Politics

The Independent National Electoral Commission has released the 2023 general elections report.

Its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

The report was released almost a year after the 2023 general elections.

Some Nigerians had expressed disappointment over the delayed uploads of the presidential election results to the INEC result viewing portal.

However, Olumekun said the election report was reviewed and approved for publication at the commission’s weekly meeting held on Thursday.

He noted that the publication was done in keeping with the commission’s tradition over the last four electoral cycles, and its commitment to transparency.

Olumekun said the “comprehensive 526-page document, structured into 13 chapters and enhanced with 60 tables, 14 boxes, and 10 graphs, offered an in-depth analysis of the election’s key processes, achievements, and challenges, along with valuable lessons learned.”

Giving more insights, the national commissioner stated “The report showcases the election’s unparalleled diversity in party representation, demonstrating significant democratic progress.

“This election saw four political parties winning gubernatorial races, seven parties winning senatorial seats, eight in federal constituencies, and nine in state legislatures, illustrating a broad shift in political representation across Nigeria.

“The report underscores the pivotal role of technological advancements, particularly the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, in enhancing electoral integrity and reducing fraud.

“Furthermore, it addresses public concerns about the INEC Result Viewing  portal, explaining the technical issues encountered during the upload of polling unit results for the presidential election.”

He added that other aspects covered in the report include logistics, security arrangements, staff recruitment and training, inclusivity measures, and the electoral framework,” he said.

Olumekun further stated that the  commission would welcome feedback to inform future electoral reforms and improvements.

Punch/ Adebukola Aluko

Politics

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has appealed to the citizens, especially social media users, to exercise restraint on what they post on election days.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu made the appeal in Abuja while briefing newsmen on how far the Commission had gone in the preparation for the 2023 general election.

Professor Yakubu, who promised that the Commission would be open to Nigerians, explained that issues regarding elections especially results were too sensitive to be posted on social media without hearing it first from the Commission.

The INEC Chairman said the Commission had procured, organised and delivered materials to the States of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory for deployment.

According to him, the Commission had concluded arrangements with the transport unions for the final movements of personnel and materials to the polling units and the unions had equally assured the Commission of their readiness to deliver even to the riverine areas.

He also said that about nine thousand local and foreign journalists had been accredited to cover the general election.

Professor Yakubu said that the staff to be deployed for the elections had been trained.

The INEC Chairman announced that all the technologies to be used for the elections had been tested, especially the BVAS and IREV Portal.

He urged eligible voters to confirm their polling units before the election days.

Ogochukwu Okoronkwo/Adetutu Adetule

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