INEC: to transform voting points to total full fledge polling units~details below
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued out plans to covert voting points to a total full fledge voting units in Nigeria.
National commissioner, Barr. Festus Okoye, during a stakeholders meeting for the extension of voter accessibility polling units in kano on Saturday
There were 119,973 polling unit when there was 50million registered voters across Nigeria in 1996.
Now that there are 87million registered voters in the country there is need to expand and establish new polling units across the country.
“the commission has in the last three Electoral cycles made use of voting point and voting point settlement as an interim solution for declaring voters access to polling units.
These are well known by the stakeholders and accepted by voters, vividly transforming them to a full fledged polling units is a cost effective and timely way of curbing the problems.
“we are going to convert the voting points into the polling units in order not to disenfranchised eligible voters across the country.
“it therefore developed guidelines for the exercise with a threshold of (750) voters as maximum and (500) voters as minimum in a polling units.
“there is going to be a registration exercise that would commence soon which I call on those who are due for the exercise to ensure that they register”. Barr. Festus Okoye said.
Apparently, the Residents Electoral Commissioner Kano State, professor Riskuwa Shehu had reminded politicians that campaigning for political offices is still under ban and warned that violation of the ban can attract legal actions.
“Ban on political campaigns is still on, caution your supporters because there is legal provisions for violating the law.
We appeal to you and the media to understand the legal framework to find a way of curtailing it. Rikuwa said.
Riskuwa further explained that the location of polling units should be in accordance with the considerations that include among others.
Public places preferably centrally located and accessible, none sectarian locations such as town and community halls, health centers Court premises, public recreational centers and spacious facilities to adequately sit elections officials
Political party agents, elections observers and voters, if necessary.