UPDATE 3-Nigeria pushes back polls after logistics chaos

Reuters

3 April 2011

UPDATE 3-Nigeria pushes back polls after logistics chaos
Sun Apr 3, 2011 6:37pm GMT

* Parliamentary, presidential, state polls pushed back

* Political parties said to support postponement

* Huge setback for faith in electoral process

(Adds Commonwealth comment)

By Camillus Eboh

ABUJA, April 3 (Reuters) - Nigeria postponed parliamentary and presidential elections by one week on Sunday after failing to get logistics prepared in time, a major embarrassment for a nation hoping to break with a history of chaotic polls.

Africa's most populous country will now hold parliamentary elections on April 9, presidential elections on April 16 and governorship elections in its 36 states on April 26, electoral commission head Attahiru Jega said.

Nigeria was forced to abort parliamentary elections on Saturday after voting materials failed to arrive on time in large parts of the country.

It had planned to try again on Monday, but political parties complained the timeframe was too tight.