By John Nwokocha

Abuja

About 39 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Persons With Disabilities PWDs have pledged to support the plan by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to expand voter access to polling units for elections.

INEC, on Wednesday in Abuja, as part of its engagements and consultations with stakeholders on the need to expand voters access to polling units, met with representatives of the CSOs and PWDs, who pledged support for INEC’s decision to expand voter access to polling units in the country saying it is important.

The meeting which was held virtual and in person participation in strict compliance with COVID-19 Pandemic protocols was attended by representatives of the CSOs, was presided over by the national chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, with other national commissioners in attendance.

During the engagement which coincided with the first quarterly meeting with CSOs and PWDs and the Commission for 2021, INEC presented visual evidence on the challenges of voter access to polling units in Nigeria. Participants therefore resolved that given the current state of voter access to polling units, expanding access to polling units is fundamental and critical to the exercise of the right to vote and to free, fair and credible elections; that it is important and necessary to widely consult and engage in strategic communication with relevant stakeholders to develop consensus and build trust in expanding voter access to polling units; that in expanding access to polling units due attention should be paid to the needs of women, youth, PWDs and other vulnerable groups; that CSOs present in the meet support INEC proposal for the expansion of voter access to polling units and commits to collaborate with the Commission in achieving this objective; that the commission commits to a process that is data driven and will uphold the principles of transparency, accountability, equity and inclusivity in the expansion of voters access to polling units and that there should be further consultations between INEC and the CSOs to ensure successful expansion of voter access to polling units.

These resolution was contained in a document signed by Civil Society Situation Room, The Albino Foundation, Centre for Democracy and Development, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, Yiaga Africa, Centre for Transparency Advocacy and Oja Development Consults.

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