30,000 Additional Poling Units To Be Created In Adamawa – Resident Commissioner

By Garba Mohammad
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in charge of Adamawa State Barr.Kassim G. Gaidam has disclosed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will open about 30,000 polling units in the state in order to reduce congestion at the polling units come 2015.
Gaidam made the disclosure during the inauguration of the State Inter Agency Advisory Committee on Voter Education and Publicity (SICVEP) which took place at Muna Hotel in Yola yesterday.
He said the resolve was part of the effort of the Commission to ensure that each polling unit does not contain more than 500 registered voters in order for the commission to simplify its job during elections in the state.
Gaidam added that as part of its overall mission to create voter awareness, the comission has thought it desirous to establish at the National level, the Inter agency Advisory Committee on Voter Education and Publicity and to similarly direct all states and local Governments offices to follow suit.
“The preparations for the General Elections call for effective voter education to promote and ensure increased participation of Nigerian citizens at elections,” he noted.
He added that one of the cardinal objectives of the voter education was to enlighten and educate Nigerians not only about the specifics and mechanisms of the electoral process but also geared towards empowering people and informing them on their rights and responsibilities in the electoral process.
“The Commission realizes that there is a correlation between an enlightened, well informed electorate and the success of any election, hence its focus with renewed vigour on voter education.
“The challenge of voter apathy, thuggery, violence and most electoral offense will be drastically minimized through well coordinated voter education campaigns,” he said.
Gaidam noted that the terms of references of the SICVEP include reviewing the existing frame work and advice the commission on areas of improvement, proffer advice on effective strategies for public enlightenment and voter education and develop a medium to long term framework for civic and voter education in the state among others.