Cov/ Usman Mohammed, Jigawa
Independent National Electoral Commission INEC says it will establish additional polling units across the country.
Jigawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Mahmoud Isah made this known at a stakeholders meeting on expanding voter access to polling units in Nigeria.
According to him, inadequacy of polling units has been proved by overcrowding in many polling centres during elections which lead to delay, disruption, violence and political apathy
Dr Mahmuda Isah said a survey conducted by the commission in 2014 shows that many polling units recorded excess number of voters, adding that some units exceeded the designated figure of 500 voters per polling unit to a couple of over 4000 registered voters
According to him some polling units are difficult for voters to exercise their franchise.
He said the objective of the exercise is to convert existing voting points settlements into full polling units.
Dr Mahmoud Isah said location of polling units should be in schools, town community halls, health centers, court premises and public recreational centers among others.
He further explained that polling unit should not be located in private compound, royal palaces, residence of government officials, political party buildings and worship places.