The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has taken steps to ensure that the challenges experienced in uploading results for the February 25, 2023, presidential and national assembly elections do not occur in the coming March 11, 2023, governorship and state assembly polls.
INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, during his meeting on Saturday in Abuja with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) said, “a lot of lessons have been learnt” from the shortcomings of the February 25, 2023, presidential and national assembly elections especially as regards the upload of results from the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) at the polling units to the Commission’s public result viewing portal (IReV) as stipulated in its 2022 election guidelines and regulations.
The INEC boss said, “Since last week, the Commission has intensified the review of the technology to ensure that glitches experienced, particularly with the upload of results are rectified. We are confident that going forward the system will run optimally.
“No doubt, last week’s national elections raised a number of issues that require immediate, medium, and long-term solutions. The planning for the election was painstakingly done. However, its implementation came with challenges, some of them unforeseen. The issues of logistics, election technology, behaviour of some election personnel at different levels, attitude of some party agents and supporters added to the extremely challenging environment in which elections are usually held in Nigeria.
“As we approach the Governorship and State Assembly elections, we must work harder to overcome the challenges experienced in the last election. Nothing else will be acceptable to Nigerians. All staff found to be negligent, whether they are regular or ad hoc officials, including Collation and Returning Officers, must not be involved in forthcoming elections. RECs must also immediately initiate disciplinary action where prima facie evidence of wrongdoing has been established.
“Arising from last week’s election, the Commission has received reports from our State offices as well as complaints and petitions from political parties and candidates. Where infractions of any kind are proven, there will be redress. I must add that any action taken by the Commission is without prejudice to the rights of parties and candidates to seek further remedy as provided by law.
“On Election Day technology, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) will once again be deployed for voter accreditation and result management. The deployment of BVAS has gone a long way to sanitise voter accreditation as can be seen from the result of recent elections. Since last week, the Commission has intensified the review of the technology to ensure that glitches experienced, particularly with the upload of results are rectified. We are confident that going forward the system will run optimally.”
