Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Nigerian Electoral Commission May Change Election Timetable

   Chinedu Offor | Washington DC  March 10, 2011

   Nigeriaâs   Independent   National   Electoral  Commission  (INEC)  is
   grappling  with how to implement a court decision reversing the order
   of    elections.     Earlier    the    commission   had   listed the
   presidential and parliamentary election as coming first,  with stste
   and  local elections following.  But the opposition Labor Party won
   a  court  order  saying if the presidential election is held first, it
   will unfairly  benefit  the  ruling  PDP if its candidate, President
   Goodluck Jonathan, wins.

   The judiciary has a role in ensuring that elections are held according
   to the law, says Godwin Onu, professor of political science and rector
   of Federal Polytechnic Oko in the southeastern state of Anambra.

   But  he says while the courts must help provide a level playing field,
   this decision could force INEC to postpone the elections.

   âIn  this particular circumstance,â he says, âthe issue we have is not
   really  which  election  comes  first,  but  ensuring  that every vote
   [counts].â

   He says the Labor Party, which brought the case before the courts, had
   a right to challenge the timetable if it believed the ruling PDP would
   have an advantage.

   âNigeria  has never had a history of credible elections before and the
   tradition  is not there.  As far as the Labor Party is concerned, the
   fear is real andâ¦could be shared by other Nigerians,â he says.

   Onu  expresses  concern  that judicial rulings may force INEC to delay
   the polls if itâs unable to comply [on time].

   âThat  is a major implication because the role of the judiciary in the
   whole  affair  is  becoming increasingly disturbing.  There are court
   orders  all over the place and counter court orders and itâs beginning
   to disturb Nigerians.â

.