TheNewsGuru

Tag: polling units

  • EXCLUSIVE: Northern power brokers move to halt INEC’s expansion of voters’ access to polling units

    EXCLUSIVE: Northern power brokers move to halt INEC’s expansion of voters’ access to polling units

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s decision to expand polling units across the country to stop voter apathy and deliver more credible immediate and future elections maybe hitting the rocks sooner than it is taking off, TheNewsGuru.com, TNG can authoritatively report.

    Findings by TNG revealed that the expansion of polling units by the electoral umpire has been in the offing for over 25 years with successive INEC leaderships stopping the onerous task midway because of intense pressure from some ‘powers that be’ particularly from the northern part of the country.

    TNG gathered that the commission is already facing backlash from some prominent northern personalities who want the polling unit retained without further expansions.

    TNG reports that the nation’s 119,973 polling units were configured as far back as 1996 by the then National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON) and it was meant to serve just 50 million voters.

    To kick start the expansion process, INEC on Monday commenced a two-day training on “Implementation of expansion of voters’ access to polling units” for Electoral Officers (EOs) and Assistant Electoral Officers (AEOs) in charge of Administration, Operations and Cluster Registration nationwide. The training was declared opened by the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the 36 states of the federation.

    Declaring the training opened on Monday, Malam Garba Attahiru-Madami, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kwara State said: “Election start from polling unit, if there is no polling unit, there would be no election and collation, that is how important polling unit is,” he added.

    He therefore charged the participants to take the training very serious as the outcome of the training would offer opportunity on what they would do on the field.

    “I don’t need to re-emphasise why access to polling unit is very important. We already know that this exercise was carried out in 1996 and it was to serve 50 million voters.

    “In 2019 election, we have greater voters of 84 million; you can see that the polling units now are grossly inadequate.

    “By the time general election will take place in 2023, our projection is to have over 120 million voters.

    “The number of polling units we have now cannot serve the 120 million voters, so the training is very important,” he said.

    Meanwhile, a top INEC official confided in TNG that the creation of the polling units in 1996 also came with its peculiar challenges because of the way the then NECON leadership compromised its stand after intense pressure from interested parties. The source explained further that the courageous move by the incumbent chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to expand the polling units is being threatened by those who benefitted illegally from the exercise in1996.

    “Political and electoral stakeholders had tremendous influences on the choices, number and locations of poling units in Nigeria. NECON compromised what should have been a mere administrative process of election. Many stakeholders bought their ways through and owned polling units. Such polling units served and secured electoral and political gains for the “buyers”. Many political heavy weights today rose through such polling units. Majority of those stakeholders and their followers are still in the system and they determine today’s political landscape. Their experiences both in “purchasing” polling units and harvesting the dividends of their investment cannot allow them to confer trust on any Commission’s attempt to neutrally expand polling units,” the source said.

    Speaking on the backlash, the source said: “The commission has fulfilled all righteousness in its move to expand the polling units. We ensured that all stakeholders had inputs. Nothing was done in isolation. We therefore find it funny that some people who were carried along from inception till now are moving to rubbish the process. However, we remain resolute in the delivery of an unbiased electoral system in Nigeria. We believe this is a solid pathway to ensure credible immediate and future elections in the country and therefore hope that dissenting views on the expansion will come to terms with this.”

  • 2023: INEC clarifies expansion of access to polling units nationwide

    2023: INEC clarifies expansion of access to polling units nationwide

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Rivers, on Thursday, provided clarification on the expansion of access to polling units before the 2023 general election.
    Mr Obo Effanga, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, gave the clarification in a statement issued by the Public Affairs Officer, Mrs Geraldine Ekelemu to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
    Effanga stated that the commission was currently holding national consultations with various stakeholders on expanding access to polling units and decongesting existing ones clustered in the same location.
    He further said that the commission would later hold similar consultations at the state and local government levels, on modalities and parameters for relocating some of the voting points.
    “These processes will be comprehensive enough to take care of the interest of all voters and communities,” he said.
    Effanga assured voters in the state that there were plans by the commission to convert the existing voting points and voting point settlements in the country, into fully fledged polling units.
    “The plan is to expand access to polling units and decongest existing polling units clustered in the same location.
    “It is, therefore, unnecessary for citizens and communities to send unsolicited requests for the creation of polling units to INEC, because the commission, as custodian of the data of all registered voters, already knows the locations of the voters and polling units that have passed the threshold for expansion.
    “INEC in Rivers is constrained to make this clarification so that no unscrupulous person takes advantage of innocent members of the public to claim ability to attract influence, create or expand access to polling units anywhere,”Effanga said.
  • #OndoDecides2020: Akeredolu, Jegede, Ajayi win polling units

    #OndoDecides2020: Akeredolu, Jegede, Ajayi win polling units

    The three major candidates in today’s governorship election in Ondo State have all won their individual polling units.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that as at the time of filing this report, voting has ended in most of the polling units.

    Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who is seeking reelection on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, won the election held in his Polling Unit 6, Ward 5, Isokun, Ijebu Owo. He scored 413 votes to defeat Peoples Democratic Party’s Eyitayo Jegede, who polled 12 votes; and the candidate of the Zenith Labour Party, Agboola Ajayi, who scored zero.

    Also, Jegede won his Igbogin/Isikan Ward 2, unit 9, polling 220 votes against 60 recorded by Akeredolu while Ajayi got seven votes.

    At home, Ajayi, the deputy governor of the state, also won in his polling unit in Kiribo in the Ese Odo Local Government Area of the state.

    According to the result pasted at the unit by the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, titled ‘Publication of Reault of Poll’, Agboola won the Apoi Ward II, Unit 004, Idumado Quarters, Kiribo with a wide margin having garnered 395 votes.

    His closest contestant, Akeredolu, scored 13 votes while Jegede secured five votes.

    Sorting of votes and counting is still ongoing at different polling units in the state as of the time of filing this report.

  • [#OndoDecides2020] BREAKING: Gunmen fire shots at Ondo polling unit

    [#OndoDecides2020] BREAKING: Gunmen fire shots at Ondo polling unit

    Sporadic shootings have been reported at one of the polling units in the ongoing governorship election in Ondo State.

    The incident happened at Pollíng Unit 11, Edo Lodge in Oke Ijebu, Akure.

    Spokesman of the Ondo State Police Command, Tee-Lee Ikoro confirmed the incident said Mobile Police operatives have been deployed to the scene.

    Details shortly…

  • #OndoDecides2020: Voters arrive early at polling units, shun physical distancing [Photos]

    #OndoDecides2020: Voters arrive early at polling units, shun physical distancing [Photos]

    The electoral process for electing a new governor in Ondo State has commenced.

    Today, voters will decide whether to give incumbent Rotimi Akeredolu a second term or elect Eyitayo Jegede or Agboola Ajayi as the new governor.

    In Akure, the state capital, voters were seen as early as 8 am at polling units checking their names on the voters register with some already form a queue expectantly waiting to cast their votes.

    Meanwhile, no physical distancing was observed. Most of the voters are also not putting on face masks.

    No physical distancing but some wear masks

  • #EdoDecides2020: Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu win polling units

    #EdoDecides2020: Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu win polling units

    Leading candidates in the Edo governorship election, Godwin Obaseki (of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP) and Osagie Ize-Iyamu (of the All Progressives Party, APC) have both delivered their polling units.

    Obaseki won his polling unit in Oredo Ward 4, Unit 19 with 184 votes while Osagie Ize-Iyamu got 62 votes.

    In the same ward, Unit 21, PDP got 53 votes while the APC polled 33 votes.

    Obaseki’s PDP polled 70 votes ahead of Ize-Iyamu’s APC that garnered 65 votes. In Unit 23, it was PDP 101, APC 32.

    In Unit 24 of the same Oredo Ward 4, PDP won with 94 votes, while the APC got 50 votes.

    Still in the ward, but in Unit 25, the PDP got 33 votes ahead of the APC that had 22 votes.

    Result from the ward, Unit 26 indicates that APC scored 40 votes while the PDP got 98 votes.

    In Unit 7, it is the PDP, 93 votes, APC 28 votes, while in Unit 28, it is PDP, 77 votes and APC, 39 votes.

    Voting ended in most of the areas at 2.30 pm.

    In similar vein Osagie Ize-Iyamu won his polling unit at Ward 5, Iguododo community in Orhionwon Local Government Area with 292 votes while Obaseki got 21 votes.

    The APC candidate voted at 9:30 am at polling unit 26, ward 5 in Iguododo community, Orionhwon Local Government Area

    He had expressed the confidence that he would win the poll if the peaceful situation at his unit was the same everywhere.

    He commended INEC for good arrangements put in place for the poll.

    He said, “The accreditation is very easy, I have done that and they gave me the ballot paper. Where the ballot box is placed is covered and that means you can vote with some level of privacy.

    “I cannot say that what is happening here is happening all over the state because the communication is not very good.

    “I am happy I have been able to vote. I am very confident of winning and I just hope what is happening here is replicated all over the state.”

