Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC),Prof. Mahmood Yakubu on Sunday formally declared open the 2023 Election Results Collation Centre and warned against the posting of election results not certified by the Commission.

While declaration open the Centre, INEC Chairman who is also the Chief Electoral Commissioner explained the procedure and ground rules for receiving results from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the final declaration of the results. “The collation centre is hereby declared open until the final announcement of the results of the 2023 presidential election,” he said.

Prof Yakubu who said accredited party agents, observers and the media must adhere strictly to the sitting arrangements already established at the Centre said results received after following the established procedures would be displayed on the giant screens provided behind him and around the Collation Centre.

Prof Yakubu also said the collation of presidential election results will be done at four levels — first at the 8,889 wards, then at the 774 local government areas, then the state collation officers for the presidential election (SCOPs) at the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory will submit the votes per candidate in Abuja.

He disclosed further that immediately the State Collation Officer arrives from his state, he would be received at the Collation Committee and brought to the stage to announce the results. Affirming that everything relating to the Collation and declaration of the result would be done openly in the Centre.

His words: “everything would be done in the open, once the Collation starts”, adding that should there be need to brief the media, it would be done at Aso Hall a hall located within the premises. This, he said would either be done by him or the National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye, Esq.

Stop Posting Fake Election Results, Police Warns Nigerians

The Nigeria Police had earlier warned Nigerians posting different results of Saturday’s election to desist from doing so, warning that it was capable of heating up the polity.

Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Olumuyiwa Adejobi in a statement issue in Abuja entitled :”Don’t heat up the polity, stop circulating fake elections results” said the police has perceived this trend as a calculated attempt to heat up the polity and possibly create post elections chaos”.

According to him: “The Police has perceived this trend as a calculated attempt to heat up the polity and possibly create post elections chaos. “We regard this as a disservice, unpatriotic, and a disinformation. The Nigeria Police hereby warns those who are spreading these alleged/fake election results to desist from such mischievous acts and wait patiently for INEC’s official results, which are authentic and tenable.

“The NPF urges Nigerians to remain calm, and go about their lawful engagements, while those who are billed to go to the polls today are requested to be orderly and law-abiding as we have re-enforced our security strategies for the smooth conclusion of the 2023 General Elections”, he stressed.