The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Mahmood Yakubu has on Friday met with 37 State Collation Officers who also doubled as Returning Officers for the 28 Governorship elections and for the Presidential Election (SCOPEs).
The INEC boss said the meeting with important category of election officials i.e. the Collation Officers was as a result of issues arisen and some Nigerians have raised concerns about result management at various levels. While some of the issues are subject of litigations and therefore sub judice, to discuss these issues broadly and most importantly share experience on the way forward and to identify areas of strength and weaknesses as well as the necessary reforms that is needed to introduce going forward.
He said more specifically, and from their practical experience in the 2023 General Election, the Commission would like to hear their perspectives on the processes and procedures for: Recruitment, training and posting of Collation and Returning Officers; Logistics for movement to and from your places of assignment; The integrity of the collation and declaration procedure, including the application of the law, regulations and guidelines for result management.
"The role of technology in result management; Security of Collation/Returning Officers and the collation centres; Conduct of party agents and election observers during collation; Conduct of security personnel; and, any other lessons that will improve the future collation and declaration of results."
The INEC boss said, consistent with the Commission’s commitment, when the review engagements are exhausted, a comprehensive report will be prepared. It is therefore expected that you will share your field experiences candidly. We would like to hear from you and what can be done to improve this critical aspect of the electoral process.
Earlier in her opening remarks, Chairman, Planning, monitoring and Strategic Committee (PMSC/PERC) Professor Rhoda Gumus the Commission’s policy to organize post-election reviews after successful conduct and conclusion of any election and the 2023 General election cannot be an exception. We are here to undertake a comprehensive review on issues and challenges and to learn critical lessons in planning for future Elections.
The State Collation Officers for Presidential Elections (SCOPEs) and Senatorial District Collation officers (SDROs) are key players in conducting elections in Nigeria. The Commission employ these category of personnel; lecturers and Vice Chancellors from the Federal Universities, that has honesty and integrity to carry out this function, on election day. As part of field personnel on election day, you deal directly with both INEC staff and political gladiators; mostly in a violence atmosphere.