Reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would use manual results compilation for the general elections in 2023 have been refuted.
In preparation for the 2023 election, reports claimed that INEC had abandoned electronic results transmission and switched to a manual procedure.
Festus Okoye, National Commissioner of INEC and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, issued a statement on Sunday denying the report’s veracity.
Clearing the air concerning the collation of results, the National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, noted that the electronic transmission of results remained the same.
In a statement titled, ‘Clarification On Electronic Transmission Of Election Result’, the statement read,
“The Independent National Electoral Commission’s attention has been drawn to a misunderstanding arising from a recent short interview granted to a national newspaper on the procedure for result management during elections.
“Some have interpreted the explanation on result management procedure to mean that the Commission has jettisoned the electronic transmission of result and reverted to the manual process. This is not correct.
“For clarity, the procedure for result transmission remains the same as in recent Governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States. There will be no change in all future elections, including the 2023 General Election.
“We wish to reassure Nigerians that the electronic transmission of results has come to stay.
“It adds to the credibility and transparency of the process when citizens follow polling unit level results on the INEC Result Viewing Portal in real time on Election Day.
“There will be no change or deviation in subsequent elections.
“The entire gamut of result management is provided in SectIons 60, 62 and 61 of the Electoral Act 2022.
“In line with the provision of the law, the Commission April this year released a detailed clarification of the procedure for transmission, collation and declaration of result which was shared with all stakeholders and uploaded to our website.
“We appeal to all Nigerians to avail themselves of the provisions of the Electoral Act and the Commission’s detailed explanation of the procedure and not reach a conclusion on the basis of media headlines.”
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