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Nigeria Vows Delayed Poll Will be Held Monday

   VOA News  April 03, 2011
   An election officer in Nigeria's commercial capital, Lagos, makes a
   phone call after the postponement of parliamentary elections, April 2,
   2011

Photo: Reuters

   An election officer in Nigeria's commercial capital, Lagos, makes a
   phone call after the postponement of parliamentary elections, April 2,
   2011

   Nigerian election officials have vowed to hold parliamentary elections
   on Monday, after the vote, set for Saturday, was abruptly postponed as
   voters stood in line.
   Nigerian officials blamed the delay on supply companies who they said
   failed to get ballots and tally sheets to polling stations on time.
   Members of the Independent National Electoral Commission said Sunday
   that all needed materials had arrived at polling stations.
   Election officials were set to meet with party officials and candidates
   on Sunday to discuss the situation.
   The postponement sparked anger and disappointment across Africa's most
   populous nation. This month's elections are widely seen as a test of
   Nigeria's ability to hold free, fair and credible elections. The last
   polls in 2007 were badly marred by violence, fraud and disorganization.
   Nigerians are set to vote in three separate polls this month to elect a
   new parliament, president, and 36 state governors.
   The parliamentary election will be followed by a presidential vote on
   April 9 and state polls on April 16.
   Nigeria's ruling People's Democratic Party is hoping to retain control
   of the presidency and parliament.
   President Goodluck Jonathan is facing a field of challengers led by
   former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari.
   Jonathan is seeking his first full term after rising to power last year
   following the death of predecessor Umaru Yar'Adua. His run was opposed
   by some PDP members who accuse him of breaking an informal rule to
   rotate the presidential nomination between Muslims from the north and
   Christians from the south.
   Jonathan is a Christian, while Yar'Adua was a Muslim. President
   Yar'Adua died just three years into what was expected to be a two-term,
   eight-year presidency.
   Nigeria's population of 140 million - the largest in Africa - is split
   roughly evenly between Muslims and Christians.

   Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.

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