AFP - The elections, presidential and local governments in Nigeria, most populous country in Africa, have been reported respectively to 9, 16 and 26 April, said Sunday the head of the electoral commission.
"The commission has weighed all options, taking into account the general opinion of Nigerians, and decided to postpone all elections as follows: Saturday, April 9 (for elections) Senate and House of Representatives, Saturday, April 16, presidential election Tuesday, April 26 (elections in) governorates and regional assemblies, "said Attahiru Jega told reporters.
The elections initially scheduled April 2 had already been postponed due to organizational difficulties to 4 April while the presidential poll was originally scheduled for April 9 and April 16 locales.
Many organizational problems
Motions to postpone these elections had been filed by particular political parties and civil society organizations, and the postponement of legislative elections has had an impact on the conduct of other elections.
The Nigerians had placed much hope in the appointment of a respected academic, Attahiru Jega, head of the electoral commission and the President Goodluck Jonathan had promised free and fair elections.
After the discovery Saturday - the day had to hold legislative elections - many organizational problems, with a lack of staff and election materials in many polling stations, the chairman of the electoral commission has determined, in environment of the day to announce a postponement of the poll.
Several human rights and politicians there had been a "national disgrace" but other officials have said a Nigerian was preferable to delay a vote that could be considered "credible".
Following the announcement of the first reactions of the two main political parties were positive, their spokesmen saying that they can better prepare.
"We'll be in a position to get what we need," said Yinka Odumakin, spokesman for the Congress for Democratic Change (CPC), the party of Muhammadu Buhari, the main rival to incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan."We can only hope that the election commission to overcome its problems and prevent all acts of sabotage," he added.
A spokesman for the Action Congress Nigeria, it is a "welcome development". "This shows that the Electoral Commission is sensitive and listens to the people is a Democrat," said Ibrahim Modibbo.
