INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu Breaks Silence – Amidst Widely Acclaimed Scandalous 2023 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said that despite the divergent opinions about the outcome of the election, the overall outlook suggests that it is a fair reflection of a complex multi-party democracy.

VerseNews Nigeria reports the Commission’s chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said this in a meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) at INEC Headquarters Abuja on the purpose is to reflect on the just concluded 2023 General Election.

Speaking on the overall view of the election, Yakuku said; “Following the conclusion of the election, the time has come for introspection, stop taking, review, and evaluation.

“Since the conclusion of the election, diverse opinions have been expressed by political parties, candidates, observers, analysts, and the general public on aspects of the elections that took place in February and March.”

“Such diverse opinions should normally be expected, and the Commission welcomes all of them insofar as their purpose is to improve the future conduct of elections and to consolidate our democracy.”

“The Commission has consciously not joined in these commentaries in the immediate aftermath of the election for several reasons. First, our preference is to listen more  and draw lessons rather than join in the heated and often emotive discussion on the election.

“Second, since we plan to conduct our own review of the election, we see no need to preempt the process. Third, the Commission would not want to be seen as defensive or justificatory in joining the ongoing discussions.”

“Finally, and perhaps most importantly, several issues around the election are subsidies, and it is not the intention of the Commission to either undermine or promote the chances of litigants in the various election petition courts beyond what is required of us by the legal process.

“Indeed, practically anything coming from the Commission could be cited by litigants as either justifying their claims or an indication of bias against them.”

“The foregoing notwithstanding, it is appropriate at this point to make a few broad remarks about the 2023 general election as we commence our review of the same election. In doing this, it is necessary  to look at the entire process before, during, and after the election to make an informed assessment.”

“Granted, that events on Election Day are probably the most important in terms of optics of elections, it is also very essential to look at the totality of the process. This is necessary if we are to learn  the full lessons of the election going forward. Compared to my previous elections, we believe that the 2023 general election was one of the most meticulously prepared for in recent times.”

“Learning from previous experiences, we started preparations immediately after the 2019 general election, carefully ticking the necessary boxes over a four-year period. It is the need to learn from both the positives and the shortcomings that makes the stock  ticking that we are embarking upon today very essential. Among the positive stories is that the security challenge was threatened to drill the elections did not materialize.”

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Speaking on the performance of the Bimodal Votter Accreditation System (BVAS), the INEC Boss said; “Concerns that the polls will be disrupted by the perennial insecurity across the country fizzled out on election day, as the elections were largely peaceful.  Despite currency and fall challenges and widespread attacks on our personnel and facilities nationwide, the Commission proceeded with the election as scheduled.”

“The first set of elections, the Presidential and National Assembly, held as planned for the first time in the last four general elections conducted in the country. Accreditation using the bimodal voter accreditation system, the BVAS, has generally been scored  very high by voters.

“Our records show that the success rate of the BVAS accreditation stands at 98% compared to the SMART card reader’s 29.2% during the 2019 general election. Above all, despite the divergent opinions about the outcome of the election, the overall outlook suggests that it is fair reflection of a complex multi-party democracy.

“We are presently looking at all the evidence of infractions during the election, including the prosecution of electoral offenders. We are looking at the activities of all actors involved in the election, including some of our high-ranking officials.”

“I can confirm that the Nigeria Police concluded its investigation of the conduct of our resident Electoral Commissioner in Adamama State and submitted the case file to us. Appropriate action will be taken in a matter of days and Nigerians will be fully informed.”

“I can also confirm that we have received 215 case files from the Nigeria Police following their arrest and the conclusion of investigation into electoral offenses arising from the 2023  general election. We are working with the Nigerian Bar Association, the MBA, to prosecute the alleged offenders.”

“Already, the Bar Association has submitted a list of 427 lawyers across the country who have volunteered to render pro bono services to the Commission. There are no charging legal fees, but by mutual agreement, the Commission will provide a token amount to cover for filing fees.”

Yakubu further said that the Commission is working with the Nigeria Police force to prosecute electoral offenders during the general elction.

He noted that a total of 215 case files from the Nigeria Police is currently undergoing investigation and that appropriate actions will be taken at the end of the investigation.

Yakubu continues: “We are presently looking at all the evidence of infractions during the election, including the prosecution of electoral offenders. We are looking at the activities of all actors involved in the election, including some of our high-ranking officials.

“I can confirm that the Nigeria Police concluded its investigation of the conduct of  our resident Electoral Commissioner in Adamama State and submitted the case file to us. Appropriate action will be taken in a matter of days and Nigerians will be fully informed.

“I can also confirm that we have received 215 case files from the Nigeria Police following their arrest and the conclusion of investigation into electoral offenses arising from the 2023  general election. We are working with the Nigerian Bar Association, the MBA, to prosecute the alleged offenders.”

“Already, the Bar Association has submitted a list of 427 lawyers across the country who have volunteered to render pro bono services to the Commission. There are no charging legal fees, but by mutual agreement, the Commission will provide a token amount  to cover for filing fees.”