INEC moves to relocate 26 centres as insecurity threatens elections in Yobe

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Yobe has said
26 registration centres may be relocated to alternative places for
the conduct of 2019 general elections due to the fear of ‘anticipated attacks’.

Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state Ahmad Makama told our correspondent: “INEC is well prepared but we have 26 registration centres that are considered to be unsafe. We are avoiding them due to security reasons because the safety of lives is not guaranteed and we will not expose our men and materials to any insecurity.

“We will scout for alternative areas that are safe and the stakeholders will be informed on the changes, accordingly.  Not only that, we will as much as possible avoid private residents or private places as polling units or collection centres”, he said.

Makama further said initially, there were 24 centres but with the
recent attack on Geidam, it has increased to 26.

According to him: “We will continue to review the situation. It is likely that is from now to election time, it will reduce or increase, depending on what happened” he said.

In 2015, the whole of Gulani local government was made to conduct its elections at Fika and in 2016, during bye-election in the area, the local government Residents converged at Bara town for same purpose.

On the unclaimed PVCs, the REC said the number has now reduced to 70,000 as against the 170,000 reported three weeks ago and was optimistic that before the close of shop on Friday February 8, the remaining would be claimed.

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