Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu has said the experiences in the 2023 elections
will be used as lessons to improve the collation and declaration of future elections’
results.
Yakubu also said the same submission will be harnessed to
work on future recruitment, training and posting of Collation and Returning
Officers, as well as logistics for movement to and from places of assignments.
He said this at the INEC post-election review meeting with
the Collation and Returning Officers held at Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja Continental
Hotel, Abuja on Friday.
Yakubu called on the electoral body’s senior officials to
brainstorm on the past election’s happenings to address “the integrity of the
collation and declaration procedure, including the application of the law,
regulations and guidelines for result management.”
The INEC boss also called on the officials to discuss the
past in addressing the future on, “The role of technology in result management;
security of Collation/Returning Officers and the collation centres; conduct of
party agents and election observers during collation and conduct of security
personnel.”
In a statement released on the Twitter handle of the INEC,
Yakubu said, “The Commission is aware that as collation and returning officers,
you worked under extremely challenging circumstances by tediously and manually
completing designated forms as provided by law and either moved them to the
next level of collation or concluded the processes as Returning Officers.
“Many of you also have the cognate experience of result
management, having served in similar capacities in at least three electoral
cycles. The Commission appreciates your commitment, dedication to duty and
sacrifice to the cause of our democracy.
“At the same time, issues have arisen and some Nigerians
have raised concerns about result management at various levels. While some of
the issues are subject of litigations and therefore sub judice, we can
nevertheless discuss them broadly and most importantly share experience on the
way forward.
“It is, therefore, the Commission’s expectation that at this
meeting, we will identify areas of strength and weaknesses as well as the
necessary reforms that we need to introduce going forward.”
He further told the National Commissioners, Collation and
Returning Officers, and other Senior Officials, “More specifically, and from
your practical experience in the 2023 General Election, we would like to hear
your perspectives on the processes and procedures.”
Yakubu assured Nigerians that the meeting to focus on the
reviews of the last general election will produce a detailed report.
“Consistent with the
Commission’s commitment, when the review engagements are exhausted, a
comprehensive report will be prepared. It is, therefore, expected that you will
share your field experiences candidly. We would like to hear from you and what
can be done to improve this critical aspect of the electoral process,” Yakubu
added.
REMARKS BY THE CHAIRMAN, INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION (INEC), PROF. MAHMOOD YAKUBU, AT THE POST-ELECTION REVIEW MEETING WITH COLLATION AND RETURNING OFFICERS HELD AT LADI KWALI HALL OF THE ABUJA CONTINENTAL HOTEL ON FRIDAY 21st JULY 2023
National Commissioners… pic.twitter.com/0rZLSouZXb
— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) July 21, 2023
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