The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, said it has suspended the creation of additional polling units. As contained in a statement issued by the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs Augusta C. Ogakwu, the decision was made after a review of reports sent in from States by Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).
The statement reads:
The Commission met today, Tuesday, November 11th, 2014, 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 elections.
The Commission, nevertheless:
1. Will continue with the use of Voting Points, where necessary, to mitigate population pressure in overcrowded polling units during the forthcoming elections.
2. Relocate polling units from unsuitable locations; and
3. As much as possible ensure that polling units are located in enclosures such classrooms, rather than in open spaces.
