Why We Didn’t Comment On The 2023 Elections – INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained why it did not comment on the results of the general elections in 2023.
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of INEC, spoke at a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja on Tuesday.
“Following the election, the time has come for introspection, stocktaking, review, and evaluation,” he stated.
“Since the election, various opinions have been expressed by political parties, candidates, observers, analysts, and the general public on various aspects of the February and March elections.”
Such a range of viewpoints is to be expected, and the commission welcomes them all as long as their goal is to enhance future election administration and strengthen our democracy,” he said.
The INEC chairman stated that the commission purposefully avoided participating in post-election commentary for numerous reasons.
“First and foremost, we prefer to listen more and draw lessons rather than participate in the heated and frequently emotional public debate on the election,” he stated. Second, we see no reason to pre-empt the process since we intend to undertake our own evaluation of the election. Third, the commission does not want to appear defensive or justifying its participation in the present debates.
“Finally, and perhaps most importantly, several issues surrounding the election are under consideration, and the Commission has no intention of undermining or promoting the chances of litigants in the various election petition courts beyond what is required of us by the legal process.”
Yakubu stated that virtually anything emanating from the panel might be used by litigants to either defend or refute their allegations.