As part of its ongoing review of the activities that happened during the 2023 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has met with the Collation and Returning Officers that participated in the Presidential and governorship elections to get their practical experience.
Speaking at the opening section of the post election review engagement meeting in Abuja, INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu noted that the exercise is aimed at identifying areas of strength and weaknesses as well as the necessary reforms that need to be introduced going forward.
He therefore outlined areas the commission wants to hear from the participants to include, recruitment, training and posting of Collation and Returning Officers among others.
“Many of you also have the cognate experience of result management, having served in similar capacities in at least three electoral cycles.
“The Commission appreciates your commitment, dedication to duty and sacrifice to the cause of our democracy.
“At the same time, issues have arisen and some Nigerians have raised concerns about result management at various levels.
“While some of the issues are subject of litigations and therefore subjudice, we can nevertheless discuss them broadly and most importantly share experience on the way forward.
“It is, therefore, the commission’s expectation that at this meeting, we will identify areas of strength and weaknesses as well as the necessary reforms that we need to introduce going forward,” Yakubu said.
He added that more specifically, INEC would want to hear their perspectives on the processes and procedures for recruitment, training and posting of collation and returning officers; logistics for movement to and from their places of assignment.
Speaking in an interview with newsmen, the Vice Chancellor, of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof. Kabir Bala, who served as the State Retuning officer for Sokoto State, believed that the review would improve the future elections in the country.
Bala said that the review would help look at the hiccups that happened during the polls and the possible solutions.
He however said that for Nigeria to have better elections there must be a change of attitude by Nigerians as politicians and electorates.
Bala said that the politicians needed to change their attitude of “I must win at all costs” and those elected should be patriotic to serve, while the electorate must satisfy their conscience by voting for the best candidate in any election.
INEC has assured that after the stakeholders engagement on the post election review, there will be a comprehensive report that will improve critical aspects of the nation’s electoral process.
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