Published February 3, 2021
Friday Olokor , Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission would be expanding the access of voters to polling units in subsequent elections .
The commission said it would address the inadequacies of polling units in Nigeria and the challenges they pose to election management .
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman , Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye , explained these in a statement iafter a meeting of its senior management staff in Abuja on Tuesday , adding that there would be a meeting of stakeholders on the issue .
He said, “ The commission met on February 2 2021 and deliberated on a number of issues including the finalised arrangements for the upcoming engagements with stakeholders on expanding voter access to polling units in Nigeria.
“ For several weeks , the commission has been preparing for these national engagements to address the inadequacies of polling units in Nigeria and the challenges they pose to election management .
“ Some of these challenges include overcrowding , numerous unserved populations and poor locations, which are potentially disenfranchising millions of Nigerians , and also pose health risks in the context of the COVID – 19 pandemic. This is a national problem that calls for national consensus .”
He said INEC planned to meet with stakeholders including political parties , civil society organisations , religious leaders , traditional institutions and labour unions .
“ Among the burning issues to be addressed at these consultations are the challenges that declining access to polling units pose to democracy and election management in Nigeria .”