorts of figures.

Now they misjudged how much time they needed.

Hope we will not finally confuse who actually won the election?

So much for the new and credible INEC. No be Nigerians dey for the current INEC? make we hear word abegi!!!!!!!!

Double talk is a disease - the same people who previously have said the time is too short - now singing another tune.

mikeansy:

How come the almyghty JEGA got even his timetable wrong?

First he did not know how much he wanted, as we heard all sorts of figures.

Now they misjudged how much time they needed.

Hope we will not finally confuse who actually won the election?

So much for the new and credible INEC. No be Nigerians dey for the current INEC? make we hear word abegi!!!!!!!!

The national assembly set the timetable as recommended by the Uwais report. Leave Jega out of it.

2010 Election: INEC to request for more time

Huhuonline.com can disclose the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), has said that the time line it was given to conduct the 2010 election was short, and has requested for more time to enable it conduct a credible elections. In a communiqué issued at the
end of a two day retreat in Calabar, INEC secretary Abdulaihi Kaugaima, said

“Having examined the Commission’s detailed Action Plan for the voter registration and elections, the Retreat noted that the timeline for the implementation of this Plan is very tight. Consequently, the Commission shall endeavour to engage all the relevant stakeholders with a view to exploring all legal avenues for extension of time to enable the Commission to deliver on the aspirations of Nigerians for a credible voters’ register and free, fair and credible elections. Should this happen, May 29 2011 inauguration date must remain sacrosanct”.


Full Text of his statement read:


FULL TEXT OF COMMUNIQUE OF THE TWO DAY RETREAT OF THE INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION (INEC) WITH RESIDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSIONERS HELD IN AMBER HOTEL, TINAPA, CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATEPREAMBLE

In furtherance of its objective of ensuring free, fair and credible elections, recognising the need to subject its internal structures, processes and plans to close scrutiny; desirous of carrying along all its personnel in the discharge of the onerous responsibility and conscious of its responsibilities and obligations as an election management body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with the support of International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) organised a two (2) day retreat for National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) at the Amber Hotel, Tinapa, Calabar between 16th and 19th of September 2010.

Having extensively and critically deliberated on the internal processes and external dimensions affecting the whole electoral process; and in particular the upcoming Voter Registration exercise and the General Elections in 2011, the Commission observes as follows:

1. That the task of conducting free, fair and credible elections in 2011 is a collective task for all Nigerians and not the Commission alone. Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to free and fair conduct of elections and calls on all Stakeholders to join in the task of achieving this objective.

2. That there is the need to severely punish electoral offenders to serve as deterrent to others. Therefore, INEC calls on the National Assembly to enact a law for the establishment of an Electoral Offences Tribunal.

3. Having examined the Commission’s detailed Action Plan for the voter registration and elections, the Retreat noted that the timeline for the implementation of this Plan is very tight. Consequently, the Commission shall endeavour to engage all the relevant stakeholders with a view to exploring all legal avenues for extension of time to enable the Commission to deliver on the aspirations of Nigerians for a credible voters’ register and free, fair and credible elections. Should this happen, May 29 2011 inauguration date must remain sacrosanct.

4. Political Parties should strictly adhere to provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 and their Constitutions in the conduct of their congresses, conventions and primaries. The Commission shall ensure strict compliance to such provisions.

5. The Commission has developed an in-house software which will be rigorously field-tested before the commencement of the registration exercise.

6. The Commission calls upon all Stakeholders to ensure that incidences of underaged registration and other abnormalities are detected and prevented during the registration and display of Voters’ Register.

7. The Commission expresses its profound appreciation to all Nigerians for their expressions of goodwill, support and cooperation, which has inspired it to continue to give its best to the success of the upcoming Voters’ Registration and Elections.

http://huhuonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2037:2010-election-inec-requests-for-more-time&catid=103:more-news

Should this happen, May 29 2011 inauguration date must remain sacrosanct.  ---

What has changed?

The article did say INEC would keep to the swearing-in date. With an extra 21/2 months there will still be 21/2 months for litigations - our judiciary needs to learn to buckle up since it is the same law books they have being studying for years.

But INEC needs to continue as if the current time-table is what would be followed untill they get the needed extra-time.

Kobojunkie:

Should this happen, May 29 2011 inauguration date must remain sacrosanct.  ---

What has changed?

koruji:

The article did say INEC would keep to the swearing-in date. With an extra 21/2 months there will still be 21/2 months for litigations - our judiciary needs to learn to buckle up since it is the same law books they have being studying for years.

But INEC needs to continue as if the current time-table is what would be followed untill they get the needed extra-time.

The swearing in date has not changed. INEC  could have easily suggested March or April dates from the beginning, still maintaining the swearing in date. Again, what changed? Why does it NOW need extra time? What was it that INEC did not consider in it's initial declaration that it is now considering? I would like to know.

they have started the government magic.