The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has broken its silence on the timing of the result declaration in the early hours of March 1, 2023.
Recall that there were concerns and criticisms from some Nigerians over the announcement of President Bola Tinubu’s victory by 2 am in March 2023.
However, several months after, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has clarified that the country is treated as a single constituency during presidential elections, requiring a detailed and meticulous process of collating results from polling units to wards, local governments, states, and the national level.
This process, he explained, involves waiting for 36 returning officers from across the country to present their results in Abuja as required by law.
Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, further clarified that the constitution or electoral act does not specify a particular time for declaring election results.
He stated, “In a presidential election, the country is treated as one constituency. Results are declared at polling units, then collated at the ward, local government, and state levels before being presented in Abuja to the Chief Electoral Commissioner. This process is time-consuming and requires patience and understanding from the public.”
Oyekanmi noted that the Chairman had to wait for all returning officers to present their results, a process that took time due to the distant locations of some officers.
He added, “The electoral act requires that results be brought and the returning officers be interviewed. The chairman questions the returning officers and, if unsatisfied, sends them back. This process ensures the accuracy and integrity of the results.”
The INEC spokesperson said that the delay led to claims that the commission declared results in the middle of the night, but pointed out that even in the 2015 presidential election, results were declared around 4am by former INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega.
“The constitution does not prescribe a specific time for declaring election results. We understand the concerns of the public, but we assure them that the commission followed the law and ensured the integrity of the process,” he said.