July 21, (THEWILL) – Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, on Friday, met with senior electoral officers to review the 2023 general elections.
The meeting held at the Ladi Kwali Hall of Continental Hotel, Abuja, is the third in a series of post-elections review meetings that INEC scheduled with those who played key roles in the 2023 general elections
It was attended by collation and returning officers mainly university professors, many of whom are vice-chancellors of universities across the country.
Addressing the officers, Professor Yakubu said the experience of the 2023 elections will be used as lessons to improve the collation and declaration of future elections’ results.
Yakubu assured Nigerians that the meeting to focus on the reviews of the last general election will produce a detailed report.
In a statement on the Twitter handle of INEC, Prof. Yakubu said, “The Commission is aware that, as collation and returning officers, you worked under extremely challenging circumstances by tediously and manually completing designated forms as provided by law and either moved them to the next level of collation or concluded the processes as Returning Officers.
“Many of you also have the cognate experience of result management, having served in similar capacities in at least three electoral cycles. The Commission appreciates your commitment, dedication to duty and sacrifice to the cause of our democracy.
“At the same time, issues have arisen and some Nigerians have raised concerns about result management at various levels. While some of the issues are subject to litigations and, therefore, subjudice, we can nevertheless discuss them broadly and, most importantly, share experiences on the way forward.
“It is, therefore, the Commission’s expectation that at this meeting, we will identify areas of strength and weaknesses as well as the necessary reforms that 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.
“Consistent with the Commission’s commitment, when the review engagements are exhausted, a comprehensive report will be prepared. It is, therefore, expected that you will share your field experiences candidly. We would like to hear from you and what can be done to improve this critical aspect of the electoral process.”
