REPORT OF THE

2023 GENERAL
ELECTION
www.inecnigeria.org
REPORT OF THE
2023 GENERAL
ELECTION
© Independent National Electoral Commission

REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted,

transcribed, stored in a retrieval system or translated in any language or
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permission of the copyright owner.

First published February 2024

Published by

Independent National Electoral Commission

Plot 436 Zambezi Crescent
Maitama District
Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
Abuja, Nigeria

ISBN 13-978-55464-8-4

0700-CALL-INEC (0700-2255-4632)
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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Table of Contents

Table of Contents ix
List of Tables xvii
List of Boxes xx
List of Figures and Illustrations xxi
List of Annexures xxii
Abbreviations and Acronyms xxiii
Foreword xxx
Acknowledgments xxxii
Executive Summary xxxiv

CHAPTER ONE 01
1. Introduction 2
1.1. Inauguration of the Commission 4
1.2. The New Commission: Vision, Challenges and Opportunities 7

CHAPTER TWO 9
Background to the 2023 General Election 9
2.1 Debriefing and Process Reviews of the 2019 General Election 10
2.2 Review of the 2017 – 2021 Strategic Plan (SP), Strategic Plan of Action (SPA)
and Formulation of the 2022 – 2026 Strategic Plan (SP) and Strategic Plan
Implementation Programme (SPIP) 14
2.2.1 Electoral Legal Framework 14
2.2.2 Operational Challenges 16
2.2.3 Human Capital and Organisational Challenges 18
2.2.4 Funding and Financing Electoral Activities 19
2.2.5 Communication 20
2.2.6 Lessons Learnt from the Review of the 2017 - 2021 Strategic Plan (SP)
and Strategic Plan of Action (SPA) 21
2.3 Review of the 2019 and the Formulation of the 2023 Election Project Plans (EPP) 22

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CHAPTER THREE 25
Pre-2023 General Election Activities 25
3.1 Conduct of Off-Season Elections and Lessons Learnt 26
3.2 Expansion of Voter Access to Polling Units 28
3.3 Voter Migration / De-congestion of Overcrowded Polling Units 30
3.4 Deployment of New Technologies in the Electoral Process 33
3.4.1 Portals 33
3.4.2 IVED/BVAS 34
3.4.3 IReV 34
3.4.4 Geolocation of Polling Units 36
3.4.5 Mock Accreditation 37

CHAPTER FOUR 38
Planning for the 2023 General Election 38
4.1 The Legal Framework: The Electoral Act 2022 and the Electoral Process 39
4.1.1 The 2010 Legal Framework 39
4.1.2 Overview of the Electoral Act 2022 40
4.1.3 Implications of the Key Provisions for the Management and Conduct of Elections 41
4.2 Formulation & Implementation of the 2022 – 2026 Strategic Plan (SP)
and Strategic Plan Implementation Programme (SPIP) 42
4.2.1 Background and Objectives of the 2022-2026 Strategic Plan 44
4.2.2 Monitoring and Evaluating Progress of the Plan 47
4.2.3 Implementation of the 2023 Election Project Plan (EPP) and Integration of
Key Tools into the Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC) 47
4.2.3.1 Development and Structure of the 2023 Election Project Plan (EPP) 50
4.2.3.2 Objectives of the 2023 Election Project Plan 51
4.3 Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election 52
4.4 Review of the 2019 Regulations, Guidelines and Manuals 56
4.4.1 Review of the 2019 Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 56
4.4.2 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties and Election Observation 56
4.5.3 Inclusivity Measures: IDP Policy, Gender Policy, Deployment of Assistive
Voting Devices, Voting Rights for Prison Inmates, and Diaspora Voting 58

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CHAPTER FIVE 62
5 Training and Capacity Building for the 2023 General Election 62
5.1 Staff Training and Development for the 2023 General Election 63
5.1.1 The Training Regular Commission Staff 63
5.1.2 Training of Other Categories of Election Personnel: SPOs, POs & Party Agents 64
5.1.3 Training of Collation and Returning Officers 67
5.1.4 Training of Political Party Agents 69
5.2 EMSC/EPP Implementers' Workshops 69
5.3 Nationwide Implementers’ Training Workshops for the EMSC/EPP 70
5.4 Nationwide Training for Operations, VEP, EPM, ICT/VR, Legal and ADR Officers 72
5.5 Nationwide Security Training for Staff and Security Personnel 72
5.6 Development and Deployment of Online Training Resources and Platforms 74
5.7 Challenges Faced in the Implementation of the 2023 General Election
Training Activities 75
5.8 Election Violence Mitigation and Advocacy Tool & Election Security
Threat Assessment (EVMAT & ESTA) 75
5.8.1 Election Violence Mitigation and Advocacy Tool 76
5.8.2 Election Security Threat Assessment (ESTA) 76

CHAPTER SIX 78
6. Stakeholder Engagements for the 2023 General Election 78
6.1 Political Parties 79
6.2 Security Agencies (ICCES) 81
6.3 The Judiciary 83
6.4 Civic Associations 84
6.5 Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government (MDAs) 85
6.6 International Development Partners 85

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CHAPTER SEVEN 87
7. Voter Education, Public Enlightenment and Media Relations 87
7.1 Defining the Commission’s Narrative on Elections 88
7.1.1 Review of the Communications Policy 88
7.2 Implementation of the 2019 Revised Edition of the Communications Policy 88
7.3 Voter Education and Enlightenment Campaign: Implementation Meetings 89
7.3.1 Training of Heads of VEP and Public Affairs Officers in Collaboration with CDD 89
7.3.2 Capacity Training for Voter Education Officers 90
7.3.3 Capacity Building for Voter Education Providers 90
7.3.4 Design and Production of Voter Education Materials 91
7.3.5 Audio and Video Jingles 91
7.3.6 Radio, Television, Social Media Engagements and Digital/Strategic
Communication Teams 91
7.3.7 Youth Votes Count Outreach and Outdoor Display of Election Messages,
Road Shows and Carnivals 92
7.3.8 Dissemination of Information by Bulk SMS 92
7.4 Engagements with the Media 93
7.4.1 Strategic Meetings with Media Executives, Online Publishers, and Line Editors 93
7.4.2 Capacity Development for INEC Press Corps Members 93
7.4.3 The Creation of INEC TV Online 94
7.4.4 Workshops and Training for Journalists on Conflict Reporting 94
7.4.5 Advertisements in the Media 94
7.4.6 Media Accreditation for the 2023 General Election 94
7.4.7 INEC Citizens Contact Centre 95
7.4.8 Engagements Via Communication Channels 96
7.4.9 Social Media Analysis (23rd – 28th February 2023 and 15th – 18th March 2023) 96
7.4.10 Media Monitoring Centre: Challenges of Misinformation, Disinformation
and Fake News 96
7.4.11 Engagements with Electoral Stakeholders 96

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CHAPTER EIGHT 98
8. Key Activities Towards the 2023 General Election 98
8.1 Funding the 2023 General Election 99
8.2 Registration and De-Registration of Political Parties 104
8.3 Continuous Voter Registration 107
8.4 Production, Delivery and Collection of Permanent Voters' Cards (PVCs) 116
8.5 Party Primaries and the Submission of the List of Candidates 119
8.6 Party Campaigns 121
8.7 Recruitment and Training of Ad-Hoc Electoral Staff 122
8.8 Procurement Process 125
8.9 Logistics and Delivery of Election Materials 129
8.10 Accreditation of Election Observers, Media, and Polling Agents 133
8.11 Issues and Challenges 139

CHAPTER NINE 142

9. Conduct of the Presidential and National Assembly Elections, 25th of February 2023 142
9.1 Operation of the National Situation Room and Collation Centre 147
9.2 Operation of the Election Monitoring and Support Centre 148
9.3 Opening of Polls 150
9.4 Voting Process and Performance of Equipment 153
9.5 Counting, Collation and the Declaration of Results 157
9.6 Uploading of Presidential Election Result 160

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CHAPTER TEN 166

10. Conduct of the Governorship and State Constituency Elections,
18th March 2023 166
10.1 Operation of the National Situation Room 167
10.2 Operation of the Election Monitoring and Support Centre 170
10.3 Opening of Polls 173
10.4 Voting Process and Performance of Equipment 174
10.5 Counting, Collation and Declaration of Result Process 174
10.6 Issues and Challenges 174

CHAPTER ELEVEN 177

11. Conduct of Supplementary Elections: 15th April 2023 177
11.1 Reasons for the Supplementary Elections 178
11.2 Deployment of Personnel and Materials 182
11.3 Opening of Polls 182
11.4 Voting Process and Performance of Equipment 182
11.5 Counting, Collation and Declaration of Results Processes 182
11.6 Issues and Challenges 182

CHAPTER TWELVE 183

12. Reports from the State and FCT Offices 183
12.1 Introduction 184

12.2 North-Central Zone 185

12.2.1 Benue State 186
12.2.2 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) 197
12.2.3 Kogi State 203
12.2.4 Kwara State 209

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12.2.5 Nasarawa State 215

12.2.6 Niger State 219
12.2.7 Plateau State 226

12.3 North-East Zone 234

12.3.1 Adamawa State 235
12.3.2 Bauchi State 241
12.3.3 Borno State 246
12.3.4 Gombe State 249
12.3.5 Taraba State 257
12.3.6 Yobe State 263

12.4 North-West Zone 269

12.4.1 Jigawa State 270
12.4.2 Kaduna State 274
12.4.3 Kano State 281
12.4.4 Katsina State 288
12.4.5 Kebbi State 294
12.4.6 Sokoto State 300
12.4.7 Zamfara State 307

12.5 South-East Zone 313

12.5.1 Abia State 314
12.5.2 Anambra State 317
12.5.3 Ebonyi State 322
12.5.4 Enugu State 327
12.5.5 Imo State 333

12.6 South-South Zone 339

12.6.1 Akwa Ibom State 340
12.6.2 Bayelsa State 344
12.6.3 Cross River State 349
12.6.4 Delta State 355

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12.6.5 Edo State 358

12.6.6 Rivers State 365

12.7 South-West Zone 372

12.7.1 Ekiti State 373
12.7.2 Lagos State 379
12.7.3 Ogun State 388
12.7.4 Ondo State 394
12.7.5 Osun State 399
12.7.6 Oyo State 405

CHAPTER THIRTEEN 409

Conclusion 409

ANNEXURES 412
Annexure 1: Transportation Matrix for the Supplementary Elections
to the General Election held on 18th April 2023 413
Annexure 2: Results of Presidential Election 418
Annexure 3: Results of Governorship Election 419
Annexure 4: Results of Senatorial District Election 420
Annexure 5: Results of Federal Constituency Election 424
Annexure 6: Results of State Constituency Election 441
Annexure 7: Illustration of Election Results 485

