Moses Ofodeme
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has assured of its commitment to improve on its overall election conduct with special emphasis on election results collation.
Chairman of the INEC, Mahmood Yakubu at at the Post- Election review meeting with Collation and Returning Officers in Abuja, observed that issues have arisen after the general elections 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.” Yakubu told his team.
He said more specifically, and from their practical experience in the 2023 General Election, the Commission would like to hear their perspectives on the processes and procedures for recruitment, training and posting of Collation and Returning Officers; logistics for movement to and from your places of assignment and the integrity of the collation and declaration procedure, including the application of the law, regulations and guidelines for result management.
The Chairman also demanded from them issues with the role of technology in result management; security of Collation/Returning Officers and the collation centres; conduct of party agents and election observers,security personnel during collation and any other lessons that will improve the future collation and declaration of results.
He said that consistent with the Commission’s commitment, when the review engagements are exhausted, a comprehensive report will be prepared.
The Commission, he noted is aware that as collation and returning officers, they indeed 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.
He said many of them also have the cognate experience of result management, having served in similar capacities in at least three electoral cycles and applauded their commitment, dedication to duty and sacrifice to the cause of our democracy.