…Creates 1349 additional poling units in Bauchi
BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unveiled plans to convert voting points and voting settlements into full polling units in Bauchi State as a means of expanding voter access to polling units.
This was announced by Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi during a stakeholders meeting in Bauchi.
Abdullahi said that where necessary, the Commission will relocate new and existing ones to places closer and more accessible to voters and the commission.
He explained that that the meeting is in continuation of the Commission’s engagement with critical stakeholders in the electoral process at all levels.
Abdullahi said; “We cannot afford to take the contribution of our stakeholders for granted. Section 42 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) vested the Commission with the power and responsibility of establishing sufficient number of polling units in each registration area.
“It is in line with that mandate that the Commission has in the past few weeks embarked on field identification and verification of polling units Nationwide.
Abdullahi also said that the Commission will decongest existing polling units by reducing number of voters per polling units to maximum of 750 voters and minimum of 500 voters per unit.
The REC further said that the commission will continue to improve the quality of access to electoral services for all Nigerians, adding that better access to voting at the polling units would also be accorded Persons with Disability (PWD).
He said that the exercise when approved, will also improve the health and safety conditions of voters and the electoral officials at polling units during elections by complying with COVID-19 safety protocols among others.
Abdullahi said that consequent upon the exercise, a total number of 1,349 voting points and 174 existing polling units have been recommended for conversion and relocation in strict compliance with the guidelines for expanding voter access to polling units.
Abdullahi announced that Bauchi state has 2,462,843 as registered voters, 212 Registration Areas (RAs), 4,074 polling units as well as 1,349 converted voting points.
All those who spoke during the meeting applauded INEC for the move which they noted was long overdue considering the stress people go through in order to be able to discharge their franchise, a development they said usually lead to voter apathy in the state.