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List of Tables
Table 2.1: Activities Area in the 2019 EPP 23
Table 3.1: Off Cycle, Court Ordered and Bye Election 2019-2022 26
Table 3.2: Comparison of Number of Registered Voters, PUs and Average Voter Per PU,
2019 and 2023 29
Table 3.3: Voters Population in PUs by Clusters of Registered Voters 31
Table 3. 4: Voters Population in Polling Units by Cluster of Registered Voters for
2023 General Election 31
Table 3.5: State by State Data of Uploads of Presidential Election
Results to the IReV Portal 35
Table 4.1: Key Provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 41
Table 4.2: Distribution of PWD and Assistive Voting Devices by State, Type of Disability
and PU 60
Table 5.1: Distribution of SPOs Trained by State and Gender for the 2023
General Election 64
Table 5.2: Breakdown of Personnel Trained as POs/APOs by Gender and State 66
Table 5.3: Number of Personnel Trained as COs/ROs by Gender and State 68
Table 5.4: Details of nationwide EMSC/EPP Implementation Workshop’s 71
Table 7.1: Details of the Capacity Building Workshops for Assistant Electoral Officers 90
Table 7.2: Details of workshops for Voter Education Officers 91
Table 8.1: Budget and Funds released for the 2023 General Election 102
Table 8.2: Activities Supported by International Development Partners towards the
2023 General Election 103
Table 8.3: Names, Acronyms and Logos of the Political Parties in the 2023
General Election 105
Table 8.4: Scheduled for the Continuous Voters Registration for 2023 General Election 108
Table 8.5: Number of Successful Registrations in Each CVR Quarter 109
Table 8.6: Distribution of CVR Data by State and Gender 109
Table 8.7: Summary of the 2022 Nationwide Claims and Objection Exercise 112
Table 8.8: Comparative Analysis of State by State Consolidated and Validated
Registered Voters for the 2019 and 2032 General Elections 112

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Table 8.9: Distribution of Consolidated and Validated Registered Voters by State and
Gender for 2023 General Election 114
Table 8.10: Distribution of Consolidated and Registered Voters by Occupation for 2023
General Election 115
Table 8.11: Distribution of Registered Voters by Age for the 2023 General Election 115
Table 8.12: Distribution of Registered PWD voters by type of disability for the 2023,
General Election 115
Table 8.13: State by State Summary of PVCs Collected for the 2023 General Election 117
Table 8.14: Summary of Party Primaries monitored by the Commission for the
nomination of candidates for the 2023 General Election 119
Table 8.15: Nominees of the Political Parties for the Primaries of the 2023 Presidential
Election 120
Table 8.16: Eligibility Criteria for the Recruitment of Ad-hoc Staff for 2023 General
Election 123
Table 8.17: Ad-hoc Staff Recruitment for 2023 General Election 124
Table 8.18: Planning and Time-line for the Procurement of BVAS 126
Table 8.19: Procurement Plan and Time-lines for the Procurement of
Sensitive Materials for the 2023 General Election 127
Table 8.20: Procurement Time-lines for Priority Projects with October (2022)
Delivery Dates for the 2023 General Election 128
Table 8.21: Transportation Matrix for Election Officials for the
2023 General Election 131
Table 8.22: Number of Accredited Polling Unit Agents for 18 political parties
by State and by Party for the 2023, General Election 135
Table 8.23: Number of Accredited Collation Agents for the 18 Political Parties
at RA, LGA and State Collation Centres 137
Table 8.24: Accredited Collation Agents for the 18 Political Parties at the National
Collation Centre 138
Table 9.1: Transportation Matrix for Election Officials for the Presidential and
National Assembly Election 145
Table 9.2: RAC Preparation and Activation Date 12 Hours to Election Day 149
Table 9.3: Opening and Close of Polls and the Number of Accredited Voters
on Election Data 152
Table 9.4: BVAS Deployment Chart on PU Basis 155
Table 9.5: Threat Matrix during Counting, Collation, and Declaration of
Result for the 2023 General Election 158

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Table 9.6: Zonal Performance of Four Leading Political Parties in the

Presidential Election 163
Table 10.1: Transportation Matrix for Election Officials for the
Governorship and State Constituency Election 168
Table 10.2: RAC Preparation and Activation Data 12 Hours to Election Day 170
Table 10.3: Opening and Close of Polls and the Number of Accredited
Voters on Election Day 172
Table 11.1: Delimitation Details for the 15th of April Supplementary
Election to the 2023 General Election 178
Table 12.1: Delimitation Data by Geopolitical Zones for the 184
Table 12.2: Delimitation Data for the North-Central Zone on State-by-State Bases 185
Table 12.3: Delimitation Data for the North-East Zone on State-by-State Bases 234
Table 12.4: Delimitation Data for the North-West Zone on State-by-State Bases 269
Table 12.5: Delimitation Data for the South-East Zone on State-by-State Bases 313
Table 12.6: Delimitation Data for the South-South Zone on State-by-State Bases 339
Table 12.7: Delimitation Data for the South-West Zone on State-by-State Bases 372

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List of Boxes
Box 1: Planning of the 2023 General Election and challenges 7
Box 2: Post Election Review Meetings 12
Box 3: Recommendations of the Post-Election Review Meeting 14
Box 4: Monitoring Political Parties and Challenges 16
Box 5: Review of the 2019 EPP 24
Box 6: Expansion of Voters Access to the PUs, 30
Box 7: Working of the EPP Committee 46
Box 8: Component of the Election Monitoring and Support Centre 50
Box 9: The 2022 Electoral Act and Political Parties 58
Box 10 Stakeholder Engagements for the 2023 General Election 80
Box 11: Innovations in the Run-Up to of 2023 General Election 86
Box 12: Break Down of the 2023 General Election Budget 101
Box 13: Deregistration of Political Parties 107
Box 14: Suspension of CVR for the 2023 General Election and
Deduplication of CVR Data 111

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List of Figures and Illustrations

Figure 3:1: Geo-location of Polling Units Nationwide 36

Figure 4.1: Integration of the Commission Planning Tools to the EMSC 49

Figure 4.2: Timetable and Schedule of Activities for 2023 General Election 53

Figure 5.1: Distribution of Incidence of Violence and Threat of Violence

within a One-Week Period (20th -25th February 2023) 77

Figure 8.1: Ratio of Registered Voters to 2022 Population Estimate by State

of the Federation 113

Figure 8.2: Process Flow Diagram for PVC Collection 121

Figure 8.3: Legend of Incidents against INEC Offices and Personnel

Nationwide in the Run-Up to the 2023 General Election 140

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List of Annexures
Annexure 1: Transportation Matrix for the Supplementary Elections
to the 2023 General Election held on 18th April 2023 413

Annexure 2: Result of Presidential Election 418

Annexure 3: Result of Governorship Election 419

Annexure 4: Result of Senatorial District Election 420

Annexure 5: Result of Federal Constituency Election 424

Annexure 6: Results of State Constituency Election 441

Annexure 7: Illustration of Election Results 485

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Abbreviations and Acronyms

A Accord
AA Action Alliance
AAC African Action Congress
ACRV Average Cost Per Register Voter
ADP Action Democratic Party
ABIS Advanced Biometric Identification System
ADR Alternative Dispute Resolution
AEOs Assistant Electoral Officers
ADC African Democratic Congress
AIT African Independent Television
APC All Progressives Congress
APGA All Progressives Grand Alliance
APIs Application Programmable Interfaces
APM Allied Peoples’ Movement
APOs Assistant Presiding Officer(s)
APP Action Peoples Party
AREVOs Assistant Revision Officers
AS Administrative Secretary
AU African Union
ASTOs Assistant State Training Officers
ATBU Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi
BaSED Basic Security for Election Duty
BP Boot Party
BPP Bureau for Public Procurement
BVAS Bimodal Voter Accreditation System
CAN Christian Association of Nigeria
CAVS Continuous Accreditation and Voting System
CBN Central Bank of Nigeria
CBOs Community Based Organizations
CDD Centre for Democracy and Development
CDS Community Development Service xxiii
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CLP Community Life Project

CO Collation Officer(s)
CoR Certificate of Return
COVI Cost per Registered Voter Index
COVID-19 Corona Virus Disease 2019***
CP Commissioner of Police
CPS Chief Press Secretary
CROGE Collation and Returning Officer for the Governorship Election
CROMS Collation and Returning Officers’ Management System
CROPE Collation and Returning Officer for the Presidential Election
CSOs Civic Society Organisations
CSRVS Collation Support and Result Verification System
CTA Chief Technical Adviser
CTC Certified True Copy
CVE Civic and Voter Education
CVR Continuous Voter Registration
DAs Data Administrators
DAI Development Alternatives Incorporated
DDCM Direct Data Capture Machine
DOs Desk Officers
DPO Divisional Police Officer
DSS Department of State Services
EA Electoral Act
ECA Electoral Cycle Approach
ECES European Centre for Electoral Support
ECOWAS Economic Community of West African States
EDS Election Day Support
EFCC Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
EMB Election Management Body
EMS Election Management System
EMSC Election Monitoring and Support Centre

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EOPs Electoral Operations Department

EOs Electoral Officer(s)
EOSC Electoral Operations Support Centre
EPM Election and Party Monitoring Department
EPP Election Project Plan
EPPC Election Project Plan Committee
ERM Election Risk Management
ESP Election Security Personnel
ESTA Election Security Threat Assessment
EST Electoral Security Training
EU European Union
EU-EOM European Union Election Observation Mission
EU-SDGN European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria
EVMAT Election Violence Mitigation and Advocacy Tool
EVR Electronic Voters’ Register
FAQs Frequently Asked Questions
FBOs Faith Based Organisations
FC Federal Constituency
FCT Federal Capital Territory
FEDPOLY Federal Polytechnic
FES Friedrich Ebert Stiftung
FM Frequency Modulation
FMBN Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria
FOMWAN Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria
FRSC Federal Road Safety Corps
FTIs Federal Tertiary Institutions
GAP General Administration and Procurement
GIS Geographic Information System
GPS Global Positioning System
GSM Global System for Mobile Communications
HB-ESP Handbook for Election Security Personnel
HoDs Heads of Department
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HQ Headquarters
ICC International Conference Centre
ICCC INEC Citizens Contact Centre
ICCES Inter-Agency Consultative Committee in Election Security
ICPC Independent Corrupt Practices Commission
ICT Information Communication Technology
ICT/VRC ICT and Voter Registry Committee
ID Identity Card
IDPs Internally Displaced Persons
IEC Information, Education & Communication
IFES International Foundation for Electoral Systems
JNI Jama’atu Nasril Islam
IMS Institute of Media and Society
INECPRES INEC Portal for the Recruitment of Election Staff
INEC Independent National Electoral Commission
INEC-TBOT INEC Training Bot
IPAC Inter-Party Advisory Committee
IPMAN Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria
IPSAS International Public Sector Accounting Standards
IPC International Press Centre
IPOs Investigating Police Officers
INEC-SANS INEC Security and Alert Notification System
IReV INEC Results Viewing Portal
IT Information Technology
IVED INEC Voter Enrolment Device
KPIs Key Performance Indicators
LED Light Emitting Diodes
LGAs Local Government Areas
LGATECH Local Government Technical Support Staff
LGTOs Local Government Training Officer(s)
LICVEP Local Government Inter-Agency Committee on Voter Education
and Publicity
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LMS Learning Management System

