No discrepancies in 2023 Presidential election results, they are valid and authentic – INEC Boss Mahmoud insists

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Nigeria’s electoral body, The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the results of the 2023 presidential election valid and authentic, dismissing claims of discrepancies between the results on its website and those presented by returning officers at the National Collation Centre, which were broadcast live on national television.

 

INEC’s claim comes after the Centre for Collaborative Investigative Journalism (CCIJ), in a letter dated August 7 and addressed to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, alleged that in the televised announcements, INEC reported 1,578 polling units (PUs) where voting was cancelled because of irregularities.

It said no figures were given for the reason, though officials said that the total number of registered voters was about 1,205,000.

CCIJ said in the documents filed on IREV that INEC polling workers reported 2,203 polling units (PUs) where voting was cancelled because of irregularities.

“Violence was the leading reason, covering about half of the polling stations affected. The total registered voters was about 1,221,000.

“Can you explain the differences between what INEC officials were saying publicly versus the records filed by polling unit workers?” It queried among several other posers.

Responding, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, said the Commission does not announce election results on social media and that there are no discrepancies either in the number of registered voters or the presidential election results announced by the Commission.

He said;

“You listed three YouTube video links from Channels Television, showing the interactions between the State Returning Officers of Imo, Abia, and Zamfara States and the INEC Chairman at the National Collation Centre, Abuja.

“It is important to note that the Returning Officers of the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are required to present their presidential election results individually to the Chief Returning Officer of the Federation for the presidential election, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who is also the INEC Chairman.
“But contrary to your observations.