The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it followed the law in declaring the results of the 2023 presidential election at 2am on Wednesday, March 1, 2023.
INEC declared Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the 2023 presidential election with 8,794,726 votes.
The election body clarified the constitution, or electoral act does not specify a particular time for declaring election results.
Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, said the collation of results requires a detailed and meticulous process, Guardian reports.
“The constitution does not prescribe a specific time for declaring election results. We understand the concerns of the public, but we assure them that the commission followed the law and ensured the integrity of the process.”
Oyekanmi said the law requires that the 36 returning officers from across the country are to present their results in Abuja.
This is done after the returning officers have collated results from polling units to wards, and local governments in their various states.
As reported by the Nigerian Tribune, he explained that this is because the presidential election is treated as one constituency, adding that the process is time-consuming and requires patience.
The INEC spokesperson further stated that the locations of some officers also contributed to the delay as the chairman had to wait for all returning officers to present their results.
Oyekanmi noted that former INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, declared the 2015 presidential election results around 4am.
Source: www.legit.ng