  • EdoDecides2020: Voting ends in most polling units, sorting of ballots, counting of votes commences

    EdoDecides2020: Voting ends in most polling units, sorting of ballots, counting of votes commences

    As voting activities nears completion in most polling units in Edo State governorship election held today, sorting of ballots and counting of votes have begun in.

    The APC and PDP are the major contenders of the 14 participating parties.

    Incumbent Godwin Obaseki of the PDP, is fighting to retain his seat, as he is locked in a fierce battle with Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the APC.

    The results are already being declared in some polling units.

    The election took place in the 18 local governments, 192 Wards, and 2,627 polling units.

    OHORDUA IBHIEDU PRIMARY SCHOOL (Ward 4, PU 008), Esan South-east

    APC- 52
    PDP- 90

    Ward 9, PU 1, Esan West LGA.

    APC: 24

    PDP: 97

    PU 11 Ward 4 Uromi Esan North-East LGA

    APC 51

    PDP 125

    Esan North East LGA, Arue (Ward 03), Arue Primary School 3 (PU 006):

    PDP – 350

    APC – 8

    Ward 9, PU 1, Esan west LGA.

    APC: 24

    PDP: 97

    Ward 04(Uhe/Idumuogbo/Idumueke), PU 01(Utantan Primary School, Igueben), Igueben LGA*

    APC – 117

    PDP – 133

    PU 12 Ward 4 Uromi Esan North-east LGA.

    APC 58

    PDP 118

    Esan North East LGA, Arue (Ward 03), Arue Primary School 2 (PU 005):

    Valid votes cast – 213

    PDP – 150

    APC – 61

    PU 02 Ward 5 Owan East LGA,

    APC 123

    PDP 083

    Idumwele Primary School – Ewu 2, Ward 08, PU 01, Esan Central LGA

    APC – 88

    PDP – 178

    EDITOR’s NOTE: The electoral umpire, National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to officially declare results. The above are results monitored by TheNewsGuru.com, TNG from the various polling units.

  • INEC to redesign polling units to comply with COVID-19 regulations

    INEC to redesign polling units to comply with COVID-19 regulations

    Amidst COVID-19, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that Polling Units shall be redesigned by the Commission to ensure substantial compliance with the COVID-19 protocols established by health authorities.

    INEC noted that, among other things, the redesign would emphasise social distancing, general hygienic conduct and enforcement of COVID-19 prevention protocols.

    The commission disclosed this in a ‘Policy on Conducting Elections in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic’ signed by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, released on Monday.

    The INEC chairman noted that on election day, the use of face masks shall be mandatory at Polling Units (PUs) and all election locations, stating that any voter without a face mask shall be turned away from the Polling Unit.

    “However, the Assistant Presiding Officer (APO) II in checking the Register of Voters may request removal of mask to prevent voter impersonation.

    “There shall be a two-tier queuing system at the Polling Unit – one outside and the other in the voting area. Voters will be brought into the voting area periodically to prevent overcrowding.

    “Tags and twines may be used to ensure crowd control and maintenance of

    social distance.

    “In order to accommodate additional activities in setting up the PU due to COVID-19, polls shall now commence

    at 8.30 am and close at 2.30 pm.

    “Anybody on the outer queue by 2.30 pm shall be allowed to vote, in line with

    the Commission’s regulations.

    “Prior to the commencement of polls, the Presiding Officer or Assistant Presiding Officer (VP) shall ensure that the contents of the Voter Code of Conduct (VCC) are read out loudly to voters and that the VCC Poster is pasted at the polling unit,” Yakubu said.

    He stated that there should be periodic disinfection of chairs, tables and work areas, as well as adequate ventilation at the Polling Units.

    “The Smart Card Readers (SCR) shall be cleaned with the prescribed disinfectant after each voter’s fingerprint is read.

    “Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other safety materials shall be provided for polling staff,” he said.

    Yakubu added that at the close of polls, polling unit staff should ensure that materials were properly disinfected, carefully packaged and that used PPE were hygienically packaged or disposed of.

    He explained that for purposes of collation of results after election the Commission would cluster Registration Area (RA) collation centres where feasible, in order to reduce exposure of people to the risk of COVID-19, speed up collation and reduce costs.

    “In order to prevent overcrowding during collation, only one polling agent of a party on the ballot (or the candidate in person) for the election(s) shall be allowed into the collation hall,” he said.

    On post-election activities, Yakubu stated that for reverse logistics, election staff must ensure that used, but reusable PPEs, were carefully packaged and sent to designated collection points.

    “All post-election debriefings shall preferably be done electronically. Where face-to-face debriefings take place, the protocols for COVID-19 prevention shall be followed,” he said.

