Official: Nigeria postponing Feb. 14 elections so multinational force secures Boko Haram areas
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A Nigerian official says the electoral commission is postponing Feb. 14 elections for six weeks to give a new multinational force time to secure northeastern areas under the sway of Boko Haram.
Millions could be disenfranchised if the voting went ahead while the Islamic extremists hold a large swath of the northeast and commit mayhem that has driven 1.5 million people from their homes.
A major offensive with warplanes and ground troops from Chad and Nigeria already has forced the insurgents from a dozen towns and cities in the past 10 days. Even greater military strikes by more countries are planned.
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The official knowledgeable about discussions by the Independent National Electoral Commission says the commission will announce the postponement later Saturday.