No discrepancies in the 2023 election result, INEC group responds

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

INEC denied the allegations after the Centre for Collaborative Investigative Journalism alleged that irregularities were misreported during the reconciliation process.

The CCIJ had questioned the integrity of the figures released by INEC.

In a letter to INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu dated August 7, 2024, the CCIJ pointed out discrepancies between the results broadcast live during compilation and the results later submitted by the electoral officials on the INEC results display portal.

According to the organisation, INEC publicly disclosed that there were cancellations in 1,578 polling stations due to irregularities, affecting about 1,205,000 registered voters, while reports from electoral officials spoke of cancellations in 2,203 polling stations, affecting over 1,221,000 voters.

“Can you explain the differences between the public statements of INEC officials and the records of polling station staff?” the organisation asked.

However, the press secretary of the INEC chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, refuted these allegations, stressing that the figures presented by the commission at the National Collation Centre were accurate and reflected the official reports.

Oyekanmi stressed that there were no discrepancies between the publicly announced results and those presented by the electoral officials.

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

“Secondly, there are no discrepancies in the number of registered voters or in the results of the presidential elections announced by the Commission.

“Thirdly, our comprehensive 468-page report on the 2023 general elections, which contains the answers and explanations to your questions, was officially released in March this year and immediately uploaded on our website www.inecnigeria.org,” he stated.

He also stressed that the vote counting process had strictly followed established protocols and that returning officers were required to report the total number of valid votes, rejected votes and cancelled votes, as well as the reasons for any cancellations.

Oyekanmi added that party representatives were given the opportunity to raise objections during the announcements but none did so.

“You have listed three YouTube video links from Channels Television showing the interactions between the 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 National Capital Territory are required to submit their presidential election results individually to the Chief Returning Officer of the Federation for Presidential Elections, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who is also the Chairman, INEC.

“But contrary to your observations, there were no contradictions in the video clips. In accordance with the established procedure, the Returning Officer announced in each clip, in descending order, the total number of valid votes, the number of rejected votes, the total number of votes cast, the number of cancelled votes (if any), the specific areas where those votes were cancelled and the places where the election did not take place for any reason.

“Party representatives were allowed to make comments or raise objections after each announcement, but this was not the case in any of the video clips,” he explained.

The CPS also noted that INEC was ready to provide further clarifications, but stressed that the CCIJ's request did not contain any specific information, such as the exact polling stations or districts in question.

“The presidential election was conducted in 176,606 polling stations spread across 8,809 constituencies in 36 states and the National Capital Territory. For various reasons set out in Chapter 11 of the 2023 General Election Report, by-elections were also held in 23 states on April 16, 2023.

“As such, we need to know the state, county, constituency and polling station in order to properly assess your requests and provide the necessary information. Unfortunately, the precise information required to answer your requests was missing.

“There are no 'differences' in the number of polling stations and registered voters in the states listed. The total number of polling stations and registered voters remains as announced by the Commission,” he noted.

He called on the group to provide these details for thorough review.

“The result of an election may be annulled for certain reasons, including violence, overvoting and refusal to use the bimodal voter accreditation system as set out in current laws.

“At the same time, the Electoral Act, 2023 and the INEC Rules and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections (2022) have clarified the conditions for a return when the result of an election at certain polling stations is cancelled or declared null and void.

“You are invited to read full details on our website www.inecnigeria.org,” CPS said.

Oyekanmi added: “The results of the 2023 presidential election as 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 from alleged local government areas in Imo State do not match the details/results publicly presented by the Imo State Returning Officer at the National Collation Centre in Abuja.”