Adefuye, who was responding to requests and clarifications inundating the Nigerian Embassy in the United States over the postponement of the general elections, said, the decision to postpone the election was based on the need to get logistics right, allow all qualified Nigerians to exercise their franchise and ensure adequate security during the conduct of the polls.
According to him, Nigeria is committed to conducting a free, credible and peaceful election, “not only because of its importance to the future of democracy in Africa, but also because of our belief in the principle of democracy and the intricate connection between democracy and development.”
He said: “Since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the re-scheduling of the general elections in Nigeria that were to begin on 14th February, 2015, the Embassy of Nigeria has been inundated with telephone calls and mails from individuals and organizations across the United States seeking information or clarifications on the status of these elections. The Embassy is pleased with the widespread interest in these elections, and wishes to assure all that the elections, now re-scheduled to begin on 28th March, 2015, will proceed as planned.
“We have a National Electoral Commission (INEC) that is independent in all its ramifications. It is the body that decides the dates of the elections based on its belief that the logistics and security necessary to ensure the conduct of a credible election are in place. As it has been admitted by INEC itself, the election management body was facing some challenges in meeting the target date of 14th February for the elections. With a week to the elections, only about 45,829,808 Personal Voters Cards (PVCs), representing about 60% of the total number of registered voters has been distributed. INEC also had issues with getting over 600,000 ad hoc polling staff ready for the elections. The decision by INEC to move the election forward will therefore allow it to perfect its systems, including the distribution of over 26 million PVCs to voters.
