By Adadainfo
Sixteen registration area centres (RACs) in three local government areas facing security challenges in Yobe State are to be relocated to safe zones ahead of the 2023 elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stated this Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting in Damaturu.
Alhaji Goni Usman, the head of operations of the commission, said the affected collation centres are in Geidam, Yunusari and Gujba local government areas, and would be relocated to safe areas.
He added however that the electoral body would not continue with the relocation if normalcy is restored at the affected areas before the 2023 general elections.
According to him, 1,109 voting points had been converted to polling units, making the total number of polling units in the state to 2,823.
Alhaji Lamido Ibrahim, head of ICT Department, said a total of 93,912 old and new PVCs were collected by the commission from 2019 to 2022, adding that 49,399 were distributed, while a balance of 44,513 remained unclaimed. He urged eligible voters yet to collect theirs not to delay again.
Meanwhile, the state commissioner of police, Mr Haruna Garba, advised political parties in the state to submit their campaign routines to the police for provision of protection.
According to him, the state command had identified flashpoints and possible trouble-makers ahead of the elections for necessary action.
He tasked stakeholders to sensitise their members to be law-abiding.