INEC Reveals reason behind the New 30,000 Polling Units

The proposed creation of additional 30,000 polling units across the country by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was done with good intention. INEC said the creation of the new polling units is to make it easier to cast votes and avoid unnecessary waste of time at the polling centres.


The INEC commissioner in-charge of South-West, Professor Lai Olurode who spoke at a media interaction organised by Osun State chapter of Association of Veteran Journalists in Osogbo however said the electoral body is ready to review the decision if it becomes imperative.

“We are aware of the criticism on the creation of the 30,000 additional polling units. We don’t want anything that would tarnish our reputation. The intention was good and it was meant to reduce the stress people go through during the election. 

“We took the step when we realised that certain polling units had as much as 3,000 voters and we felt that it would amount to wasting time at the polling centres on the day of election as a result of large number of voters in the polling centres and the long queues. We are only concerned and ensuring free and fair elections,” he said.