Nigerias valgkommission har udsat både præsident- og parlamentvalgene fra 14. februar til 28. marts på grund af manglende sikkerhed i det kæmpemæssige land, der plages af terror fra den islamistiske Boko Haram-bevægelse.
Electoral Commission chief Attahiru Jega had been told that troops would not be available to help patrol the ballot because they would be fighting Boko Haram militants in the north-east, reports BBC online Saturday.
“The risk of deploying young men and women and calling people to exercise their democratic rights in a situation where their security cannot be guaranteed is a most onerous (byrdefuldt) responsibility”, said Mr Jega.
Officials from the main opposition party immediately accused the military of forcing the electoral commission into the delay to help the sitting president’s campaign.
The race is expected to be a tight one between President Goodluck Jonathan and the former military ruler, Muhammadu Buhari.
Boko Haram has intensified its attacks. On 25 January militants attacked strategically important north-eastern city of Maiduguri, with dozens reported killed
Elections for state governors and assemblies slated for 28 February have been moved to 11 April.
