Questions over many voided votes

Nigerians have expressed concern about the high number of voided voters in the on-going elections.

Some voters and politicians said it means that some voters still have poor knowledge of voting procedures.

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), while declaring President Goodluck Jonathan winner of the presidential poll said about 1. 3 million votes were voided out of a total of 39. 4 million.

There were also many voided votes in the April 9 national assembly elections.

To reduce the problem, Olukoya Olukayode, a voter and public commentator, called on politicians to adequately educate voters.

National Chairman of the Nigeria Peoples Congress (NPC), Ngozi Emioma, also called on electoral officials to enlighten voters about the electoral process so their votes will not be voided during counting.

Boniface Aniebonam, the National Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) also agreed that more voter education is needed but asked INEC to ensure that voting materials, like ink, are of good quality to avoid errors by voters.