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INEC: 2023 election results will be transmitted electronically
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerians that the results of the 2023 general elections will be transmitted electronically.
It clarified that it has not jettisoned electronic transmission of results for manual process.
National Commissioner (Information and Voter Education Committee), Festus Okoye, who made the clarification in a statement, yesterday, said the procedure for results transmission in next year’s polls will remain the same as obtained in the recent governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.
Okoye was reacting to a report that quoted the commission as saying collation of results during the general elections will be done manually, despite the adoption of electronic transmission of results.
The report received negative reactions from the public, including the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who accused the commission of a plot to rig.
Atiku, reacting through his spokesman, Daniel Bwala, alleged: “INEC is laying the foundation for the rigging of the 2023 elections.”
But Okoye said there would be no change in future elections, including next year’s polls.
He said the commission’s explanation of results was interpreted to mean it had jettisoned electronic transmission and reverted to the manual process.
Okoye said: “This is not correct. For clarity, the procedure for results transmission remains the same as in recent governorship elections.
“We wish to reassure Nigerians that 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 INEC’s Result Viewing (IReV) 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 for in Sections 60, 62 and 64 of the Electoral Act 2022. In line with the provision of the law, the commission, in April this year, released a detailed clarification of the procedure for transmission, collation and declaration of results, 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.”
MEANWHILE, earlier, yesterday, Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), an independent civil society election observation body, had described as ‘worrisome’, reports of the decision by INEC to manually collate the results of the elections.
Chairman of the group, Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, in a statement, had said: “TMG will like to note that this action holds grave potentials towards eroding the confidence of Nigerian voters, which has just only been recently inspired by the (Electoral) Act and its provisions, key of which is the electronic transmission process.
“It also disregards the efforts of the general public who have fought long and hard for improvements in our electoral process.”
He added: “TMG demands that the commission provides clarity on its recent pronouncement to assuage the suspicions of the electorate and rebuild their confidence to exercise their rights to vote.”
“INEC should further seek to ensure that whatever actions are taken forward in the run-up to the elections do not run in violation of the provisions of the Act.”
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday arrived in Katsina to receive the remains of the former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday at the age of 82.
Just hours before the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, heartfelt tributes have continued to pour in from beneficiaries of his many charitable deeds, with many describing him as a man who never turned his back on the needy.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, Aminu Daura, a respected community elder, recalled how Buhari consistently provided foodstuffs during Ramadan for families, friends, widows, and orphans in his hometown.
“He never made noise about it, but many homes had food on their tables during fasting period because of him,” Daura said.
Abdullahi Sani, a physically-challenged man who received a tricycle from the Buhari Foundation in 2021, was overcome with emotion while speaking to NAN.
“I can move around and feed my family today because of Baba Buhari. I pray to Allah to reward him for giving hope to people like me,” he said, in tears.
Hajiya Fatima Yahaya, another resident, remembered Buhari’s acts of kindness during festive seasons.
“Even after he left office, his aides ensured that the usual support still reached us every year. He always remember his people,” she said, referring to his distribution of Sallah rams and food items to indigent families during Eid celebrations.
Other residents of Daura also shared memories of how the late former president quietly paid school fees and medical bills for struggling families, actions rarely publicized.
“Some of us benefited from his silent interventions. He was a true father and a great figure in the society,” said Ali Saidu.
On Monday night, Imams across various mosques in Daura held special Qur’anic recitations, praying for the forgiveness of Buhari’s sins and his eternal peace.
The Chief Imam of Daura Central Mosque, Sheikh Musa Kofar Barau, described Buhari as a humble leader whose legacy of service and compassion would remain alive in the hearts of the people.
Buhari is scheduled to be buried later on Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in line with Islamic rites. The community is bracing to welcome thousands of mourners from across Nigeria and beyond.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco has extended heartfelt condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the family of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, and the entire Nigerian people following Buhari’s death.
In a message of sympathy, the Moroccan monarch described the passing of the former Nigerian leader as a “sad occurrence,” expressing deep sorrow over the loss.
King Mohammed VI hailed Buhari as “an illustrious leader who worked untiringly to serve his country’s best interests and lead his people toward further progress and prosperity.”
He added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the bereaved. I share your grief and want you to know how much I appreciated the working sessions I had with the deceased.”
Reflecting on their bilateral engagements, the king noted that his collaboration with Buhari led to the launch of promising development projects, “ushering a new era grounded in friendship and close cooperation between our two sister nations.”
Tinubu arrives Katsina to receive Buhari’s body for burial
“He Never Turned His Back on the Needy” — Tributes Pour In Ahead of Buhari’s Burial
King Mohammed VI Mourns Buhari, Praises Legacy of Nigeria’s Former Leader
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