By Monsur Olowoopejo
Ahead of 2011 general elections, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday,  said it has approved 8,465 polling units for voters’ registration and for election process.

INEC also disclosed that over 240,000 ad hoc staff had been employed to conduct the registration exercise and voting process.
INEC added that the staff comprises National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members, senior university staff and others.

This was disclosed by the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Lagos, Dr. Adekunle Ogunmola, at the voters’ education and mobilisation flag off campaign organised by the Lagos State government, in Ikeja, Lagos.

Ogunmola said: “The polling units have been verified and harmonised, and can now be viewed on Google maps by every Nigerian,” adding that the commission has approved over 8,465 DDC machines for use during the exercise.

“INEC has developed software that is owned by the commission. This software will enhance and improve the accuracy and convenience with which the register can be revised, updated and also tackles the lingering challenges that have questioned our voters’ register in past elections conducted in the country.

“The commission will also construct a situation report room so that stakeholder can inform the commission about voters’ registration problem as they develop so that the commission will be able to tackle the problem as they arrive.”

He said that based on the complaints received by the commission from Nigerians over the distribution of election materials, “INEC has acquired more boats and vehicles to assist the commission to penetrate difficult terrains in the country during the elections.”

While speaking on the importance of the voters’ registration, Ogunmola said: “The registration of voters form the bedrock of any credible election. Without a credible voters register, there cannot be a credible election in the country.

He, however, said the reason why the commission decided to organise a new voters’ registration exercise was due to the research conducted INEC which “sampled 100 polling units from 19 randomly selected states. The results are alarming.”