Bayelsa Has 2,244 Polling Units Now – REC . . . Enjoins Online Registrants To Complete Registration
2 min read
Dr Emmanuel Alex Hart
Chris Mark, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Emmanuel Alex Hart, has said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has increased the Bayelsa State Polling Units (PUs) to 2,244.
Hart who made this known during a press briefing at the Prof. Mahmood Yakubu Media Centre, Ovom, Yenagoa, Friday, March 25th, 2022, explained that the creation of new PUs was done last year before the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise began.
He revealed that the State has 440 new PUs in addition to the 1,804 PUs prior to the 2019 General Election which now made it a total of 2,244.
His words; ”I wish to emphasize that the new units need voters to make them viable. In this regard, new registrants alone cannot fill them up, thus we advise old registrants should verify, take advantage of the new location.
“Apply for transfers to these new units to ensure that by the 30th of June, 2022 when this CVR evercise will be put on hold to enable us prepare for the 2023 elections, the units will have the minimum required number of eligible voters.”
The Bayelsa REC said the notice of Election has been published on 28th of February, 2022 in compliance with the schedule of activities as detailed in the election time table for 2023.
He further pointed out that Electoral Act 2022 which is the guide for the 2023 election has activities that are time bound. He called on stakeholders to take note and comply with the schedule accordingly.
Hart commended the people of the state for their encouraging response since the beginning of the CVR exercise in June last year.
He informed that as at 21st of March, 2022, the online pre-registration was 393,129 and those who have completed theirs in-person registration stood at 226,900.
He enjoined the over 166,000 other online registrants to go to the nearest INEC designated points to complete the process in order to be effectively registered.
“The CVR will continue next quarter from 11th of April, 2022 and end on 30th June, 2022. All eligible registrants will be notified when PVCs are ready for collection,” he assured.
