No discrepancies in 2023 election result, INEC replies group

The Independent National Electoral Commission, on Thursday, refuted allegations of discrepancies in the 2023 presidential election results.

INEC refuted the allegations following claims by the Centre for Collaborative Investigative Journalism that irregularities were misreported during the collation process.

The CCIJ had questioned the integrity of INEC’s announced figures.

In a letter to the INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, dated August 7, 2024, the CCIJ pointed to discrepancies between results broadcast live during the collation and those later filed by electoral officials on INEC’s Result Viewing Portal.

According to the body, INEC publicly reported cancellations in 1,578 polling units due to irregularities, affecting about 1,205,000 registered voters, while electoral officials’ reports indicated cancellations in 2,203 units, covering over 1,221,000 million voters.

“Can you explain the differences between what INEC officials were saying publicly versus the records filed by polling unit workers?” the body queried.

However, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, dismissed the claims in response, asserting that the figures presented by the commission at the National Collation Centre were accurate and reflective of official reports.

Oyekanmi stressed that no discrepancies existed between the publicly announced results and those filed by polling officials.

“First, the commission does not announce election results on YouTube. The 2023 presidential election results were announced at the National Collation Centre, Abuja, in the presence of stakeholders, including the media.

“Secondly, there are no discrepancies either in the number of registered voters or the presidential election results announced by the commission.

“Thirdly, our comprehensive 468-page report of the 2023 general election, containing the answers and clarifications to your questions, was officially released in March this year and immediately uploaded to our website www.inecnigeria.org,” he stated.

He further emphasised that the collation process adhered strictly to established protocols, with returning officers required to report total valid votes, rejected votes, and cancelled votes, alongside reasons for any cancellations.

Oyekanmi added that party agents were given opportunities to raise objections during the announcements, but none did so.

“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 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,” he explained.

The CPS also noted that INEC was prepared to provide further clarification but highlighted the absence of specific information in CCIJ’s query, such as the precise polling units or wards in question.

“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 April 16, 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, eard 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,” he noted.

He urged the group to supply these details for a thorough review.

“The result of an election may be cancelled for specific reasons, including violence, over-voting, and refusal to use the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, 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,” CPS stated.

Oyekanmi added, “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.”