The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday, February 2, announced its readiness to embark on stakeholder consultations with the aim to expand voter access to polling units. In a statement by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, the Commission expressed concern over the inadequacy of the numbers and condition of polling units across the country and the challenges they pose to election management. Over time, the commission has resorted to temporary measures such as creating voting points and voting point settlements to address the issue. However, it is now looking to engage with diverse stakeholders, including civil society organisations, religious and traditional leaders, labour unions, etc, to find more lasting solutions to these challenges, which will equally address the bigger issue of declining voter turnout.
The series of engagements with stakeholders commenced on Friday, February 5 with a consultative meeting with political party leaders at the INEC headquarters in Abuja, followed by a meeting with civil society organisations and persons with disabilities (PWDs) on Tuesday, February 9. Speaking at the meeting with political parties, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Electoral Operations and Logistics Committee, Prof. Okechukwu Ibeanu stated that the current configuration of polling units cannot guarantee the rights of Nigerians to vote. He explained that the inconducive state of polling units, has been further amplified in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, as they are inadequate to ensure the observance of relevant health protocols. Prof. Ibeanu also noted that the Commission’s attempts to create more polling units according to section 42 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) or relocate polling units to more suitable venues, have been met with resistance.
As part of its preparations for upcoming off-cycle elections and the 2023 general elections, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu on Monday, February 8, inaugurated an 18-member Strategic Plan Committee. The Committee was entrusted with the responsibility of developing a Strategic Plan which will form the basis of the Election Project Plan for the 2023 general elections, as well as identify programmes and activities to be implemented before the general elections. Furthermore, the Committee is expected to assess the impact of the 2017-2021 Strategic Plan on the outcome of the 2019 general elections, against the recommendations of election observer reports; identify threats, weaknesses, gaps and opportunities in the plan, as well as develop and produce the 2022-2026 Strategic Plan. This will be third time the Commission will be inaugurating such a committee.