CHAIRMAN of the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, yesterday, directed that some new ballot papers be printed locally between today and tomorrow to address the problem of missing party logos in some states.

PRESIDENTIAL candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, General Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, said that the postponement of the National Assembly election had exposed the rigging strategies of the ruling People’s Democratic Party PDP.

Army authorities yesterday reminded its personnel and officers that severe disciplinary measures will be taken against any of them who violate the code of conduct of their participation in provision of security for the general elections rescheduled to start on Saturday, April 9th.

COMMOTION broke out at the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, headquarters in Asaba, yesterday, when a group of vigilant youths almost lynched a female staff of the Commission for allegedly escaping with thumb-printed ballot papers. She was stripped in the process.

Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Alhaji Idi Farouk, has appealed to Nigerians not to feel discouraged over the postponement of April general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, even as the commission has assured the nation of its readiness to conduct credible elections in spite of balloting in some states before the postponement of the National Assembly election on April 2.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced moves to penalise vendors to the commission whose failure to supply electoral materials resulted in the postponement of last Saturday’s elections into the National Assembly.

The Commonwealth Observer Group has noted the decision to further postpone the elections “does not reflect positively on INEC’s state of preparedness”.

The Nigerian Peoples Congress, NPC, has called on the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Attahiru Jega, to resign over his inability to conduct last Saturday’s National Assembly elections.

SECURITY personnel yesterday at the Okirigwe Junction in Sapele, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State, allegedly shot dead one angry youth bemoaning the postponement of the National Assembly polls.

Following Saturday, postponement of elections into the National Assembly, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has urged Nigerians to remain patient and calm in spite of the huge disappointment caused by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

When the Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, shocked Nigerian politicians by re-deploying commissioners of police in all the states of the federation at the eve of National Assembly elections, many applauded his deft move and commended his foresight in nipping in the bud perceived unholy alliance between his helmsmen in the states, and politicians desperate to use them for their selfish purposes.

The enthusiasm of Nigerians to vote those who will represent them at the National Assembly as shown in their large turnout yesterday at the polling centres across the country was dampered by the postponement of the polls by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

FOR postponing the National Assembly elections to tomorrow, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, may incur an additional N4 billion to conduct the exercise and the political parties about N6.5bn.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Presidential candidate, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has decribed as an April Fool’s joke, the rumour making the rounds that he has stepped down for the presidential candidate of the Congress of Progressive Change (CPC), General Muhammadu Buhari, in what is termed a consensus arrangement.

Since this Commission started work in July 2010, I have repeatedly promised Nigerians that in carrying out our duties we shall always be sincere and truthful with Nigerians. I have always said that this INEC will be upfront with Nigerians, telling you exactly how things are – sharing both our successes and difficulties with you.