LP Labour Party
MDAs Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government
MoU Memorandum of Understanding
MWUN Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria
M&E Monitoring and Evaluation
NAF Nigerian Air Force
NARTO National Association of Road Transport Owners
NASS National Assembly
NBS Nigeria Bureau of Statistics
NCS Nigeria Customs Service
NGO Non-Governmental Organization
NHF National Housing Fund
NIBSS Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System

NICVEP National Inter-Agency Committee on Voter Education and

Publicity
NIMC National Identity Management Commission
NIN-SIM National Identification Number- Subscriber Identity Module
NIREC Nigeria Inter-Religious Council
NNPC Nigeria National Petroleum Company
NNPP New Nigeria Peoples Party
NOA National Orientation Agency
NRM National Rescue Movement
NSCDC Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
NSR National Situation Room
NUJ Nigeria Union of Journalists
NURTW National Union of Road Transport Workers
NYSC National Youth Service Corps
OCB Open Competitive Bidding
O/C SSS Officer-in-Charge State Security Service
O/C NSCDC Officer-in-Charge Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
OMIS Operations Management Information System
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PFRAS Parties’ Financial and Auditing Reporting System

PMS Park Management System
PAPS Political Affairs Peace and Security
PAOs Public Affairs Officers
PEAM Pre-Election Assessment Mission
PBAs Principal Business Areas
PDP Peoples Democratic Party
PO Presiding Officer(s)
PRP Peoples Redemption Party
P&M Planning and Monitoring
PPA Public Procurement Act
PPFT Political Party Finance Tracking Form
PRE/NASS Presidential/National Assembly
PRVs Preliminary Register of Voters
PUs Polling Units
PVC Permanent Voters’ Card
PWD Persons with Disability
RACs Registration Area Camps
RACOs Registration Area Collation Officers
QR Quick Response
RAs Registration Areas
RATECHs Registration Area Technical Support Staff
REC Resident Electoral Commissioner
REVOs Revision Officers
RFQ Request for Quotation
RO Returning Officer(s)
SA Special Adviser
SC State Constituency
SCIA Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs
SCOPE State Collation Officer for the Presidential Election
SCRs Smart Card Readers
SD Senatorial District
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SDP Social Democratic Party

SERVICOM Service Compact with All Nigerians
SHoA State House of Assembly
SICVEP State Inter-Agency Committee on Voter Education and Publicity
SIEC State Independent Electoral Commission
SMS Short Messaging Service
SOP Standard Operation Procedure
SPA Strategic Plan of Action
SP Strategic Plan
SPIP Strategic Plan Implementation Programme
SPOs Supervisory Presiding Officers
SRACs Super Registration Area Camps
STOs State Training Officers
TEI The Electoral Institute
ToT Training of Trainers
TMG Transition Monitoring Group
TM-ESP Training Manual for Election Security Personnel
UKAID United Kingdom Department for International Development
UN United Nations
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
UNIABUJA University of Abuja
UNIBEN University of Benin
UNILORIN University of Ilorin
USAID United States Agency for International Development
VEP Voter Education, Publicity, Gender, and Civil Society Department
VIN Voter Identification Number
VIPs Visually Impaired Persons
VPs Voting Points
VPS Voting Points Settlements
VR Voter Register
YIAGA Africa Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement Africa
YPP Young Progressive Party
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ZLP Zenith Labour Party
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Foreword
The 2023 General Election held in February and March was the seventh successive election
since 1999 in the four-year constitutionally-mandated Electoral Cycles for election of officers
into the executive and legislative arms of government at Federal and State levels.

This report documents the major activities the Commission carried out in the preparation
and conduct of the General Election, beginning from mid-2019. This early preparation was in
keeping with what has become the Commission’s practice of long-range systematic planning
and execution of the country’s elections since 2010.

Notable milestones in the preparations for the 2023 General Election include the mid-term
review of the Commission’s 2017-2021 Strategic Plan (SP), formulation of a new 2021-2026
SP and Strategic Plan Implementation Programme (SPIP) and the formulation of the 2023
Election Project Plan. It also included a thorough review and enhancement of the Election
Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC), which, is an integrated planning, monitoring,
implementation, early warning and field support tool, first established in 2017. This involved
the review and integration of the Commission’s four key monitoring and implementation
mechanisms, namely the Election Management System (EMS), the Election Risk Management
Tool (ERM), the Election Operations Support Centre (EOSC) and the INEC Security and Alert
Notification System (I-SANS).

Again, as has since become the Commission’s tradition, it interacted several times with critical
stakeholders in the electoral and democratic processes, both local and international. Among
these stakeholders were political parties, civil society organisations, the media and security
agencies. Others included the Bar and Bench, the legislature and government departments
such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation
Limited (NNPCL). The Commission also met with some international development partners
such as the European Union and USAID. Not least, we also reached out to other Election
Management Bodies on the African Continent and beyond to learn lessons that would enable
us to improve and enhance our service delivery.

One key outcomes of the Commission’s interaction with these stakeholders was the
replacement of the Smart Card Reader (SCR) with the INEC Bimodal Voter Accreditation
System (BVAS) for voter accreditation using the twin option of fingerprints or facial biometric
authentication of voters at the PUs The same system is used as the INEC Voter Enrollement
Device during voter registration.

The BVAS which also has the application to scan and upload PU results to the INEC Result
Viewing (IReV) portal eliminated the possibility of anyone being able to vote more than once
or do so using someone else’s Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC).

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However, the significant progress the Commission achieved in the deployment of technology
would not have been possible without the commitment of Commission members, the support
of its experienced Resident Electoral Commissioners RECs) and the dedication of our hard-
working management and staff. It would also not have been possible without the support of
millions of our ad-hoc staff drawn from young graduates undergoing the mandatory national
service (i.e. National Youth Service Corps -NYSC ) and other ad-hoc staff from the public
service and tertiary institutions.

I must equally express our appreciation for the support and cooperation we received from
all three arms of government, i.e. the executive, legislature and judiciary and from non-
governmental organisations such as the transport unions, Civil Society Organisations, and
the media. The security agencies also played a key role in securing the process, personnel
and materials thereby creating the enabling environment that made the conduct of the 2023
General Election possible.

Finally, I must also reiterate the Commission’s willingness to learn useful lessons from the
successes and challenges of the past as we all strive to make our elections more credible,
transparent and inclusive.

Professor Mahmood Yakubu

Chairman
Abuja
February 2024

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Acknowledgments
The successful conduct of elections in a large, populous and diverse
country like Nigeria requires considerable human and material resources.
This report of the 2023 General Election is an account of how the leadership, management,
and staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) planned, monitored and
implemented the country’s most technologically-driven election since 1999. It also tells the
story of how the Commission interacted with several stakeholders in Nigeria’s democracy,
both domestic and international and learnt lessons on how to deliver on its commitment to
free, fair, transparent and credible election.

Several institutions, groups and individuals deserve commendation for their roles in
the production of this report, which is the fourth since the 2011 General Election
when INEC began the publication of general election report for public dissemination.
First and foremost, our thanks as members of the Committee that produced the report must
go to the Commission’s Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu. He, together with other
members of the Commission, gave us the opportunity to produce this historical document
containing useful information about the planning, organisation, and execution of the 2023
General Election. Second, our gratitude goes to the three personal aides to the Chairman:
Professor Mohammad J. Kuna (Special Adviser), Professor Bolade M. Eyinla (Chief Technical
Adviser) and Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi (Chief Press Secretary) for carrying out the difficult task of
compiling, editing and in many cases re-writing the reports of the election received from the
20 Departments and Directorates of the Commission, as well as the Commission’s 36 States
and the Federal Capital Territory offices.

Next, the Committee’s gratitude goes to all its members, my colleague National Commissioners,
Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru and Mr. Sam Olumekun, as well as the Resident Electoral
Commissioners for Benue and Lagos State, Professors Sam Egwu and Ayobami Salami and
other members, including Professor Ibrahim Sani, Director of Research at The Electoral
Institute (TEI) and staff of the Planning, Monitoring and Strategy Department. This report
would not have been possible without their invaluable inputs.

Our special thanks must go to the Secretary of the Committee and Director of the Commission’s
Secretariat, Mrs. Maryam Iya Musa, and members of her team, namely, Mrs. Anne Aderibigbe,
Mrs. Helen Ogundana, Mr. Terungwa Awuhe, Mr. Joe-Stans Aondongu Toryem, Mrs. Thelma
Essien Npanam, Mrs. Aisha Orulebaja-Ayola, Mrs. Aisha A. Yabo, Miss Bose Fashina, Mrs.
Favour Simon, Miss Stephanie Faga-Ishwa and Miss Ramatu Sadiq.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Finally, we thank numerous other staff and organisations that have

in one way or the other contributed to the success of this report.
This report will, without doubt, provide useful information and insight into the planning,
processes and conduct of the 2023 General Election which, for the first time since the 2007
election, held as scheduled.

Mohammed Kudu Haruna

National Electoral Commissioner
Chairman, 2023 General Election Report Committee

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Executive Summary
As all election managers and observers know, the end of one electoral cycle heralds the
beginning of another. This dictum has operated time and again and was clearly demonstrable
after the 2019 General Election. Accordingly, as a springboard to advancing its operations,
processes and procedures in the conduct of elections, the Commission took deliberate steps to
review the conduct of the 2019 General Election not in isolation, but with the engagement of
its field officers at all levels and a wide range of electoral stakeholders. These review meetings
were held with the sole aim of improving the management and conduct of elections to be
held within the 2019-2023 Electoral Cycle. The outcome of the various review engagements
resulted in a total of 178 recommendations spanning 14 thematic areas. Recommendations
that required the Commission’s administrative action and amendments to the election legal
framework were expedited. The Commission went further to review its 2017-2021 Strategic
Plan (SP) and Strategic Plan of Action (SPA) to appraise the implementation of 47 key actions
and over 650 activities. The major challenges that militated against the full realisation of the
plan were identified and categorised into five thematic areas. Lessons learnt from the 2017-
2021 review formed the launching pad for the formulation of the 2022-2026 Strategic Plan
(SP) and Strategic Plan Implementation Programme (SPIP).

Similarly, the formulation of the 2023 Election Project Plan (EPP) was dependent upon a
comprehensive review of the 2019 EPP. The 2023 EPP was a comprehensive and in-depth
project plan for the conduct of the 2023 General Election. It provided the Commission
and other electoral stakeholders with the template for the coordination and execution of
roles, activities and timelines for the planning, organisation, and delivery of the election.
Specifically, it articulated the administrative, operational, logistic, financial, and environmental
requirements for the delivery of the election into 29 executive and 1,462 elective legislative
positions nationwide.

