Musa Na Allah Sokoto
Ahead of 2023 general election; the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will upgrade 956 polling units in the ongoing expansion and relocation of polling units exercise in Sokoto state
The National Commissioner, Mr Festus Okoye, stated this in an interview with Stallion Times in Sokoto after stakeholders meeting on expansion, and conversion of voting points into polling units held in Sokoto.
According to Mr. Okoye after the conversion based on guidelines, adjustments would be made from the initial 3,035 polling units to 3,991 and the registered voters would be 1,903,166 in the state.
He further stated that the commission embarked on polling unit’s expansion with a view to ensure easy voting processes in the country saying that it was long when such adjustment was conducted.
He said the exercise was sequel to the increased population and attempt to decongest over populated polling units noting that INEC officials face enormous challenges in containing the overcrowded polling units.
Such overcrowded polling units according to him always led to eruption of violence, depraving eligible voters’ rights, extension of time and other associated challenges in the voting
He explained that some polling units were stationed in religious places, privates’ residents and other personal structures which during the exercise would be relocated to designated government structures to ensure hitch free voting exercise during elections.
”Polling units relocation means movement of polling units from unsuitable locations to suitable locations aimed at creating conducive environment for both electorates and poll officials.
”Efforts has started long time ago and different stakeholders from people at the grassroots up to the Presidency have been involved in the process,” says Mr Okoye.
The exercise is scheduled to conclude by May 11, this year and reassured that voters would reap maximum benefits by facilitating easy access and voting processes.
The National Commissioner added that digital efforts by the commission to deploy Information Technology gadgets would also serve as lubricant to the entire system.
He said at present parties after primary elections would be giving a code to register the candidates online while eligible voter can start voter registration with his Android phone and ended it at registration points by photograph and thumb identifications.
Okoye explained that the process goes to others areas such transfer of voting points, accessing and monitoring of election results and others via improved digitalized platforms.
He said after the proposed conversion, the 1,903,166 registered voters in Sokoto state would be placed in 3,991 polling units after 956 polling units were adjusted from the initial 3,035 polling units.
