INEC sets 2020 date for creation of more polling units in Nigeria

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed that it is set to create additional polling units across Nigeria.

The electoral body revealed on Thursday that it would take the courageous decision on the creation of additional polling units by the first quarter of 2020.

This information was revealed by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye, at a dialogue session organised by the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (Situation Room), in Abuja, ahead of the Kogi and Bayelsa states governorship elections.

According to Okoye, INEC would consult critical stakeholders and take bold steps and decisions on ”the creation of additional polling units and alterations and or adjustment of constituencies.

“The commission can no longer continue with the ad hoc procedure of creating Voting Points and Voting Point Settlements.

“The current arrangements of voting points is stop-gap measures to ease the voting process and create opportunities for people in new settlements not covered by previous polling units.

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“INEC will also work in collaboration with the National Assembly and the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation in effecting reforms to the electoral legal framework,” he added.

Okoye also noted that at the conclusion of the 2019 general elections, aggrieved parties and candidates filed and served the commission with 807 petitions.

He said that the number was, however, regarded by some people as huge and a sign of regression in the electoral process.

“However, as at the Oct. 25, the petitioners withdrew 190 petitions while 570 were dismissed, four are still pending while 42 of the petitions were determined in favour of the petitioners,” he said.

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