It is important to draw attention to some key pre-2023 general election activities. First, there
was the conduct of Off-Cycle, Bye-Elections and Re-run Elections between August 2019 and
July 2022 to fill executive and legislative positions in 145 constituencies nationwide. Second,
there was the challenge, from December 2019 to late 2020, of conducting some of these
elections in the context of the global COVID-19 Pandemic that tasked the Commission to
develop a policy on conducting elections within the prevailing atmosphere of the pandemic
and develop innovations to meet the public safety exigencies in line with advisories by
national and global health authorities.

Third, several other innovations by the Commission in the 2019-2022 period peculiarly
made the 2023 General Election unique. It was the first general election to be conducted
after the amendment of the Electoral Act 2022. Furthermore, the Presidential and National
Assembly election, for the first time in two Electoral Cycles 2010-2015 and 2015-2019, held
on schedule without postponement as a result of logistics or other challenges. Moreover,

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voter access to polling units was expanded countrywide after 25 years when in June 2021
the Commission converted the 56,872 Voting Points and Voting Point Settlements into full-
fledged Polling Units, bringing the number of polling units in Nigeria to 176,846. In addition
to expanding voter access to polling units, the Commission also relocated 749 polling
units from inappropriate to more appropriate public facilities or open spaces to guarantee
unencumbered access for all voters. Sequel to the forgoing, there was voter migration and
inadvertently, de-congestion of some over-crowded polling units. This exercise is on-going
as some polling units are still congested as a result of voter reluctance to relocate mainly for
security consideration.

Within the same period under review, the Commission developed and deployed new
technologies. For instance, the Commission automated certain aspects of the electoral process
and procedures by creating portals for a hybrid training platform, Virtual Library, Continuous
Voter Registration (CVR), CVR Live Locator, Candidate Nomination, Media Accreditation
Management System, RATECHs Management System, Observer Management System and
Political Party Agent Management System. The INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED), used as
a registration device during CVR, was transformed with a few add-ons into an accreditation
device as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) on Election Day, to accredit voters
and upload of polling unit results to the INEC Results Viewing (IReV) portal, capture the
Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates for the 176,846 polling units nationwide. The
conduct of a BVAS functionality mock accreditation exercise on the eve on the election
enabled the Commission to test-run the system ahead of the 2023 General Election.

Careful steps were taken in the planning and build-up to the 2023 General Election.
Unarguably, legal framework creates the ambit that defined the operations and processes
of the Commission’s activities for the election. The Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) was the
governing law for elections in Nigeria early from 2010 to 2022; however, with the early signing
into law of the Electoral Act 2022 on the 25th of February 2022, an enhanced electoral legal
framework for conduct of election in Nigeria that sought to address several lingering issues
that posed significant challenges to the management of the entire electoral process became
operational, introducing about 80 new provisions addressing a wide range of pertinent issues,
some of which were referred to in this report. Furthermore, the Commission inaugurated an
18-member Strategic Plan Committee with specific terms of reference, which included the
design, development and production of the 2022 – 2026 Strategic Plan (SP) and Strategic Plan
Implementation Programme (SPA). Five key objectives of the plan were enhancing electoral
operations and infrastructure, advancing voter and civic education, strengthening political
party registration and monitoring, enhancing engagement with national and international
stakeholders and strengthening the Commission’s institutional structures and memory. These
strategic objectives served as a roadmap for INEC's activities for the period 2022-2026.

To ensure trust, effectiveness, credibility, and accountability of the INEC Strategic Plan, a robust
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework which included routine data collection, surveys,
monitoring progress, management reviews, as well as holding stakeholder engagements

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were planned and implanted. The Commission’s capacity for strategic planning, effective
implementation, and real-time monitoring of electoral activities was strengthened through
the Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC) which comprises four (4) key tools i.e.
the Election Monitoring System (EMS), Electoral Risk Management (ERM), INEC Security
Alert and Notification System (INEC-SANS) and the Electoral Operations Support Centre
(EOSC). Evidence of the Commission’s deliberate effort at electoral planning is the 2023
EPP, which is the third EPP document following that of 2015 and 2019. The 2023 EPP had
1,495 activities and sub-activities, divided into 1,303 pre-election, 80 election and 112 post-
election activities. The Plan's overarching goal is to ensure that the 2023 General Election
was conducted in a free, fair, credible and inclusive manner, thereby reinforcing the gains
and progress that the Commission made in the conduct of elections and the management of
the electoral process since 2010. The Plan outlined five (5) specific objectives. As part of its
planning for the 2023 General Election, and in view of the new electoral legal framework,
the Commission’s 2019 Regulations, Guidelines and Manuals for the conduct of elections
were all reviewed and updated. The Commission also revised and enhanced its inclusivity
measures by updating its IDP and Gender policies as well as by deploying assistive voting
devices.

In recognition of the essence of competence and efficiency, the Commission held various
categories and levels of training to build the capacity of both its regular and ad-hoc staff.
Training was organised for 74 TEI/Commission Headquarter (TEI/HQ) Master Trainers,
37 State Training Officers (STOs), 37 Assistant State Training Officers (ASTOs), and 774
Local Government Training Officers (LGTOs) as well as specialised training workshops
for Operations, VEP, ICT/VR, Legal and ADR and other categories of regular staff. The
Commission also trained other categories of election personnel such as 27,963 Supervisory
Presiding Officers (SPOs), 798,255 Presiding Officers (POs) and Assistant Presiding Officers
(APOs) and 24,292 Collation/ Returning Officers (COs/ROs). The Commission’s Election
and Party Monitoring Department in collaboration with the Inter-Party Advisory Council
(IPAC), conducted training for Polling Agents of political parties. Security personnel were not
left out of the Commission’s training plans. In collaboration with the security agencies, the
Commission mapped out a comprehensive cascade training schedule for security personnel.
In the same vein, the Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC) held a series of training
for Administrative Secretaries (AS) and HoDs across the 36 States and FCT, and a nationwide
implementers’ workshop which drew participants from over 50 organisations, including
political parties, civil society and international organisations. The Commission’s introduction
of the INEC Training Bot and the INEC e-School enabled technology-driven online training.

In the period between 2019 and 2023, but especially towards the 2023 General Election, the
Commission engaged with relevant stakeholders to apprise them of the various technological
innovations, plans and policies for the election. These engagements consisted of the regular
quarterly, and then special meetings with political parties, civil society organisations, security
agencies under the auspices of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security

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(ICCES), the media, as well as specific Ministries, Departments and Agencies. Furthermore,
the Commission met with its International Development Partners, traditional rulers and
religious leaders, and Heads of various Election Observation Missions to the 2023 General
Election.

The Commission implemented the 2019 revised edition of its Communication Policy. The Voter
Education and Publicity (VEP) Department followed the guidelines and standards outlined
in the Commission’s Revised Communication Policy (2019). Information flow was from top
to bottom, which was replicated in the States where off-cycle elections were conducted
during the period. Arrangements and other logistics information were communicated to
both internal and external stakeholders and the general public. Voter enlightenment and
sensitisation programmes were carried out using various communication platforms. A
number of Implementation and capacity-building workshops were held for both staff of the
Commission and stakeholders. Voter education materials in various languages were also
produced in both hard and electronic copies. Audio and video jingles were produced, Radio,
television and social media engagements were organised. Youth votes count outreach, road
shows and carnivals were held. The “INEC Online TV” was created in the build-up to the
General Election for disseminating information.

Funding for the 2023 General Election was key for the implementation of electoral
activities. Section 81(2,3&4) of the Constitution provides that the required funding to meet
the expenditure of the Commission be released directly from the Consolidated Revenue
of the Federation. In line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the
Commission’s budget proposal for the 2023 General Election was submitted to the Presidency
and duly transmitted to the National Assembly for appropriation. The Commission also
received support in kind from Development Partners channeled through their implementing
parties for electoral activities as determined by the Commission, such as in training, capacity-
building, civic and voter education, production of voter information, education and voter
communication materials and engagement with stakeholders. Other key activities in the
build-up to the election were the registration and de-registration of political parties; the
conduct of the CVR from June 2021 to July 2022; the display of register of voter; the
production delivery and collection of Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC); the conduct of party
primaries and submission of list of candidates; the monitoring of political party campaigns;
the procurement of electoral materials; logistics and delivery of election materials; and the
accreditation of election observers, media and polling agents.

However, the implementation of electoral activities were not without challenges, the most
devastating of which was the spate of attacks on Commission’s personnel and facilities by
thugs, unknown gunpersons, and arsonists nationwide. During the period between the 2019
General Election and 12th December 2022, the Commission suffered over 50 attacks on its
buildings and facilities in various LGAs and State Offices across 15 States of the federation
in which vehicles, office equipment and election materials were destroyed. Furthermore,

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currency swap by the Central Bank of Nigeria and the limit placed on cash withdrawals from
banks constituted encumbrances on the Commission’s operations for the payment to some
unbanked service providers and the ability of particularly transport providers to service
and fuel vehicles in boats and motorcycles in readiness for Election Duty. The prevailing
fuel scarcity across the country and inadequate numbers of vehicles and boats for the
transportation of election personnel and materials within the required timeframe posed a
great challenge to the logistics plan for the election. This is more so considering the size and
diversity of Nigeria, as well the state of national infrastructure. Indeed, election is the largest
and most complex logistics undertaking in Nigeria involving the simultaneous movement of
personnel and material to 176,846 polling units across 8,809 wards spread across 774 Local
Government Areas (LGAs) in 36 states and FCT.

On the 25th of February 2023, the nation held the Presidential and National Assembly
Elections. These elections were notable for their peaceful and orderly conduct, marked by the
absence of significant instances of violence, with over 25% of registered voters casting their
ballots. Polls opened on time in most polling stations and was generally smooth and orderly.
There were some reports of technical glitches with the BVAS, although these were addressed
by the roving technical staff assigned to address such issues. The counting, collation, and
declaration of results process was largely peaceful, transparent, and credible nationwide. The
National Situation Room and Collation Centre were operational during the election. While
the former was tailored to serve as the nerve centre for monitoring the conduct of elections
across the 774 LGAs nationwide, the latter served as the venue for National Collation of
results emanating from States. Throughout the electoral process, Election Monitoring Support
Centres (EMSCs) in every state served as a vital source of field information and intervention.

The National Situation Room was also set up for the conduct of the Governorship and State
Houses of Assembly Elections, held on the 18th March 2023. This time, it was replicated in all
36 states. The Situation rooms both at the national and State level were managed by a team
of experts from INEC, the security agencies and other relevant organisations. The EMSC set
up by INEC provided real-time information from the field across the 36 States. The opening
of polls, voting process, performance of the BVAS, counting, collation and declaration of
results were generally smooth and orderly. However, there were challenges which included
the late arrival of election materials at some PUs, inadequate security personnel, violence
and intimidation. In most cases, these were addressed on Election Day or the following day
and where they were not immediately addressed, supplementary elections were conducted
for the affected constituencies on 15th April 2023.

