KPU denies any discrepancies in 2023 presidential election results

The Independent Electoral Commission (ELC) has rejected claims of discrepancies between the results of the 2023 presidential election published on its website and those made by counting officials at the National Counting Centre in Abuja.

The commission made the clarification in a letter dated August 15 and addressed to the Center for Collaborative Investigative Journalism (CCIJ).

CCIJ in its latest report said it found several discrepancies in the election results announced by INEC and the results uploaded to INEC Result Viewing (IReV).

More than 18 months after the election, Nigerians continue to find fault with the conduct of the election and the results announced by the commission.

In a letter signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the KPU Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, the KPU stated that there was no “discrepancy” in the number of polling stations and registered voters in the states listed.

The KPU insists that the total number of polling stations and registered voters remains the same as announced in the quick count.

The KPU stated that it did not announce the election results on YouTube, adding that the election results were announced in the presence of stakeholders, including the media at the National Vote Counting Center, Abuja.

The letter read: “You listed three YouTube video links from Channels Television, showing interactions between Polling Officers of Imo, Abia and Zamfara States and the INEC Chairman at the National Counting Centre, Abuja.

“It is important to note that the Polling Officers of the 36 States and the FCT are required to submit their presidential election results individually to the Chief Polling Officer of the Federation for the Presidential election, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who is also the INEC Chairman.

“But contrary to your observation, there is no contradiction in the video clip.

“In accordance with the established rules and regulations, the Election Committee in each clip announces sequentially the number of valid votes, invalid votes, the number of votes cast, invalid votes (if any), areas where votes were invalid, and areas where the election was not carried out along with the reasons.

“Party agents were then allowed to make observations or raise objections after each announcement, but none of this was conveyed in any of the video clips.”

The commission argued that the centre did not disaggregate and articulate its data on the other listed instances – Imo, Edo, Delta, Lagos, Cross River, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Abia and Zamfara States.

“For example in Edo, you provide the following data: 185 Pus, 111,683 Registered Voters (Election Document), PUs (YouTube) 54, Registered Voters (YouTube) 36,264; Difference: 131 Pus/75,419 Registered Voters.

“However, the presidential election was conducted in 176,606 PUs, spread across 8,809 Wards in 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory.

“A supplementary general election was also held in 23 states on April 5, 2023 for various reasons listed in chapter 11 of the 2023 General Election Report.

“To do this, we need to know the State, Local Government (Pemda), Sub-district, and specific polling unit that is being targeted in order to properly evaluate your question and so that we can provide the information needed.

“Unfortunately, the precise information needed to answer your question is not available,” he added.

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The post KPU rejects allegations of discrepancies in the results of the 2023 presidential election first appeared on Latest Nigerian News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria.