INEC takes bold step in creation of additional polling units ahead of 2023 election

Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), held a meeting with the chairmen and secretaries of political parties on the creation of more polling units.

In a report by Channels TV, the meeting held at the INEC headquarters on Friday, February 5, is the commission's first engagement with party leaders aimed at enhancing voters’ access to PU.

The electoral commission also confirmed the meeting in Abuja, the nation's capital in a series of tweets.

According to the INEC boss, the last time polling units were created in Nigeria was 25 years ago.

While proposing the creation of more polling units, Professor Yakubu said he is of the opinion that the inadequate number has contributed to voter apathy and dwindling turnout.

Nigeria has maintained 119,973 polling units since 1996 when the country had about fifty million registered voters. The meeting is coming after the electoral commission said that more polling units will soon be created.

The commission is planning to engage stakeholders on the planned expansion of voter access to the PUs.

Ongoing...Chairman INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu National Commissioners and Secretary to the Commission in a Consultative Meeting with Leaders of Political Parties at INEC Headquarters Abuja pic.twitter.com/sXjqLRlJFW

— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) February 5, 2021