#NigeriaDecides2023: 'We will expose irregularities if INEC election results are manipulated' — Yiaga
Yiaga Africa, a non-profit think tank promoting democracy and good governance, has pledged to expose the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) if the agency is found guilty of election manipulation and irregularities .
The organization said this on Sunday during a press conference held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja to disclose the findings of its observations on the presidential and national elections that took place on Saturday.
>In an official journal of the think tank, Huseini Abdu, the chairman of WatchingTheVotes, the society's election observation team, said there were reports of election manipulation caused by the bad operation of electoral tools such as BVAS, ballot snatching and rogue.
The organization said it had "deployed 3,836 observers nationwide, including 3,014 Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) observers who deployed early in the morning in pairs in a random representative statistical sample of 1,507 polling stations where they remained all day".
Mr. Abdu reiterated that the field observations of the Election Analysis Team are reliable enough to dispute any uncorrelated reports and results of the voting units by the INEC.
“At this time, Yiaga Africa is able to provide statistically accurate preliminary data on the conduct of the election as of February 25, 2023 – from the opening of polling stations to accreditation, voting and to the counting until the posting of the results - in addition.” Mr. Abdu said while reading the statement "
READ ALSO:He also said, "We have independent projections of the vote shares each candidate is expected to receive based on the ballots cast at the polls. If the INEC results fall within the estimated ranges of Yiaga Africa, then the public, political parties and candidates should have confidence that the official results reflect the ballots cast at the polling stations.However, if the official results are manipulated at any point in the process, we may expose them."
The organization however acknowledged that INEC had the legal mandate to announce the results of the elections.
“As soon as INEC announces the official results, Yiaga Africa will call a press conference to share its own statement on the accuracy of the election results and release these projections,” the group said.
He also urged all Nigerians to be patient as the electoral process is not yet complete. He encouraged Nigerians to remain peaceful while waiting for the official results to be announced by INEC and to refrain from any action that might incite violence.
“Political leaders should urge their supporters, in particular, to calmly await official results and take appropriate action against any party member who engages in violence or incites violence,” said Mr Abdu.
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Yiaga Africa, a non-profit think tank promoting democracy and good governance, has pledged to expose the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) if the agency is found guilty of election manipulation and irregularities .
The organization said this on Sunday during a press conference held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja to disclose the findings of its observations on the presidential and national elections that took place on Saturday.
>In an official journal of the think tank, Huseini Abdu, the chairman of WatchingTheVotes, the society's election observation team, said there were reports of election manipulation caused by the bad operation of electoral tools such as BVAS, ballot snatching and rogue.
The organization said it had "deployed 3,836 observers nationwide, including 3,014 Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) observers who deployed early in the morning in pairs in a random representative statistical sample of 1,507 polling stations where they remained all day".
Mr. Abdu reiterated that the field observations of the Election Analysis Team are reliable enough to dispute any uncorrelated reports and results of the voting units by the INEC.
“At this time, Yiaga Africa is able to provide statistically accurate preliminary data on the conduct of the election as of February 25, 2023 – from the opening of polling stations to accreditation, voting and to the counting until the posting of the results - in addition.” Mr. Abdu said while reading the statement "
READ ALSO:He also said, "We have independent projections of the vote shares each candidate is expected to receive based on the ballots cast at the polls. If the INEC results fall within the estimated ranges of Yiaga Africa, then the public, political parties and candidates should have confidence that the official results reflect the ballots cast at the polling stations.However, if the official results are manipulated at any point in the process, we may expose them."
The organization however acknowledged that INEC had the legal mandate to announce the results of the elections.
“As soon as INEC announces the official results, Yiaga Africa will call a press conference to share its own statement on the accuracy of the election results and release these projections,” the group said.
He also urged all Nigerians to be patient as the electoral process is not yet complete. He encouraged Nigerians to remain peaceful while waiting for the official results to be announced by INEC and to refrain from any action that might incite violence.
“Political leaders should urge their supporters, in particular, to calmly await official results and take appropriate action against any party member who engages in violence or incites violence,” said Mr Abdu.
Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy and a transparent government. For free and continued access to the best investigative journalism in the country, we ask that you consider providing modest support to this noble endeavour. By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you help sustain relevant journalism and keep it free and accessible to everyone.Donate
TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT: Call Willie - +2348098788999
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