The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed the validity and authenticity of the 2023 presidential election results, dismissing claims of discrepancies between the official results and those presented on its website. INEC’s clarification follows allegations made by the Centre for Collaborative Investigative Journalism (CCIJ), which questioned inconsistencies in the reported cancellations of votes due to irregularities.
According to INEC, the results announced by returning officers at the National Collation Centre, broadcast live on national television, accurately reflect the true outcome of the election. The commission addressed concerns raised by CCIJ, which highlighted differences in the number of polling units (PUs) affected by voting cancellations. CCIJ claimed that INEC’s televised announcements reported 1,578 PUs with cancelled votes, while the documents on the INEC Result Viewing (IREV) portal indicated 2,203 PUs.
INEC emphasized that the discrepancies noted by CCIJ are unfounded and that the reported cancellations were due to irregularities, including violence, which was the leading cause. The commission maintained that the election process was transparent and that the final results are a true representation of the voters’ will.
The electoral body urged the public to disregard any misleading information and reiterated its commitment to ensuring the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
Responding, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, said the Commission does not announce election results on social media and that there are no discrepancies either in the number of registered voters or the presidential election results announced by the Commission.
He said;
“You listed three YouTube video links from Channels Television, showing the interactions between the State Returning Officers of Imo, Abia, and Zamfara States and the INEC Chairman at the National Collation Centre, Abuja.
“It is important to note that the Returning Officers of the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are required to present their presidential election results individually to the Chief Returning Officer of the Federation for the presidential election, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who is also the INEC Chairman.
“But contrary to your observations, there were no contradictions in the video clips. In conformity with the established procedure, the Returning Officer, in each clip, announced, in descending order, the total valid votes, rejected votes, total votes cast, cancelled votes (if any), the specific areas where such votes were cancelled, and where the election did not hold with reasons. Party agents were subsequently allowed to make observations or raise objections after each announcement, but there was none in all the video clips.
“The presidential election was conducted in 176,606 Polling Units, spread across 8,809 wards in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Supplementary elections were also held in 23 States on 15th April 2023 for various reasons captured under Chapter 11 of the Report of the 2023 General Election.
“To that extent, we need to know the state, Local Government Area (LGA), Ward and specific polling unit being referred to for proper evaluation of your enquiries and to enable us to provide the required information. Unfortunately, the precise information necessary to address your enquiries was missing.
“There are no ‘differences’ in the number of polling units and registered voters in the listed states. The total number of polling units and registered voters remains as announced by the Commission.
“The result of an election may be cancelled for specific reasons, including violence, over-voting, and refusal to use the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), as stipulated in the extant laws. At the same time, the conditions for making a return when the result of an election is cancelled or declared null and void in specific polling units have also been explained in the Electoral Act 2023 and the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections (2022). You are invited to read the full details on our website, www.inecnigeria.org.
“The results of the 2023 presidential election presented by our 36 State Returning Officers and the Returning Officer for the FCT at the National Collation Centre, Abuja, are official and authentic.
“The figures quoted in your letter purportedly from some local government areas in Imo State are inconsistent with the details/results presented publicly by the Imo State Returning Officer at the National Collation Centre, Abuja,” Oyekanmi added.
Be First to Comment