Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has emphasized that the experiences gained from the 2023 elections will serve as valuable lessons to enhance the collation and declaration of results in future elections.
Yakubu made this assertion during the INEC post-election review meeting with Collation and Returning Officers, held at Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja on Friday.
The INEC boss urged senior officials to engage in constructive discussions, focusing on key aspects like “the integrity of the collation and declaration procedure, including the application of the law, regulations, and guidelines for result management.”
He also stressed the importance of assessing the role of technology in result management, ensuring the security of Collation/Returning Officers and collation centers, and evaluating the conduct of party agents and election observers during the collation process, as well as the behavior of security personnel.
Yakubu acknowledged the challenging circumstances under which the officers worked, manually completing designated forms as provided by the law, and moving them to the next level of collation or concluding the processes as Returning Officers.
The Chairman appreciated the dedication, commitment, and sacrifice shown by the officers in upholding democracy during the election.
While some issues are currently under litigation, Yakubu assured that the meeting would facilitate broad discussions on these matters and enable the sharing of experiences to chart a way forward.
He urged participants to identify strengths, weaknesses, and necessary reforms that need to be introduced in future elections.
Yakubu assured Nigerians that the comprehensive report resulting from the review meeting would be produced, encompassing the practical experiences and perspectives of the National Commissioners, Collation and Returning Officers, and other Senior Officials.
He expressed his expectation for candid discussions on field experiences to further improve this critical aspect of the electoral process, reiterating INEC’s commitment to transparency and continuous improvement.