ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) – Nigeria’s electoral commission says it is postponing presidential and legislative elections until March 28 because security forces fighting an Islamic uprising cannot voters’ safety around the country.
Millions could be disenfranchised if next week’s voting went ahead while Boko Haram extremists hold a large swath of the northeast and commit mayhem that has made 1.5 million people homeless.
Commission chairman Attahiru Jega told a news conference Saturday night that national security advisers and intelligence officers have said security forces need six weeks to conduct “a major operation” against Boko Haram and cannot also provide security for the elections.
In the past ten days an offensive from Chad and Nigeria has forced the insurgents from a dozen towns and villages. Even greater military strikes involving more neighbouring countries are planned.
