The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has addressed concerns regarding allegations of migrating voters to different polling units during the recent elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). In a statement, the commission clarified that it did not relocate voters but instead established split polling units to enhance the electoral process and reduce congestion.
Wilfred Ifogah, the Acting Director of Voter Education and Publicity at INEC, explained that instances of confusion arose as some voters struggled to locate their designated polling units. He emphasized, “Contrary to the claims that some voters were migrated to new polling units, the commission wishes to state categorically that voters were not migrated. What we did was to create split polling units in large polling units with voter registrations exceeding 1,250 to avoid congestion on election day.”
The split polling units are situated a short distance from the original locations, ensuring voters remain within the same premises. This initiative aimed to facilitate a smoother voting experience, particularly in areas with high voter turnout.
To assist voters in confirming their registration details and polling unit locations, INEC displayed the official register of voters at designated centers and split polling units four days prior to the elections. Additionally, text messages and emails were dispatched to affected voters on February 18, 19, 20, and 21, providing them with information about their specific polling unit locations. Ifogah noted that these communications were intended solely as reminders to help voters identify their current polling units.
On election day, INEC’s Election Operations Dashboard reported that 45 per cent of polling units opened for voting at 08:30 and that all polling units were confirmed to be operational by 10:00.
The commission’s proactive measures aimed to ensure a transparent and efficient electoral process, reinforcing its commitment to improving the overall voting experience for citizens in the FCT.