The report is organised into 13 chapters covering the issues highlighted in the proceeding
paragraphs in a thematic manner. It also provides critical statistics covering the preparation,
conduct and outcome of the election. This report is therefore both an account of the 2023
General Election and valuable lessons for the conduct of future elections in Nigeria.

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Chapter 1
Introduction
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

The 2023 General Election is the seventh Except for the 2003 and particularly 2007
successive general election since the return General Elections which, even its greatest
of democracy to Nigeria on the 29th of beneficiary, the late President Umaru
May 1999. This came after 16 long years Musa Yar’Adua, admitted in his inaugural
of military rule that followed the coup of speech was seriously flawed, each of the
the 31st December 1983, which ended the elections since 1999 has generally been an
short-lived Second Republic that, in turn, improvement over the previous one. That of
lasted for only four years and three months, 2015, conducted under the chairmanship of
from the 1st of October 1979. However, the Professor Attahiru Jega, is widely regarded
Second Republic was even more short-lived as a, if not the, watershed; it was the first
than the First which the military overthrew General Election in Nigeria in which an
on the 15th of January 1966, a little over incumbent President lost.
only five years after Independence from
British colonial rule that formally ended on However, even that election was not
the 1st of October 1960. without its challenges, one of which was its
postponement by six weeks (from the 14th
That we have had 24 years of seven of February to the 28th of March 2015) for
uninterrupted periodically elected reasons of insecurity in the Northeast and
governments since 1999 is testimony to the much of the Northwest geo-political zones
faith Nigerians have apparently developed of the country. In this respect, this year’s
in democracy, as opposed to the military General Election made history of sorts
rule their country had been used to up because it was the first since 2007 to be
until May 1999. The Independent National conducted on its initial scheduled date of
Electoral Commission (INEC), the current the 25th of February at least at the national
version of Nigeria’s election management level (Presidential and National Assembly
bodies that have existed since before elections). The state level elections of
Independence, has played a central role in Governors and members of State Houses of
deepening democracy in the country. Assembly that were to have followed two
weeks later, had to be shifted by a week due
Among INEC’s nine constitutional mandates to litigation surrounding the Commission’s
that include conducting elections, accreditation machines, the Bimodal Voter
registering voters and political parties and Accreditation System (BVAS).
delimitation of electoral constituencies, the
most important is, of course, the conduct The significance of holding the Presidential
of elections, if only because the free, fair, and National Assembly elections on
and credible choice of governments by the schedule for the first time since 2007 is not
people is a central pillar of democracy. Most to be underestimated if only because the
fair-minded observers of our elections background of insecurity against which this
would agree that INEC has done a fairly year’s election took place was worse and
good job of carrying out that mandate since more widespread than in previous elections.
1999. Facilities, personnel, and materials of the
Commission were apparently systematically

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

targeted for destruction. Between 2019 and States, the oldest Presidential democracy.
December 2022, the Commission suffered
up to 50 violent attacks across 15 States in This 2023 General Election fell on the 25th of
virtually all the six geo-political zones of the February of that year, and as earlier pointed
country. out, it held on schedule. The early planning
for the election enabled the Commission to
As has since become the Commission’s make an early choice of election technology
practice, preparations for the 2023 General and systems appropriate to the country’s
Election began not long after the 2019 circumstances, test and deploy them to
General Election ended. The preparations make them familiar with the public and
started with process review meetings ensure their integrity.
with field officers and stakeholders such
as political parties, the security and The flagship among the Commission’s choice
other government agencies, civil society of technology was the BVAS designed by
organisations, the media and transport our own engineers for the accreditation
unions. The meetings deliberated on a wide of voters using either their fingerprints or
range of administrative, operational, logistic, facials. The machines were tested in several
funding, security and other issues aimed at bye-elections and off-season Governorship
improving the planning, management, and elections, and they proved their mettle.
conduct of elections held during the 2019-
2023 Electoral Cycle. There was also the INEC Results Viewing
(IReV) portal for real-time viewing of Polling
One positive outcome of these meetings was Unit (PU) results which the Commission
that the Commission was able to conclude had deployed across 105 constituencies
its review of the 2017-2021 Strategic Plan where it conducted off-season elections,
(SP) and Strategic Plan Implementation beginning from a Nasarawa State House of
Programme (SPIP), formulate its new 2022- Assembly constituency in August 2020.
2026 SP and SPIP, as well as conclude the
2023 Election Project Plan (EPP), well over Other portals the Commission introduced
eighteen months before the date set for ahead of the General Election included those
this year’s General Election. for pre-registration of voters, accreditation
of election observers, domestic and
As we all know, the current Commission international, and of media reporters, and
under the Chairmanship of Professor the registration of candidates for elections.
Mahmood Yakubu, had, at the beginning of
his first tenure which started on the 9th of Together, these technological innovations
November 2015, introduced the innovation made the 2023 General Election easier for
of fixing the country’s General Election all stakeholders. The innovations also made
on the third Saturday of February of the it more inclusive and more transparent.
election year, in line with the forward-
looking practice in democracies elsewhere, The technological innovations apart, the
including in Ghana, Kenya and the United 2023 election was the first to be held under

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

a brand-new Electoral Act since 1999. The due to the politicisation of an exercise that
law under which the 1999 election was should have ordinarily been administrative
conducted was merely amended in 2010. and procedural.
Attempts to further amend it ahead of the
2015 and 2019 general elections were Learning from the lessons of those failures,
unsuccessful. However, one year ahead of Professor Yakubu, upon his return as
the 2023 General Election, the 2010 Act Chairman in December 2020, led the
was repealed and a new one was enacted Commission to engage early and widely with
by the National Assembly and signed into a broad range of stakeholders to expand
law by President Muhammadu Buhari on voter access to PUs early in 2021. At the
the 25th of February 2022. This enabled end of the exercise, voter access to PUs
the Commission to release the Timetable was expanded wherein the total number of
and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 PUs increased from 119,974 to the current
election the following day. 176,846.

The 2022 Electoral Act was not just timely;

it was also widely acclaimed as the most 1.1. Inauguration of the
progressive electoral legal framework to Commission
date for, among other things, its inclusivity,
approving the Commission’s discretionary Professor Yakubu’s first tenure started on
use of electronic devices to accredit voters the 9th of November 2015, along with five
and upload Polling Unit results to the INEC other members, namely Hajiya Amina Zakari,
Results Viewing Portal (IReV), making it Alhaji Baba Shettima Arfo, Dr. Muhammed
mandatory for political parties to complete Mustapha Lecky, Professor Anthonia Taiye
their primaries and submit the names of Okoosi-Simbine and late Prince Solomon
their candidates to the Commission 180 Adedeji Soyebi. At that time the tenure of
days to the election, and for empowering it one National Commissioner, Ambassador
to review election results to ensure they are Lawrence Nwuruku, was yet to expire.
made voluntarily and in accordance with
the law and its regulations, guidelines and The Chairman and the six National
manuals for elections. Commissioners were joined by the second
batch of six a little over a year later, on
Not only was the general election the 5th of December 2016, to be precise.
conducted under a law widely acclaimed as These were Professor Okechukwu Obinna
progressive; but for the first time in 25 years, Ibeanu, Dr. Adekunle Ladipo Ogunmola,
many voters were able to cast their votes in Engineer Abubakar Ahmed Nahuche,
Polling Units (PUs) closer to their residences Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Mrs. May
or places of work than had hitherto been Agbamuche-Mbu and AVM Ahmed Tijjani
the case. Until 2021, the country had only Muazu (rtd). Much later Barrister Festus
the 119,974 PUs created in 1996. Several Okoye joined the Commission on the 21st of
attempts by subsequent Commissions to July 2018, to replace Ambassador Nwuruku,
increase the number to match the increase whose tenure had by then expired.
in the country’s population failed, mostly

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu being sworn-in by President Muhammadu Buhari for a
second term in office on 9th December 2020.

It was with this full complement of 13 The batch of five Commissioners whose
members that the Commission conducted tenures ended in November 2020 were
the 2019 General Election in March. Eight replaced in two batches. The first batch was
months later, on the 8th of November appointed on the 15th of September 2021,
2020, the tenure of the Chairman ended. and it consisted of Professor Abdullahi Abdu
However, he was quickly renominated Zuru, Professor Sani Muhammad Adam
for a historic second term; before him no (SAN) and Dr. Baba Bila. This batch was
Chairman in the Commission’s long history closely followed on the 25th of October
had served more than a term. He was 2021 by Professors Muhammad Sani Kalla
sworn in for his second term on the 9th of and Kunle Cornelius Ajayi.
December 2020.
The batch of six whose tenures ended
A little under two years later, i.e., the 4th in December 2021 were replaced by
of December 2022, the tenure of the five Professor Rhoda H. Gumus, Major-General
members who joined the Commission Modibbo Abubakar Alkali (rtd.), Mr. Sam
in December 2016 also expired. A year Olumekun and Mr. Kenneth Nnamdi
before then, however, one of them, namely, Ukeagu. Barrister May Agbamuche-Mbu
Engineer Nahuche, had resigned his and Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna were
appointment on personal grounds. re-appointed for a second term. All six were
sworn in on the 23rd of February 2022.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

L-R: National Commissioners Prof. Sani Adam, Prof. Abdulahi Abdu Zuru and Dr Baba Bila being sworn in on 15th September 2021

National Commissioners, Prof Kunle Ajayi (in suit) and Prof Sani Kallah being sworn-in on 25th October 2021

National Commissioners Mallam Mohammed Haruna, Mr. Sam Olumekun mni, Prof. Phoda Gumus, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yaku-
bu, National Commissioners, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, Mr. Kenneth Ukeagu and Major General Abubakar Alkali (rtd), after the swear-
ing-in of six National Commissioners by President Muhammadu Buhari in February 2022.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

All this meant that the Commission had election since 1999. It is also a testimony
its full complement of 13 members one to the enormous efforts invested by the
year before the 2023 General Election. It Commission and several stakeholders in
also went into the election short of only the political and electoral process to ensure
two of the full complement of 37 Resident the conduct of a free, fair, credible, and
Electoral Commissioners. inclusive election. Several challenges were,
however, unprecedented. For one thing,
insecurity was worst and more widespread
1.2. The New Commission: in the current Electoral Cycle than in
Vision, Challenges and previous Cycles, in which the Commission’s
personnel and facilities became subjected
Opportunities to repeated attacks. The redesign of our
currency so close to the election created
The Report of the 2023 General Election
an acute cash crunch the country had not
chronicles how the leadership, management,
witnessed since the early eighties, whereas
and staff of the Independent National
several key aspects of our operations could
Electoral Commission (INEC) planned,
only be implemented with cash. There
monitored, and implemented, against
were also intermittent and inexplicable fuel
several great odds, what is the country’s
shortages.
most technologically driven and inclusive

