• Thursday, March 28, 2024
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BusinessDay

INEC increases polling units to 5720 in Anambra

No referendum, no elections in Ekiti, Osun, says Yoruba nation agitators

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has increased Polling Units (PUs) in Anambra state from 4,608 to 5,720.

Nkwachukwu Orji, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in Anambra State disclosed this during stakeholders Forum on Expansion of Voter Access to Polling Units on Monday in Awka.

Orji said the expansion became imperative as the commission last expanded its PUs more than two decades ago.

“From INEC records, the existing Polling Units were created 25 years ago and some of them today are in locations where they are no longer promote healthy electoral activities.

“Some of the polling units are located in front of shrines, some in private buildings and others in churches”, he said.

Orji who said that INEC national headquarters began the process about two weeks ago, hinted that already additional 1112 new polling units have been added to the existing 4608 polling units in the state.

Read Also: 2023: INEC creates 4861 new polling units in Lagos

He also announced that the commission would commence the continuation of the voters’ registration exercise on June 28.

The INEC official said the expansion was targeted at enhancing the participation of the electorate during elections, especially with the emergency of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Solo Chukwulobelu, secretary to the Anambra State Government who spoke on behalf of Willie Obiano, governor of the state commended INEC for the forum and the expansion policy.

He said that the objective of the commission on the expansion would surely improve the nation’s electoral system.

Timothy Ifedioranma, representing Njikoka two Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly said the delineation of polling units would further enhance people’s access to election centres.

He noted that congestion of electorates at polling units before now had promoted violence during the conduct of past elections.

The forum was attended by representatives of various political parties, security agencies, civil society representatives, and the media among others.