The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will begin tabulating the results of the presidential and legislative elections of 2023 on Sunday at noon.
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of INEC, made the announcement Saturday during a news conference in Abuja on the general elections of 2023.
Yakubu stated that the commission expected results from the states beginning on Sunday.
“I would like to invite you to the official launch of the National Innovation Centre for the 2023 general elections on Sunday at noon.
“We hope to receive some state-level election results, notably for the presidential election, by tomorrow.
“Thus, the presidential election tabulation center will open tomorrow at noon,” Yakubu added.
He stated that it will not be necessary for him to address Nigerians before Sunday (Feb. 26), unless there is an emergency.
Elections for the President and the National Assembly were held nationally on Saturday, but they were marred by violence in many regions.
The incident resulted in fatalities and widespread disruption of the voting process.
Due to violence, the Independent National Electoral Commission postponed polls in several districts until today (Sunday).
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), reported to press in Abuja that certain BVAS devices were stolen from electoral authorities.
Yakubu stated that the delay in some regions was caused by instability in some states.
The INEC chairman stated that polling places in the states of Niger, Delta, and Katsina were stormed by thugs and that eight BVAS machines were stolen; however, three of the BVAS devices were later recovered.
He stated, “Another factor contributing to the late opening of polling stations is the country’s pervasive insecurity.” For example, we were unable to deploy to Alawa in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State in time.
“Bandits began an attack in the region, though not necessarily on INEC offices or facilities. On the recommendation of the security agencies, we waited a little before deploying to Alawa, but I am pleased to report that voting is currently taking place there.
“Similarly, in the Oshimili LGA of Delta State, thugs stormed a polling location, resulting in the loss of two BVAS machines. Nonetheless, resolute that the election must proceed, we were able to replace the stolen BVAS equipment, bolster security agencies, and conduct voting within that polling location.
“Similarly, in the Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State, criminals invaded one of our polling places and stole six BVAS machines. Nonetheless, we were able to recover and utilize the spare BVAS machines and bolster security in order to continue voting at that location. The BVAS devices have been retrieved, but three are still in the hands of the criminals.”
Yakubu observed that the BVAS was the focus of these thugs’ attacks.
At the voting station on Dipolubi Street in the Surulere neighborhood of Lagos, Efidi Bina Jennifer was allegedly wounded by thugs belonging to a political party. But, she returned to vote after receiving first aid and wearing a thick bandage and dripping with blood on her face.
Ruth Osah, a pregnant mother, and Mark Orduize, a member of a local security company, were allegedly murdered at a voting station in the Ubimini community, Emuoha Local Government Area, Rivers State.
The Public Relations Officer of the Taraba State Police Command, DSP Usman Abdullahi, confirmed the death of a single person early on Saturday.
Abdullahi informed reporters that during a patrol to enforce the mobility restriction, police flagged down a biker who refused to stop and shot him as a result.
Two voters in the Oniong West Ward I of the Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State received machete wounds before a Bi-Modal Voter Accreditation Machine System machine for units 11 and 12 was stolen by thugs believed to be members of a political party.
At the Oredo Ward 4 Unit 42 on Butcher Street in Benin, Edo State, thugs stole ballot boxes and voting materials and chased away the polling officials, who took refuge in a house on Lagos Street.
Violence and voter harassment marred the election in the state of Kogi. According to one of our correspondents who followed the elections in portions of the state, the violence also claimed lives in other locations.
Voting was disrupted at the GSS polling unit in Ofoni, Sagbama Local Government Area, the hometown of Bayelsa State Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, as a result of gunfire fired by some enraged youths.
In the Gwagwalada neighborhood of Dagiri, suspected political thugs smashed 24 vote boxes in eight polling units, causing palpable anxiety.
Saturday, the Gombe State Police Commissioner, Oqua Etim, confirmed the attack on INEC ad hoc employees at Tudun Wada Elementary School on Friday night. Before the polls, the school where the ad hoc workers consisting of corps members and other participants were camping had been overrun by suspected thugs.
As thugs invaded the INEC office in Umulokpa, the capital of the Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu, gunfire was recorded. The criminals reportedly engaged security agents in a violent brawl as they sought to steal election result sheets from all polling places inside the municipal area.
On Saturday, political thugs stormed a portion of Osun State.
On Saturday, gunmen infiltrated a polling station in Ayegbami, Ikenne Local Government Area, Ogun State, smashed a ballot box, and interrupted voting in the region.
Political thugs attacked Economic and Financial Crimes Commission agents who were on duty monitoring elections near the chief’s palace in the Bwari Area Council of the FCT. The violence occurred after the arrest of a guy suspected of orchestrating a vote-buying scheme at the polling station located at THE Science Primary School, Bwari.