By Arowoogun Abiola
INEC’S REVIEW OF 2023 ELECTION IS WRONG - PRP
The representative of the Peoples Representative Party at the ongoing review of the 2023 general elections as organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has described the exercise as being a wrong exercise.
It will be recalled that the INEC chief, Mahmud Yakub recently addressed Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and also at another time met with Resident Electoral Commissioners(RECs) on the Commission’s plan to review the 2023 general elections and publish the outcome.
It will also be recalled that high level of criticism trail the conduct and outcome of the last general election, the reason the outcome is being contested in the ongoing Presidential Tribunal. The INEC chief however declared that though,there are some hitches, the election is one of the freest and the best held general election in the country in the recent time.
“INEC believed the election was one of the most meticulously prepared for in recent times when compared to some previous elections.
“Among the positive stories is that the security challenge which threatened to derail the elections did not materialise.
“Concerns that the polls will be disrupted by the perennial insecurity across the country fizzled out on Election Day as the elections were largely peaceful.
“Despite currency and fuel challenges and widespread attacks on our personnel and facilities nationwide, the Commission proceeded with the election as scheduled,’’ he said.
However, despite the positive parts highlighted by the INEC Chief, he admitted there were some hitches. Therefore, he said it was necessary that the review of the whole process be done and the outcome published, hence, the Post election review exercise.
“Notwithstanding the foregoing, it was necessary for INEC to look at the entire process before, during and after the election to make an informed assessment, learn full lessons from the election, going forward.
This to allow the commission to “address the challenges as we prepare for future elections that the Commission is commencing its post-election review engagements today,’’ he explained.
Therefore, the commission had invited all stakeholders for the review, especially, all political parties that participated in the said general election.
However, after the review session that held on Wednesday 26th July, 2023, the representative of the Peoples Redemption Party declared the INEC’s review is wrong since the outcome and process of the same election is a subject of litigation in the tribunal