Box 1: Planning the 2023 General Election and Challenges

The Report of the 2023 General Election chronicles how the leadership, management,
and staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) planned, monitored,
and implemented, against several great odds, what is the country’s most technologically
driven and inclusive election since 1999. It is also a testimony to the enormous efforts
invested by the Commission and several stakeholders in the political and electoral
process to ensure the conduct of a free, fair, credible, and inclusive election. Several
challenges were, however, unprecedented. For one thing, insecurity was worst and
more widespread in the current Electoral Cycle than in previous Cycles, in which the
Commission’s personnel and facilities became subjected to repeated attacks.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Despite these and other challenges, the the fairest reflection of Nigeria’s complex
Commission proceeded with the election multi-party democracy. Today more parties
on schedule. Recall that the Presidential have won elections at various levels of
election in 2011, 2015 and 2019 were government than in any other election
all postponed for sundry reasons. This since 1999. Also, some political parties lost
was the first time since the 2007 that the elections in their presumed strongholds and
Presidential and NASS election will hold in several States today, different parties
as scheduled without any major security control the legislative and executive arms
breach or incidence and a return was made of Government.
within 72 hours. On Election Day, over
80% of our Polling Units opened before The 2023 General Election is perhaps
10am and the biometric accreditation of the best planned and most innovative
voters using the BVAS for fingerprint and election in Nigeria. The election witnessed
facial recognition to prevent identity theft the highest number of eligible voters
stood at 98%. Although there was delay in and voting locations across the country
the real time upload of the PU results of with the participation of over one million
Presidential election on the portal due to a election duty officials and deployment of
technical glitch that was later resolved, the enormous logistic requirements including
first results were uploaded on the IReV by over 100,000 vehicles and about 4,000
8.55pm on Election Day and over 70% of boats protected by gunboats. Given the
the total results were uploaded by 28th of meticulous preparations for the election,
February 2023 when the election result was the transparency of the entire electoral
finally declared, and a winner returned. The process, from the casting of the vote, the
real time uploading of the PU results of the publication of the number of collected
National Assembly election as well as the Permanent Voters Card for the election
subsequent Governorship and State Houses down to the polling unit level for the
of Assembly elections was accomplished first time ever, the presence of security
without incidence. personnel, party agents, election observers
and the media along the entire voting
As the Chairman pointed out in his opening process and result collation chain, as well as
remarks on the first of a series of a month- the layers of stringent checks and control
long meetings with our field officers and put in place by the Commission before
other stakeholders, the Commission had making a declaration and return for an
approved to review the General Election for election, the outcome of the election, based
its lessons for future elections on the 4th on immutable provisions in the electoral
of July 2023. This year’s General Election legal framework is a true reflection of the
is, despite the mixed opinions about it, wishes of the electorate.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Chapter 2
Background to
the 2023 General
Election

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

2.1. Debriefing and openness and transparency. First were

the internal review meetings involving all
Process Reviews of the Staff and Officials of the Commission in
2019 General Election the 774 Local Government and 36 State
and FCT Offices across the Federation,
The 2019 General Election was concluded followed by an in-house debriefing
on the 27th of April 2019 with the conduct sessions involving the Commission, the
of the supplementary election in Ajeromi 37 Resident Electoral Commissioners and
– Ifelodun Federal Constituency in Lagos Administrative Secretaries, as well as the
State. Thereafter and in keeping with its Directing Staff of the Commission at the
already established practice since 2011, the Headquarters and Electoral Officers in the
Commission embarked on a comprehensive 774 Local Government Areas. Next was
review of the election over a five-week the Commission’s engagement with key
period from the 28th of May to the 12th of electoral stakeholders to receive feedback
July 2019. To be sure, the policy on post- on their activities and observation of
election audit and review which is designed the election. The stakeholders included
to promote accountability, provide leaders of political parties, security and
opportunities to learn lessons, address other agencies within the ambit of the
shortcomings and build institutional Inter-Agency Consultative Committee
memory on election management, was on Election Security (ICCES), media
approved by the Commission on the executives, representatives of Civil Society
13th of July 2017. The purpose of such Organisations, Persons with Disability
debriefing is to create a framework for (PwDs), Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs),
reporting, reviewing, and auditing elections as well as State Collation Officers for the
conducted by the Commission. The post Presidential Election (SCOPEs) that in most
2019 General Election debriefing process cases also acted as Collation and Returning
was therefore undertaken with the objective Officers for the Governorship Elections
of identifying the successes and failures (CROGEs), selected Collation Officers for
and to learn vital lessons for improving the the National and State Assembly elections
quality of the 2023 General Election and and selected Collation Officers for specific
the electoral process in general. During constituencies in the general election.
the review consisting of internal debriefing
sessions and external engagements The internal review meetings were based
with relevant electoral stakeholders, the on a bottom-up approach and consisted of
Commission evaluated and assessed its presentations and discussions on all aspects
policies, programmes, activities, processes, of the election by the staff and officials
and procedures before, during and in the of the Commission at the State and FCT
period immediately after the election. Offices under the leadership of the Resident
Electoral Commissioners. To successfully
The post-election review exercise was do this, a standard template was adopted
undertaken in two phases premised to guide presentations and to interrogate
on the Commission’s commitment to strengths and weaknesses in the planning,

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

conduct and management of the election. Relations (12 Recommendations).

This was followed by a no-holds barred
meeting with the 774 Electoral Officers d. Political Parties and Election
that presided over the management and Observation (20 Recommendations).
conduct of the election in the 774 Local
Governments across the country, the 37 e. Electoral Personnel: Recruitment,
Administrative Secretaries and Directors Training, Deployment & Remuneration
at Headquarters and Resident Electoral (22 Recommendations).
Commissioners, as well as a meeting of the
Commission itself during which the various f. Transportation: Movement of Personnel
processes and procedures, including the and Materials (6 Recommendations).
challenges encountered in the planning and
g. ICT, Smart Card Readers, CVR and
management of the elections were assessed
Internet Services (11 Recommendations).
and evaluated.
h. Procurement and Deployment of Election
The Commission’s engagement with major
Materials (12 Recommendations).
electoral stakeholders in state and society
focused on identifying and analysing the
i. Election Day Processes (9
successes achieved, the lessons learnt, and
Recommendations).
the challenges encountered in the pre-
election, election, and post-election period j. Reverse Logistics: Retrieval of Field
to learn important lessons for improving Assets (7 Recommendations).
the management and conduct of future
elections. k. Security Challenges and
Recommendations Before, During and
The findings of the review resulted in 178 After the 2019 General Election (6
recommendations organised around 14 Recommendations).
thematic areas as follows:
l. Election Monitoring and Support Centre
a. General State of Preparedness (21 (8 Recommendations).
Recommendations).
m. Impact of Legal Framework (11
b. Voter Registration and PVC Collection Recommendations).
(15 Recommendations).
n. General Issues (18 Recommendations).
c. Voter Education, Publicity and External

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Box 2: Post Election Review Meetings

The internal review meetings were based on a bottom-up approach and consisted of
presentations and discussions on all aspects of the election by the staff and officials of the
Commission at the State and FCT Offices under the leadership of the Resident Electoral
Commissioners. To successfully do this, a standard template was adopted to guide
presentations and to interrogate strengths and weaknesses in the planning, conduct and
management of the election. This was followed by a no-holds barred meeting with the
774 Electoral Officers that presided over the management and conduct of the election
in the 774 Local Governments across the country, the 37 Administrative Secretaries and
Directors at Headquarters and Resident Electoral Commissioners, as well as a meeting
of the Commission itself during which the various processes and procedures, including
the challenges encountered in the planning and management of the elections were
assessed and evaluated.

The 178 recommendations were categorised agencies, the media and other non-state
into three broad areas. First were the actors, 17 were implemented, two were
recommendations that the Commission partially implemented, while six were
could implement administratively, followed not implemented. Lastly, four of the 12
by those that required implementation recommendations that needed to be
through extensive consultations with addressed by an amendment to the electoral
relevant stakeholders and lastly were others legal framework were fully implemented
that can only be implemented by working through new provisions or amendment to
with the relevant government agencies and the extant provisions in the Electoral Act,
the National Assembly to anchor them in 2022. Two of these recommendations were
law either by new provisions or amendment partially adopted and six were not adopted.
to the electoral legal framework. Overall, 128 out of 178 or 72% of the
recommendations were implemented.
Based on this categorisation, 107 of
the 141 recommendations requiring Among the major recommendations
administrative action in the Commission’s implemented through administrative
operations, processes and procedures actions by the Commission were:
were pursued and mostly implemented,
while seven were partially implemented a. Establishment of sub-zonal stores in
and 27 were not implemented. Out of Kano and Lagos to ease the logistic
the 25 recommendations that needed challenges in the storage, distribution
to be implemented through extensive and deployment of electoral and related
consultations with relevant stakeholders, materials;
including political parties, civil society
organisations, security and regulatory

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

b. Renovation of some of the Commission’s framework, ensure a secured electoral

buildings, offices, and stores nationwide; environment and the expansion of the
scope, latitude, and dissemination of
c. Proper identification and geo- voter education messages; and
referencing of all PUs and RAs
nationwide; e. Review of the Memorandum of
Understanding (MoUs) with key
d. Acquisition and deployment of new stakeholders on the timely and effective
technologies to accommodate on-line implementation of electoral activities.
voter registration; and
The major recommendations implemented
e. Enforcement of Section 225 A of by the introduction of new provisions
the Fourth Alteration to the 1999 or amendment to the electoral legal
Constitution relating to the status of framework, especially the Electoral Act,
registered political parties. 2022 were:

The major recommendations implemented a. Strengthening the mechanisms for

through Commission’s consultations and campaign finance regulations and
engagements with relevant stakeholders monitoring;
included:
b. Early release of funds to the Commission
a. Creation of additional 56,872 new PUs for the conduct of a general election;
nationwide, thus increasing the number
of PUs from 119,974 to 176,846; c. Increasing the time-line for the conduct
of party primaries for the nomination
b. Relocation of 749 inappropriately of candidates and the submission of
located PUs away from private the list and other details of nominated
properties, royal palaces, and places candidates for election;
of religious worship to public spaces
accessible to all citizens; d. Empowering the Commission on
modalities for the conduct of an election,
c. Engagement with State Governments transmission of election result and to
through the National Economic review the declaration of an election
Council (NEC) on the renovation and result and return of a candidate; and
rehabilitation of public buildings used
for electoral purposes; e. Strengthening of the regulations
governing the appointment and
d. Collaboration with relevant accreditation of agents by political
stakeholders to promote their buy-in parties.
on the introduction and deployment
of election technologies, advocate for
desirable reform of the electoral legal

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Box 3: Recommendations of the Post-Election Review Meetings

The 178 recommendations were categorised into three broad area. Based on this
categorisation, 107 of the 141 recommendations requiring administrative action in
the Commission’s operations, processes and procedures were pursued and mostly
implemented, while seven were partially implemented and 27 were not implemented.
Out of the 25 recommendations that needed to be implemented through extensive
consultations with relevant stakeholders, including political parties, civil society
organisations, security and regulatory agencies, the media and other non-state actors,
17 were implemented, two were partially implemented, while six were not implemented.
Lastly, four of the 12 recommendations that needed to be addressed by an amendment
to the electoral legal framework were fully implemented through new provisions
or amendment to the extant provisions in the Electoral Act, 2022. Two of these
recommendations were partially adopted and six were not adopted overall, 128 out of
178 or 72% of the recommendations were implemented.

