The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a detailed 526-page report on the 2023 general election, reaffirming its commitment to transparency and accountability in the electoral process. The report, unveiled by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, highlights the election’s fairness and reflects the aspirations of Nigerians.
Olumekun emphasized the unprecedented diversity in party representation witnessed during the election, showcasing significant democratic progress. However, the commission acknowledged shortcomings, particularly the failure to upload polling unit results for the presidential election to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal in real-time, impacting public perception.
Despite challenges such as attacks on INEC facilities, currency swaps by the Central Bank of Nigeria, and logistical constraints, INEC maintained that the election upheld democratic principles and featured innovative technologies, enhancing voter experience. Notably, the poll adhered to the electoral timetable, introduced new clauses in the Electoral Act, and expanded voter access to polling units nationwide.
The report underscores INEC’s efforts to address logistical challenges and ensure electoral integrity, with meticulous preparations involving over one million election duty officials and deployment of extensive logistic resources, including vehicles and boats.
Furthermore, the election witnessed voter-friendly initiatives, such as the conversion of Voting Points into full-fledged Polling Units and relocation of polling units for improved accessibility. Despite initial hiccups, the election outcome was deemed a true reflection of the electorate’s wishes, supported by stringent checks and transparency measures throughout the electoral process.
Overall, the 2023 general election marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s electoral history, characterized by meticulous planning, enhanced transparency, and expanded voter participation, despite logistical and operational challenges encountered along the way.
