It is no longer news that President Bola Tinubu was announced the sixteenth President of Nigeria following the 2023 presidential election. However, this victory did not go uncontested, as the Labour Party and the People’s Democratic Party challenged the election’s outcome in court. Despite the closure of their cases at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, there are lingering doubts among some supporters of these opposition parties. They question the statement issued by the electoral commission, which explained the failure to upload the presidential election results to the Result Viewing Portal (IReV). As the nation awaits the tribunal’s verdict, Yakubu Mahmoud, the electoral chairman, reiterates that the commission stands by the explanation given on February 26th regarding the matter.
Yakubu Mahmoud also addressed the overall credibility of the 2023 general elections. He praised the successful implementation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) but acknowledged that a glitch had occurred during the uploading of the presidential election results. According to him, the electoral commission made efforts to ensure inclusivity by collecting and publishing data on voter distribution based on age, occupation, and disability. The commission even provided materials such as braille jackets and magnifying glasses for voters with disabilities, as far as available resources allowed.
However, the election process was not without challenges. The country faced severe cash and fuel shortages, exacerbated by widespread insecurity. These factors significantly impacted the deployment plans of the commission. Furthermore, some of their officials’ behavior in the field added to the complexity of logistics management. On top of that, political actors deploying thugs made the administration of election day particularly difficult in several areas.
While the BVAS successfully facilitated voter accreditation, the glitch encountered during the uploading of results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), especially for the presidential election, posed an additional hurdle. This statement mirrors the one released by the Commission on February 26th, 2023.
As the nation waits for the tribunal’s decision, the aftermath of the 2023 presidential election continues to be a topic of discussion, with stakeholders and citizens alike closely monitoring the situation. The electoral commission’s efforts to address challenges and promote inclusivity are recognized, but concerns persist regarding the IReV glitch and its potential implications on the election’s credibility. The tribunal’s ruling will determine the final outcome and shape the course of Nigeria’s political landscape in the coming years.
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Source: Sahara Reporters
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