INEC suspends creation of additional polling units

  Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Tuesday said it has resolved to put on hold the proposed creation of additional 30,000 polling units across the country until after the 2015 general election. The commission took the decision at a meeting after reviewing reports from its Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) over the reconfiguration of polling units […]

 

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Tuesday said it has resolved to put on hold the proposed creation of additional 30,000 polling units across the country until after the 2015 general election.

The commission took the decision at a meeting after reviewing reports from its Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) over the reconfiguration of polling units at its headquarters in Abuja.

INEC, in a statement signed by its secretary, Augusta  Ogakwu said the suspension of the new polling units was premised on the level of controversy it generated in the country.

The statement said INEC had “reviewed reports sent in from States by Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on reconfiguration of the polling unit structure and creation of additional polling units.

“Taking everything into consideration – especially the controversy over creation of additional polling units that has been overheating the polity, and the apparent inadequacy of time for the exercise – the Commission took a decision to suspend the exercise until after the 2015 general elections.”

The commission however stated that it will continue with “the use of Voting Points, where necessary, to mitigate population pressure in overcrowded polling units during the forthcoming elections.”

INEC added that polling units at certain locations that do not suit the conduct of election would be relocated.

The electoral body also assured that polling units would as much as possible be henceforth located in enclosures like class rooms, instead of open spaces.