2.2. Review of the 2017 – 2.2.1 Electoral Legal Framework

2021 Strategic Plan (SP), The electoral legal framework is not only
Strategic Plan of Action at the core of the operations of all Election
(SPA) and Formulation of Management Bodies (EMBs), but also the
canvass on which the entire electoral and
the 2022 – 2026 Strategic democratic processes depend. It determines
Plan (SP) and Strategic the nature, eligibility, and vehicles for
Plan Implementation political contests, outlining here in broad
terms, and there in more specific terms,
Programme (SPIP) the processes, procedures, time-lines, and
sanctions for political and electoral activities.
As part of the preparations for the In Nigeria, the electoral legal framework
2023 General Election, the Commission consists of the relevant provisions of the
developed the 2022-2026 Strategic Plan Constitution of the Federal Republic of
(SP) and Strategic Plan Implementation Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral
Programme (SPIP). In doing so, the Act, 2022 and regulations and guidelines
Commission undertook a comprehensive of the Commission detailing more explicitly,
review of the 2017-2021 Strategic Plan and the provisions of both the Constitution and
Programme of Action to appraise the level Electoral Act. The Electoral Act, 2022 is a
of implementation of the 47 key actions product of several attempts, since 2012 by
and over 650 activities and identified the the Commission and various stakeholders
major challenges that militated against to reform some of its provisions to improve
the full realisation of the Plan. These are the legal framework for the conduct of
categorised into five thematic areas as elections. The following sections provide
follows: - a brief history of the attempts at reforms
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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

ending with summary of 10 key provisions 2.2.1.3. Registration and Regulation

of the 2022 Act. of Political Parties and Candidate
Nomination Processes
2.2.1.1. Delayed Amendments to the The registration of political parties, the
Substantive Legislation monitoring of their operations including
When the 2017-2021 SP and SPIP were the nomination of candidates and the
approved by the Commission in 2017, there submission of the list of such candidates
was uncertainty as to the outcome of the flows from the electoral legal framework. It
proposed amendments to the 2010 electoral was evident that many political parties did
legal framework submitted to the National not demonstrate sufficient knowledge on
Assembly in 2012, 2014 and 2018. The fluid the extant legal requirements for nomination
situation meant that the Commission had to of candidates and in some cases out-rightly
rely on the 2010 Electoral Act (as amended) breached either the provisions of the legal
in developing the plan and this impacted framework or even their own constitutions
negatively on the review of subsisting and guidelines. Some of the parties
regulations, guidelines, and manuals for the sponsored candidates that did not emerge
conduct of elections. Not only did it prevent from valid primaries which often resulted
the early development of these regulations, in litigation in which the Commission was
guidelines, and manuals, it also hindered the always joined as a nominal defendant.
effective planning and delivery of certain Furthermore, many of the political parties
processes and procedures, particularly kept poor records of their statutory
those around electoral technology. books and did not observe internal party
democracy, had difficulty in maintaining a
membership register, all of which severely
2.2.1.2. Electoral Dispute
tasked the Commission’s capacity to
Adjudication
regulate their activities, especially around
The plan was also impacted by the numerous campaign finance regulations.
electoral disputes before, during and after
the General Election. Of key significance 2.2.1.4. Prosecution of Electoral
was the number of cases and incidents Offenders
of conflicting judgements from Courts
of coordinate jurisdiction on the same or The Commission has an important but
similar facts before them on both pre- and severely limited role in the prosecution of
post-election challenges. The development electoral offenders. The power of arrest
gave the inadvertent impression that the and investigation of such offenders resides
elections were poorly resourced or planned, with the Police. In several instances, the
which reflected negatively on the image of Investigating Police Officers (IPOs) are
the Commission. frequently transferred out of the jurisdiction
or assigned to other duties thereby delaying
or stalling the investigative process. This
often results in the late transmission of case

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

files to the Commission for prosecution and obtain and present necessary exhibits from
difficulty in securing attendance of ad-hoc State offices during trial.
electoral staff as witnesses and inability to

Box 4: Monitoring Political Parties and Challenges

The registration of political parties, the monitoring of their operations including the
nomination of candidates and the submission of the list of such candidates flows from the
electoral legal framework. It was evident that many political parties did not demonstrate
sufficient knowledge on the extant legal requirements for nomination of candidates
and in some cases out-rightly breached either the provisions of the legal framework or
even their own constitutions and guidelines. Some of the parties sponsored candidates
that did not emerge from valid primaries which often resulted in litigation in which
the Commission was always joined as a nominal defendant. Furthermore, many of the
political parties kept poor records of their statutory books and did not observe internal
party democracy, had difficulty in maintaining a membership register, all of which
severely tasked the Commission’s capacity to regulate their activities, especially around
campaign finance regulations.

2.2.2. Operational Challenges engagements, and enhancing the security

of electoral personnel and materials as the
The conduct of elections and the sections below indicate.
management of an electoral process are no
easy tasks especially in a country like Nigeria 2.2.2.1. Logistics Planning and
with complex geo-spatial and socio-political Support
contexts. The sheer number of electoral
constituencies, polling units, registered The elaborate logistic requirements for the
voters, and difficult terrains coupled with implementation of the 2017-2021 SP and
poor infrastructure makes the organisation SPA were challenged by several issues,
of elections to always pose an operational prominent of which is transportation. To
challenge. These challenges are not address this problem, the Commission
insurmountable, and in successive Electoral entered an MoU with the National Union
Cycles, the Commission has taken active of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and
steps to address these through systematic the National Association of Road Transport
planning, deployment of technology, Owners (NARTO). However, the non-
training and capacity building, stakeholder enforcement of some provisions of the MoU

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

in the contractual arrangement between the GSM Networks, which affected smooth
INEC State/FCT offices in some jurisdiction communication for electoral operations. It
led to delays in moving electoral personnel also emerged that the Commission has no
and materials, especially on Election Day. system for periodic audit of its equipment
This is in addition to the problem of non- and facilities due to non-availability of an
activation of all RACs and access to difficult efficient inventory management system.
terrains that continue to impede timely
deployment and retrieval of such personnel 2.2.2.3. Electoral Staff Management
and materials. The timely production,
procurement, distribution, and deployment Electoral staff recruitment, training,
of both sensitive and non-sensitive election deployment, and remuneration remained
materials were equally affected by the challenged throughout the period of the
overtly centralised procurement planning, plan and could rightly be termed a recurring
storage, distribution and retrieval processes. one. The number of ad-hoc staff required
for conduct of electoral exercises especially
2.2.2.2. Infrastructural Support General Election is enormous leaving the
Commission constantly dependent on other
Weak infrastructural support for the 2017- agencies. The short-list of such persons
2021 SP and SPA affected implementation is often not presented timely enough for
of the plans, resulting in poor management effective training. Training for election
of RACs which served as staging posts for duty which takes place over a shorter and
electoral operations. This created leakages, inadequate time-line often lacks basic
non-compliance and losses of certain materials and takes place in unconducive
reusable materials. Local Government Area classroom environment in some instances.
Offices were reportedly overstretched with Consequently, some of the deployed
obsolete electoral stores items making staff from such crashed cascade training
it difficult and sometimes impossible to exhibit poor technical and process skills in
receive new materials. Some ICT equipment undertaking their roles and responsibilities
and facilities were reportedly either on Election Day. In addition, there were
outdated due to constant technological reports of alleged substitution of trained
innovations and developments or lacking staff prior to commencement of elections
proper maintenance. Certain critical ICT which further compounded the situation.
infrastructure lacked effective power The Electoral Institute is yet to operationalise
backups which had implication for seamless its e-library services nor received required
data migration and consolidation and synergy from other relevant departments of
the periodic installation of appropriate the Commission and to establish a robust
upgrades without interruption. Internet database management system to support
and Intranet network capacity and use effective delivery of e-training of electoral
at the Headquarters and the State/FCT staff.
Offices remain poor and epileptic, while
several locations for the Commission’s
activities were yet to be fully covered by

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

2.2.2.4. Election Security quarterly tracking of the output from

the activities being undertaken while
Securing elections has its own unique evaluation was reserved for the end of the
challenges as the security agencies in programme period. Many activity holders
charge of election security are not subject did not use the KPIs to monitor their activity
to the control of the Commission. This outputs and outcomes. The COVID-19
challenge is not limited to physical security Pandemic situation further compounded
of the premises, materials, personnel, the full implementation of the plan and its
candidates, voters, observers, and media programme of action.
but to the overall electoral process. While
the Commission has put in place the ICCES 2.2.3. Human Capital and
as an advisory body on election security, Organisational Challenges
the actual command and control of security
agents during election is outside the body
with the Police as the lead agency. Managing
2.2.3.1. Documentation, Processes
and Procedures
violence and other incidents before, during
and after elections falls squarely in the hands There is poor record keeping with respect
of the statutory security agencies. The lack to the volumes of documents in the
of full complement of security personnel Commission’s possession. Although the
required for electoral exercises, logistics for records ought to have been digitised,
moving them, prompt payment of approved but this is not the case as the document
allowances and ensuring compliance with archiving system has not been fully
the code of conduct for security agents implemented despite INEC’s Archiving and
are the major challenges with securing Documentation Policy. The Commission
elections. Basic election security training under this plan has also been unable to
and knowledge of fire prevention and control produce a biometric-based nominal roll
measures among staff and stakeholders, as of its workforce and lacks the necessary
well as the effective deployment of fire- technology for the selection, training,
fighting equipment has not been adequately deployment and tracking of both
enforced under the plan, resulting in fire permanent and ad-hoc staff to enhance
incidents both at Headquarters and some transparency and integrity of the electoral
State/FCT and LGA offices. process. The Commission’s cascade training
methodology does not meet the challenges
2.2.2.5. Compliance Monitoring of effective electoral training and require
additional resources to actualise the
Compliance monitoring and evaluation of institutionalisation of periodic and on-line
planned activities is another major challenge trainings.
encountered in the implementation of this
plan. A plan is as good as its implementation.
2.2.3.2. Training and Capacity
To this end, key performance indicators
Building
(KPIs) developed along with the plan and
annexed to it provided the template for The Commission’s job rotation or posting

