INEC Plans Review of Result Management System

Bennett   Oghifo

Following complaints by Nigerians about the poor handling of the 2023 general elections results, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it plans to review its result management system and strengthen it.

Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu stated this during a meeting in Abuja yesterday with the Collation and Returning Officers that took part in the 2023 election across the nation.

He charged them to review the activities in their respective stations with an aim to proffer strategies to improve the result management system.

Yakubu said the review and inputs on the way forward was important because of the outcry of some people and subsequent litigation after the 2023 election.

According to him, “Issues have arisen and some Nigerians have raised concerns about result management at the various levels. While some of the issues are subject to litigation and therefore subjudice, we can nevertheless discuss them broadly and most importantly share our experiences on the way forward.

“It is therefore the commission’s expectation that at this meeting, we will identify areas of strength and weakness, as well as the necessary reforms we need to introduce going forward.

“More specifically, and from your practical experience in the 2023 General Election, we would like to hear your perspectives on the processes and procedures for: Recruitment, training and posting of Collation and Returning Officers.

“Logistics for movement to and from your places of assignment; the integrity of the collation and declaration procedure, including the application of the law, regulations and guidelines for result management; The role of technology in result management; Security of Collation/Returning Officers and the collation centres; Conduct of party agents and election observers during collation; and Conduct of security personnel.