For the first time since the creation of new polling units in 1996, Nigeria is looking to create more units to better serve its voting community ahead of its 2023 general elections.
As Nigerians prepare for the next polls scheduled to hold in early 2023, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has revealed that the electoral umpire has resolved to create additional polls for the forthcoming elections.
Speaking at a recent technical session organized in collaboration with the Joint National Assembly Committee on INEC, and focused on the impending amendment of the country’s Electoral Act, Yakubu made it known that now, more than ever, there is a vital need for increased access to voting. “We need to expand access of voters to pooling units. The last time pooling units were created was in 1996,” he said.
What Do The Numbers Say?
Earlier in the year, Yakubu had hinted at the possibility of creating new polling units ahead of the polls while receiving Geographic Information System GIS Support equipment donated by the European Centre for Electoral Support ECES.
In his speech, Yakubu also revealed that despite Nigeria’s rising population that has simultaneously increased the voting community and resulted in the construction of new settlements, there was an obvious gap in the polling units available. Giving actual numbers, the Chairman revealed that the country currently has 119,973 polling units and 57,000 voting points, bring it up to a total of over 180,000 polling units and voting points.
“Yet, if you look at some of the satellite images and you place dots on spots where there are polling units in relation to the vast area where we have no polling units, we are still underserved…” he explained.
Controversial Attempt
It is imperative to note that in 2014, INEC pushed for the creation of more voting units ahead of the 2015 general elections. This attempt, which sought to create 30,027 polling units with the Northern region getting 21,615, while the Southern would make do with 8,412, had been received poorly. With both regions at loggerheads because of the assigned figures, INEC was forced to jettison the plan.
This story is part of our new series on Nigeria where we analyse electoral and political reform in the country ahead of the next general elections in 2023.
