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Nigerian Electoral Commission Welcomes Presidentâs Request for Election
Delay

   Peter Clottey 28 September 2010
   Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan (C) leaves a rally with his wife
   Patience  after  declaring  his  bid for the 2011 presidential poll in
   Abuja, 18 Sep 2010

Photo: AFP

   Nigeriaâs President Goodluck Jonathan (C) leaves a rally with his wife
   Patience  and  Vice President Namadi Sambo (L) after declaring his bid
   for the 2011 presidential poll in Abuja, 18 Sep 2010

   An  official  with Nigeriaâs Independent National Electoral Commission
   (INEC)  has welcomed President Goodluck Jonathanâs letter to lawmakers
   asking for a delay in scheduled January elections.

   Nick  Dazan, INECâs assistant director of public affairs, told VOA the
   election  postponement  will  enable the electoral body to organize an
   âexcellentâ election.

   âItâs  a  welcome  development.  On  our part, we are delighted by the
   support  the president has given to the commissionâs request to extend
   the  time  table. That will give us ample time to do an excellent job.
   The commission has always said that the previous amendment made things
   very tight for it.â

   Dazan  also said, âOnce the extension is given, the commission will be
   able  to  do  a  satisfactory  job  and  deliver  elections  that  are
   credible.â

   President  Jonathan wrote a letter asking the legislature to amend the
   constitution  to  delay the January elections. The delay, Mr. Jonathan
   said, will allow the electoral commission time to register voters.

   In  the  letter,  President  Jonathan  is  quoted  as saying, âI shall
   propose  an  amendment  of  the  relevant  laws ... which would enable
   (INEC)  to  conduct general elections between now and the end of April
   2011.  It  is  my  hope that the distinguished Senators of the Federal
   Republic of Nigeria will consider and pass the amendment in your usual
   expeditious manner.â

   The  electoral  commission  has  said it needs more time to adequately
   prepare  for legislative, presidential and gubernatorial elections all
   scheduled in January.
   Dazan  said  President  Jonathanâs  backing is a welcoming development
   which will serve as a significant boost to the electoral bodyâs effort
   to organize a credible vote next year.

   âWe  are  confident  because  the  commission  has  a mission with the
   National Assembly and they expressed their commitment and appreciation
   of  the  time  that  the commission needed to do a good job. Even this
   (Tuesday)  afternoon,  the  speaker  of  the  House of Representatives
   assured  the  chairman  of the commission at a workshop in Kaduna that
   the  National  Assembly  was going to do everything possible to extend
   the time.â

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