Delays in transporting electoral material, rather than external pressure was the reason Nigeria’s presidential and national elections were postponed, according to the chairman of the electoral commission.
Here's why Nigeria's election was postponed
“Our decision was entirely taken by the commission. It has nothing to do with security, nothing to do with political influence, nothing to do with availability of resources,” Yakubu, chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), told a gathering of foreign election observers and reporters.
Yakubu said some sensitive election material had been distributed but all had been returned to the central bank and an audit would now be conducted.
The commission also confirmed that campaigns would remain closed, for the presidential election.
INEC announced in the early hours of Saturday that the vote would now be held on Feb. 23.
Summary of Yakubu’s address to stakeholders
No election today because of delays in transporting electoral material
INEC is not under any external pressure
Distributed election material has been returned to central bank
Audit to be conducted
Campaigns remain closed
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