The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said it has established 1,374 more polling units in Akwa Ibom State.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, Mr Mike Igini, who stated this during a Stakeholders Meeting on Expansion Of Voters Access and Establishment of New Polling Units in Uyo, Weekend, said with the creation, the State now has 4,354 polling units.
Igini explained that the new polling units were realised by converting the existing and well known voting points into full fledged polling units.
He said the creation of the polling units was data driven and based on demographic and spatial considerations, adding that the creation was neccessary due to overcrowed polling units caused by phenomenal increase in the number of registered voters across the country.
He stated that the limited number of polling units was a discouraging factor for voter participation and the voting process, noting that it was responsible for delays, disruptions, violence and voter apathy.
“This phenomenal increase in the number of registered voters relative to the limited number of polling units (2,980) has led to over-crowded and over-congested polling units across the country and here in Akwa lbom State.
“This is the situation the Commission is seeking address given that limited access to polling units have become a discouraging factor for voter participation and the voting process, resulting in delays, disruptions, violence and voter apathy.
“To address these problems, the commission pursuant to its power under section 42 of the Electoral Act decided to convert the existing and well-known one thousand, three hundred seventy-four (1,374) voting points to full fledged polling units.
“This brings the total number of polling units in Akwa lbom State to four thousand, three hundred and fifty-four (4,354). The entire ongoing process is data-driven and based on demographic and spatial considerations.
“It should be noted that the problem of access has not only been that of availability and sufficiency but also the suitability of the locations of Polling Units for voting by all voters,” he stated.
Igini said the process was carried out for two weeks across the 31 local government areas of the state using UTM-Geo maps and GPS to determine locations and capturing the new polling units coordinates.
He noted that the project was very important because voter access is central to democratic elections as it “gives spice and piquancy to democracy”.
He explained that without access to convenient voting locations on the day of election, the right to vote becomes meaningless.
He added the exercise gives priority to the relocation of the existing and well-known voting points in unserved and under-served areas with particular focus given to access for Persons With Disability (PWD) and other vulnerable groups.
