The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended its proposed the creation of 30,000 additional polling units, ahead of the 2015 elections.
A statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by its secretary, Mrs Augusta C. Ogakwu, on Tuesday night stated that INEC was stopping the creation of the units following pressures mounted on it by the public who have said the creation of such is ill-timed.
INEC had in August said it would create additional 30,000 polling units for the 2015 general elections. But various groups criticised the plan, stating varying reasons.
The terse statement from INEC reads:
The commission met today (Tuesday) 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.
“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 election.
“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 will also relocate polling units from unsuitable locations and, as much as possible, ensure that polling units are located in enclosures such as classrooms, rather than in open spaces,”
Meanwhile, Continuous Voter Registration will commence Wednesday in Kano, Edo, Plateau, Ogun, Imo, Lagos and Adamawa States.
Person who have not registered have been advised by INEC to ensure they register.