"Elections Impossible To Hold In Nigeria's North East" — Jega

Speaking at an event held by the African Policy Research Institute on Monday in Abuja, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, said that some areas in Nigeria's battered north east may not be able to participate in the coming 2015 general election on Feb. 14, 2015. Acknowledging difficulties in access and the worsening security situation, Prof. Jega did however state that the Commission was working to ensure as many people were able to vote as possible.

“First and foremost, we know that there are many internally displaced persons in Nigeria but our focus is going to be on the north east zone and it will only be for internally displaced persons that are in the states. To be realistic, we must say that it may be impossible to do elections everywhere, in every local government, in every constituency in those three states.” 

Prof. Jega also alluded to the possibility that the governorship elections, occurring just after the presidential contest in February might not be possible either in the three north-eastern states, Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa, under emergency rule.

“A place like Borno State, unless something is done about those that have been displaced, even return for the governorship might be difficult, if not impossible under the circumstances.

Source: SaharaReporters