Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC has supended “the reconfiguration of the polling unit structure and creation of additional polling units” nationwide.The decision was taken Tuesday after a meeting and review of reports from states by the Resident Electoral Commissioners,REC.
Mrs Augusta C. Ogakwu ,Secretary to the Commission announced the suspension in a statement .“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”, she said
“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 secretary further said.
Mrs Ogakwu however noted that the Commission, nevertheless “will continue with the use of Voting Points, where necessary, to mitigate population pressure in overcrowded polling units during the forthcoming elections
It also resolved to “Relocate polling units from unsuitable locations”
The Commission also announced that as much as possible it would” ensure that polling units are located in enclosures such classrooms, rather than in open spaces.”
