The Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Mr. Razak Atuwa, has described as unconstitutional, the directive by the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba, that the electorate should go back home after casting their votes and should not wait for the votes to be counted.
Atunwa, who spoke in Ilorin on Saturday said the law permits the electorate to remain near the polling booth until the votes are counted.
“The directive by the Inspector-General of Police that voters should only cast their votes and go home and do not wait for the votes to be counted is null and void. It is of no effect,
“Speaking as a constitutional lawyer, the law permits the electorate to remain within the vicinity of the polling booth even after casting your vote in as far as you have a business in the unit. If you have a Permanent Voter Card, you are entitled to be at the unit without time limit. The IG, I am afraid got it wrong. I stand with the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahi Jega on this matter. His position that the electorate can wait for the votes to be counted is lawful. You can remain at the polling unit,” Atunwa said.
