Yiaga Africa Watching The Vote has told the Independent National Electoral Commision (INEC) that the delay in uploading the results undermines public confidence in the transmission process as it deviates from the guidelines
for the elections and it failed to meet citizens’ expectations.
The Chairman, Watching The Vote , Dr Dr. Hussaini Abdu, and Executive Director Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, while briefing newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, said logistical shortfalls by INEC caused confusion and unacceptable delays in polling units opening – most notably in Southeast and South-South
geopolitical zones.
He said INEC uploaded only 25,503 results for the Presidential elections on the INEC portal.
They said the failure of the IReV system, intended to enhance transparency could potentially impugn the integrity of the elections.
“As noted in the mid-day statement of February 25, party agents were sighted across most of the polling units with Yiaga Africa observers.
“During counting All Progressives Congress (APC) party, agents were sighted at 97% of polling units, Labour Party (LP) polling agents were sighted at 67% of polling units, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) polling agents were sighted at 51% of polling units, and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at 99% of polling units,” they said.
They called on INEC be transparent and communicate the challenges faced during the deployment of the IReV.
They called on INEC and security to ensure proper security for citizens, especially the polling and collation officials especially as results collation progresses and as INEC commences the announcement of results to ensure that no life is further lost.
