In our commentary yesterday Wednesday, we took a critical look at reports that INEC has now decided that no polling unit will have more than 300 voters. The reported rationale behind this decision was that it will make accreditation easier, and accomplished within a maximum of four hours, so that voting can start from 12. 30pm. We commented extensively on the implications of this decision at this rather late stage in the preparations for the election, and drew attention to a number of challenges which the decision will encounter at the level of implementation. One of the problems we discussed is the absence of effective public awareness campaign by INEC to ensure that the voting public is made aware of this change, and appreciates its benefits, as well as be assured that it can be managed in such as manner as to guarantee both practicality and the credibility of the voting process.
In order to ensure that we sustain our very high levels of public awareness campaign, our medium has made efforts to confirm or clarify that this is the correct position, and what the public should expect as a consequence of this decision. This had become necessary because we are aware that majority of voters do not know of this decision, and, on the basis of practical experience, many people are liable to suspect any change or innovation in the voting process.
We have now confirmed that INEC’s decision is to break up large polling units with, say, 1000 to 1200 voters into 3 or 4 polling points. All the points will be around the same place. They will have their ballot box, officials with desks, and registers. The registers will be broken up alphabetically and assigned to the points in such a manner that accreditation and voting can take place without undue delays or manageable crowds. For the purposes of voting and counting procedures, all the points will be part of one unit, that is, votes cast at all points of the same unit will be treated as if they are cast in the same ballot box. Voting points are therefore only to assist in administration of polling activities in a polling unit, and are not additional, autonomous units.
This means that voters should go to the same polling units they went to last week. If their polling unit is large, they should expect to see additional ballot box or boxes, accreditation desk or desks, one or two more polling officers, and a register of voters which has been broken up in alphabetical order. They will be assigned to a polling point according to their names, and they will be accredited and vote in accordance to the same rules and procedures. Voters should be patient while locating which point of the unit which will have their names, and cooperate with the officials.
These explanations should help educate the public in terms of the decision to reduce the sizes of polling units by creating related polling points, but INEC still has to do a lot to ensure the success of the innovation. The recruitment and training of additional polling officials is important. It is hoped here that INEC already has a reserve of these officials, and will resist the temptation to tap into the ready pool of politically compromised list of non-NYSC ad hoc staff.
Another challenge to meet is still crowd control. The breaking up of large polling units into polling points may make it easier to complete accreditation and commence and conclude voting within a shorter period, but it will require some considerable effort and deployment of staff to control and guide the public to ensure a peaceful and secure environment. The overwhelming majority of citizens will go out, vote and come back home. They will trust that President Jonathan’s commitment to one man one vote is genuine, and Professor Jega’s integrity will be sufficient to protect their votes. But a small minority which has very little faith in the system will insist on staying behind, observing the count and declaration of votes at polling units, and even, in some cases, escorting used balloting materials to collation centers. A few more will appoint themselves as vigilantes to ensure that no rigging takes place, and they may assume roles and responsibilities which is given to Presiding Officers and security agents at polling units and collation centers. No one should therefore expect that everything will go smoothly on Saturday, but if majority of voters know the rules, and understand what is expected of them, trouble makers will be isolated. This is why it is important that those who want free and fair elections should go out only to vote, show discipline and be patient, and by all means resist antics of those who may want to cause trouble to get the elections cancelled, or to steal over votes.
This Saturday, it is possible that even more people will come out to vote than we saw last Saturday. If INEC has problems with missing or mixed-up ballot papers or other vital electoral materials in particular areas, States or Constituencies, it should have the courage to say so before people troop out again on Saturday. Security personnel should be well briefed on how to relate with the public, and on their specific roles in the voting process. It is very important that those who will be deployed to provide security cover and give the public the confidence to go out and vote conduct themselves in the appropriate manner. People will leave their homes rather early in the day, and some may need to move to one or two centers before they locate their registration units. These voters should not be harassed or discouraged.
Nigerians will cooperate with INEC and all other agencies because they want to vote for their next set of leaders. If they do not believe that their votes will count, they will not make all the sacrifices they are making. On Saturday, they will demonstrate their faith one more time in INEC and their nation’s future. All those with responsibility to assist them to vote, and to have their votes counted properly should do so. If they do not, and the Saturday elections fail substantially to meet the aspirations of our people, the next two elections will be in serious jeopardy.
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