The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Friday, gave further details on its preparation for November 6 Anambra Governoship election, disclosing that voting would take place in 5,634 out 5,720 polling units in the state.
The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, made this disclosure even as he reiterated the readiness of the Commission to conduct the election as scheduled.
He spoke at the final laps of the special Consultative meeting with political parties held at the INEC headquarters, Abuja.
He explained that following the recent successful conversion of voting points arising from the expansion of voter access to polling units in Nigeria, an additional 1,112 polling units were established in Anambra State in addition to the existing 4,608 locations bringing the total number of polling units in the State to 5,720.
The INEC Chairman said voters were encouraged to seize the opportunity of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise to transfer to the new polling units most convenient for them but many did not do so.
According to him, “This can be partly attributed to the security situation in the State which has affected the Commission’s pre-election outdoor activities, including voter education and sensitisation. Understandably, the voters have also been more circumspect in asking for transfer to polling units.
“At the same time, the Commission did not use its powers under Section 42 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) to allot voters to the new polling units in order to minimise the disruptions that may occur from such a decision in view of the forthcoming Governorship election.
“Consequently, out of the 5,720 polling units in Anambra State, 86 (1.5%) have no voters. For that reason, the Commission will not be deploying personnel and materials to these polling units.
“Furthermore, 894 (15.6%) of the polling units have between 1 and 49 voters. Election will hold in these polling units. We will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure that all Polling Units have voters allotted to them ahead of the 2023 General Election.”
He added that in avowed commitment to transparency, the Commission has compiled a comprehensive list of all the Polling Units without voters as well as those having under 50 registered voters.
Yakubu further disclosed that at the deadline of 21st October 2021, 17 out 18 political parties have nominated their Polling Agents for all or a substantial number of the Polling Units and collation centres.
He however, noted that one party failed to nominate a single agent for any Polling Unit or collation centre although it has a Governorship candidate and a running mate participating in the election.
Also, he affirmed that the Commission has moved all non-sensitive materials for the election to the 21 Local Government Areas of the State while the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is handling the delivery of sensitive materials to the State on schedule.
“Our State office in Awka is arranging for stakeholders to inspect the materials at the premises of the CBN in Awka”, he added.
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