INEC Removes Polling Units Located In Private Houses In Enugu

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Monday, January 19th, 2015

IGNATIUS OKPARA, Enugu – As part of efforts to nip in the bud all manner of electoral frauds in next month’s general elections in Enugu state, the Independent National Election{INEC} has removed all polling units located inside individuals residential houses, especially politicians.

Resident Electoral Commissioner [REC,in charge of Enugu state, Professor Eze Onukaogu, made this known Monday in Enugu during a session with chairmen of political parties and stakeholders in the state.

He assured that no polling unit would be located inside people’s houses or in front of the residence of traditional rulers, stressing that those located in people’s houses have been removed and relocated to neutral areas including open spaces.

The Enugu REC however, emphasised the need for sustainable development in Nigeria, saying “if we don’t achieve good governance, we cannot have sustainable development”

He stated that there was need for the electorate to vote for lawmakers that can achieve sustainable development for the country.

While soliciting the support of the chairmen of the political parties, Onuakogu assured the party chieftains that with their support, the commission would ensure a good electoral process next month.

He further told the leaders of the various political parties that the commission was making efforts to ensure that electoral materials arrived on time in the rural areas, advising them to release their agents to inspect the materials before they would be taken to the polling units.

Responding, Chairman of the All Progressive Congress{APC} and Senatorial Candidate of the party in Enugu East Senatorial Zone, Dr Ben Nwoye, had told Onukaogu that they in the opposition party believed that they were cheated in the last governorship election in Anambra State where the REC came from.

He also alleged that some staff of INEC were distributing the PVCs to the ruling People’s Democratic Party, stressing that the PDP was aggressive collecting the PVcs.

Nwoye therefore, advised INEC to make alternative arrangement should the electoral machines break down, expressing dismay on the way machines used in the past consistently disappointed the electorates.