    For pre-election activities, Yakubu stated that INEC should immediately embark on review of regulations, guidelines and manuals for elections in the light of changes to the electoral process that are imminent due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “Develop a Voter Code of Conduct (VCC) document detailing how voters are expected to act and conduct themselves at the polling units in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “Review all Elections Information Kits to include COVID-19 information.

    “Expand the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) at all levels to include NCDC (or other requisite health bodies) and National Orientation Agency (NOA) on a temporary basis,” he said.

    The INEC chairman mandated INEC state offices to work with local health authorities to do a health assessment of upcoming elections immediately.

    “Conduct immediate discussion with state governments where elections are to hold concerning lockdowns, curfews, etc, and how they might affect elections.

    “Ensure that Pre-Election Preparation (PEP) activities shall be conducted online preferably.

    “Where face-to-face activities become necessary, the protocols for COVID-19 prevention should be followed.

    “Pilot changes to the electoral process in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic in a by-election prior to the Edo and Ondo governorship elections in order to learn lessons where necessary,” he said.

    Yakubu explained that INEC has also made provision for handling and delivery of election materials.

    One of the provisions, according to him, was to reduce the number of contacts during distribution.

    He said when Non-sensitive Materials were procured, they would be delivered directly by vendors to States or purchased by States requiring the materials and packaged according to the quantity required by Registration Area.

    “This will reduce the level and number of contacts during distribution,” he said.

    He said that production of Sensitive Materials shall commence early to give adequate time for proper packaging and delivery.

    Yakubu added that to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19, the commission should reduce to a minimum interstate movement of staff, including ad hoc staff, for off-season and by-elections.

    “The rule shall be that only shortfalls requested by the states are filled from outside the state. As much as possible, all election staff will be sourced in-state,” the INEC chairman said.

    He added that in the establishment of voting points, in order to reduce the number of points in a Polling Unit to be monitored and controlled for COVID-19 compliance, the threshold for Voting Points shall be increased from 500/750 to 1,000/1,250.

  • Osun poll: INEC bans mobile phones at polling units, moves against vote buying

    Osun poll: INEC bans mobile phones at polling units, moves against vote buying

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued strict warning against the use of mobile phones in the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, Olusegun Agbaje said the commission in collaboration with security agents will do everything to prevent vote buying during the September 22 governorship election in the state.

    The REC, who said this in Osogbo on Thursday at a meeting held with the governorship candidates, their running mates and party officials as part of the preparations of the commission ahead of the poll, stressed that voters would not be allowed to use telephones to take photographs of their ballots.

    According to him, some voters have been using camera to take photographs of their ballots and show the same photos to politicians in order to be paid for voting for them.

    Agbaje, who was the REC that conducted the August 2014 governorship election in the state before he was transferred to Ondo State and brought back again, said that INEC was determined to conduct a transparent and violence-free election in Osun State and therefore needed the cooperation of all stakeholders to achieve this.

    He said vote-buying was an electoral offence, saying that emerging trends of electoral fraud would be curbed. he, however, noted that it required the support of all stakeholders and security agents.

    Agbaje said, “We won’t allow people to go to the polling booths with their telephones. There won’t be anything to show that this is who they cast their votes for. We have security agents and they will not allow that. You will see our plan to curb this during the election.

    “They said it was ‘vote and cook soup’ during Ekiti election, but they have changed it to ‘vote and buy land’ in Osun; but we won’t allow this. If you want to buy land, it won’t be from the money you will make during this election. You will need to look for other means to source money to buy the land.

    “That is why we want you all candidates and party leaders to talk to your people to stop this. If you see anybody giving money to people during the election, alert security agents.”

     

  • #EkitiDecides: Fayemi, Eleka win polling units

    #EkitiDecides: Fayemi, Eleka win polling units

    Governorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Kayode Fayemi and that of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the state, Kolapo Olushola-Eleka have both won their polling units.

    At the Isan polling unit, Ward 11, Unit 9, where the APC candidate, Kayode Fayemi voted, the following results was announced: APC- 186, PDP – 2, APA – 1, Unused papers – 145, Total registered voters – 345.

    However, the PDP candidate, Olusola-Eleka was also declared the winner in his polling unit. He scored 452 votes, while the APC candidate, Kayode Fayemi, scored 105. Others are; DPC – 1 vote, APA – 1 vote, PANDEL- 1 vote, PPA- 3 votes.

    Though not officially declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), findings by TheNewsGuru.com reveal that elections have been completed in most of the polling units with some cases of ballot snatching by supporters of both parties.

    INEC is expected to start collation of results from tonight and declare the winner as soon as counting is concluded