Apparently conscious of the criticisms that trailed its plan to create additional 30,000 polling units ahead of 2015 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Tuesday suspended the exercise.
According to the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Augusta C. Ogakwu, the decision to suspend the exercise was sequel to the review of reports sent by the State Resident Electoral Commissioners.
A statement issued by INEC Scribe reads, ”The Commission met today, Tuesday, November 11th, 2014, and 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.”
Mrs. Ogakwu, said the Commission will however, continue with the use of Voting Points, where necessary, to mitigate population pressure in overcrowded polling units during the forthcoming elections.
The Commission also said it will relocate polling units from unsuitable locations; and as much as possible ensure that polling units are located in enclosures such classrooms, rather than in open spaces.