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

policy designed to improve performance and

address concerns of frequent movement of
Training Officers at field office levels have
gradually been implemented. There is need
to streamline capacity building workshops,
seminars and conferences as Departments
consistently requested for them irrespective
of whether they are relevant or not. Such
capacity building efforts should be based
on proper needs assessment and should
aim at professionalizing the workforce such
that the permanent staff should reasonably
be able to undertake basic and complex INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu met with the Commis-
electoral duty assignments at short notice. sion’s Staff on 9th November 2022 to discuss welfare issues
and the need to ensure free, fair and credible 2023 General
Election.
Collaboration, team building, and
cooperation remain a major challenge to commitment to recognising and rewarding
efforts to achieve organisational results outstanding staff performance has not
across the departments and field offices. been implemented. There are continued
This is evident in activities that were complains by staff of not being registered
undertaken by lead departments or were with the National Housing Fund (NHF)
undertaken without the collaborating input and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria
of other supporting departments. (FMBN) and about non-remittance of their
monthly NHF deduction. The rigorous
The inability to conclude the organisational enforcement of the INEC Staff Conditions
change management efforts of the of Service and Rules of Procedure remain
Commission which began in 2013 challenging.
continues to impact subsequent change
plans. A change management agenda needs 2.2.4. Funding and Financing
be implemented to bring the process of Electoral Activities
plan implantation and implementation to
alignment with the vision and purpose of
2.2.4.1. Appropriation, Cash Releases
the Commission. and Budget Performance

2.2.3.3. Staff Welfare The Commission’s annual budget continues

to operate on “Envelope System” template
The delay in processing staff promotions, provided by the Budget Office through
entitlements, and non-inclusion of retired budget call circulars. The approach
staff in the INECPRES portal featured as a sometimes delays the appropriation process,
challenge. The periodic review of honoraria and impact on the ability of the Commission
and allowances for electoral duty to reflect to fund some of its key activities on demand.
current economic realities and a refreshed For example, some of the unperformed

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

activities were attributed to lack of funding 2.2.5. Communication

approval. Furthermore, there are hardly
any in-house tools for effective budget The Commission recognised the important
performance monitoring either by Finance role of communication both internally and
and Account or Planning and Monitoring externally and accordingly formulated a
Departments. The Commission’s Annual communication policy. A major challenge
Financial Statement is often delayed to effective implementation of the Plan is
or issued in arrears due to non-audited the need for constant and uninterrupted
compliance reports that could attract public horizontal and vertical communication
accounts committee sanctions. Additionally, among its various officials and continuous
the Commission is yet to fully implement engagement with all relevant and
the IPSAS Accounting Manual. stakeholders.

2.2.4.2. Procurement Planning and 2.2.5.1. Internal Communication

Approval Processes
This involves communication between
Procurement challenges impacted the leadership, senior management, and
not only the contracting process, but field offices at all levels necessary for
also the operationalisation of planned understanding the vision and mission
activities of the Commission. The design, statement of the Commission. It has a direct
procurement, storage, distribution, and impact on collaborative team-building
the rest of the operational chain were efforts and employee engagement. It is
affected by problematic procurement vertical when information flows from top
time-lines. The Procurement Department to bottom and feedback flows from bottom
which managed the entire procurement upwards. It is horizontal when it flows across
planning processes was over stretched to organs and departments. Effective internal
its limits in the run-up to the 2019 General communication improves productivity,
Election. Quality control became such enhances collaborative teamwork among
a challenge so much so that necessary Departments and boosts organisational
stress tests could not be carried out on growth and learning. This plan was
some critical equipment and infrastructure challenged by the poor presence of these
before delivery and deployment to field drivers of organisational performance. The
with negative consequences. Contractors workforce has a limited understanding of
and vendors reportedly breached their the extant communication policy resulting
contractual obligations during the tight in low synergy among the Departments
window to supply some not-fit-for purpose with observable territoriality.
consumables and material. The price
intelligence guide often does not reflect 2.2.5.2. External Communication
the market trends and the Department had
difficulty in securing the services of trainers Sustained stakeholder engagement and
from the Bureau for Public Procurement effective use of traditional and new media
(BPP) to further strengthen the capacity of platforms have proved useful in external
its officers.
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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

communication. This is in addition to a performance scorecard system or high

structured engagement with the leadership level management dashboard for constant
of political parties, security agencies, monitoring and reporting on the plan
CSOs, the Media, Voters, Development implementation; vii) Institutionalisation
Partners, Election Observer Missions, and of the Election Project Plan (EPP) tool to
others. The Commission had utilised its make the planning and implementation
SERVICOM unit, FOIA Desk and the ICCC of general elections more deliberate and
platform to further engage with the public predictable; viii) Alignment of the budget
albeit at its own cost. Improving voter turn- plan based funding pattern to strengthen
out at elections with the associated issue the effective implementation of the Plan’s
of unclaimed PVCs remains a challenge strategic objectives; ix) Pursuit of the full
for the Commission’s strategic planning integration and operationalisation of the
efforts. The Commission had to manage three monitoring platforms of EMS, EOSC
the issue of media owners’ interest vis-à-vis and ERM into the EMSC as approved by the
coverage of its activities. The policy of NIN- Commission; and x) Constant and continuous
SIM connectivity impacted on some of the engagement with relevant stakeholders to
Commission’s public outreach platforms. resolve operational, technological, logistics,
security and jurisprudential challenges.
2.2.6. Lessons Learnt from the
Review of the 2017 - 2021 Strategic Consequent upon these lessons, the
Plan (SP) and Strategic Plan of Commission took some measures that
Action (SPA) were aimed at achieving defined strategic
objectives and in improving the level of
Notwithstanding the challenges recorded implementation of planned activities in the
in the implementation of the 2017 – 2021 formulation of the 2022 – 2026 SP and
SP and SPA, some important lessons were SPIP. These included: -
learnt that proved useful in the formulation
of the 2022 – 2026 SP and SPIP. These a. Strengthening administrative processes
are: i) Early planning to achieve the Plan’s to ensure cooperation among
strategic objectives in order to enhance the Commission’s Departments and
integrity of the electoral process and limit Directorates with the institution of
human errors; ii) Adherence to regulatory appropriate penalty for non-compliance.
compliance for political parties campaign
finance; iii) Enforcement of quality control in b. Prioritisation of the implementation of
the procurement processes; iv) Addressing activities with adequate funding.
the identified gaps in skills, knowledge
c. Elimination of noticeable delays in
and processes; v) Improved capacity of
granting approval for implementation
senior management staff to take ownership
and funding of activities.
and provide leadership in holding officers
accountable for performance, under-
d. Review of the application of the
performance or outright non-performance
Procurement Act to INEC given its
of planned activities; vi) Establishment of

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

peculiar circumstances as an Election the diligent implementation and execution

Management Body implementing time- of roles, activities, and time-lines to achieve
bound activities. administrative and operational efficiency
and cost optimization, it encouraged
e. Prioritise the digitalisation of key inter-and intra-departmental synergy and
management operational processes and considerably reduced competition and
procedures. rivalry over territoriality within and between
the Departments and Directorates of the
f. Tweak the Strategic Objectives in line Commission.
with current goals and realities.
Following from the example of the 2015
g. Implementation Strategy to include EPP, the 2019 EPP ensured that the General
implantation processes for ownership Election was planned as a specific project
and buy-in by all stakeholders. having Commission-wide activities that
identified the key factors for the successful
h. Ensure the full integration of the conduct of credible elections. It was on this
Commission’s monitoring platforms and basis that specific roles and responsibilities
the effective operationalisation of the were assigned to task holders in the various
Election Management Support Centre. Departments and Directorates. It is also
important to note that unlike the 2015
i. Conduct of Change Management EPP whose workability was met with some
Workshop. level of scepticism and even resistance,
the 2019 EPP was more widely accepted
j. Effective and periodic monitoring and
and acknowledged as an effective project
evaluation of the SP and SPIP.
planning and implementation instrument
for the management of elections. This is
2.3. Review of the 2019 perhaps attributable to the fact that the Plan
made serious effort at addressing persistent
and the Formulation of internal administrative and departmental
the 2023 Election Project fencing and territoriality in the planning,
Plans (EPP) management, conduct and monitoring of
electoral activities. It also provided clear
The development of the first Election indications of the roles and responsibilities
Project Plan (EPP) as comprehensive of every Department, Directorate and Unit
plan for the management and conduct of the Commission in the conduct and
of elections in Nigeria was established delivery of the election. With an overarching
by the Commission for the 2015 General objective of conducting a credible and
Election. The Plan enabled the Commission peaceful general election and based on six
to develop and institute unified planning specific objectives, the Plan was anchored
templates, time-lines, performance on 14 cardinal assumptions consisting of
indicators and benchmarks for undertaking nine Principal Business Areas (PBAs), 14
its electoral activities and implementing its broad activity areas, 231 activity areas and
decisions. This in turn not only facilitated 948 medium level and thousands of lower-
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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

level tasks as shown in Table 2.1. These were closely monitored and supported. The
activities and tasks were categorised into effective implementation of the 2019 EPP
the pre-election, election and post-election is clearly demonstrated in its significant
phases and disaggregated and rendered into contribution to the successful conduct of
a set of implementable, time-bound, and the 2019 general election.
owner-identifiable tasks whose execution

Table 2.1: Activity Areas in the 2019 EPP

S/N Activity Category Activity Areas Medium Level Tasks
1 Legal Framework 3 6
2 Electoral Boundaries & Delimitation 16 6
3 Recruitment of Personnel 1 6
4 Logistics 30 182
5 Security 11 30
6 Staff Training 30 181
7 Voter Registration & Register Update 43 151
8 Election Observers & Other Stakeholders 4 9
9 Political Party, Candidates 5 20
10 Voter Education & Media 27 96
11 Budget, Funding & Financing 27 71
12 Pre-Election Dispute Resolution 6 13
13 Readiness Assurance 26 166
14 Election Technology Update 2 11
Total 231 948

The 2023 Election Project Plan is a and delivery of the election. Specifically, it
comprehensive and in-depth project plan for articulated the administrative, operational,
the conduct of the 2023 General Election. financial, and environmental requirements
It provided the Commission and other for the delivery of the election into 29
electoral stakeholders with the template executive and 1,462 elective legislative
for the execution of roles, activities and positions nationwide.
time-lines for the planning, organisation,

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Box 5: Review of the 2019 EPP

Following from the example of the 2015 EPP, the 2019 EPP ensured that the General Election
was planned as a specific project having Commission-wide activities that identified the key
factors for the successful conduct of credible elections. It was on this basis that specific roles and
responsibilities were assigned to task holders in the various Departments and Directorates. It is
also important to note that unlike the 2015 EPP whose workability was met with some level of
scepticism and even resistance, the 2019 EPP was more widely accepted and acknowledged as
an effective project planning and implementation instrument for the management of elections.
This is perhaps attributable to the fact that the Plan made serious effort at addressing persistent
internal administrative and departmental fencing and territoriality in the planning, management,
conduct and monitoring of electoral activities. It also provided clear indications of the roles and
responsibilities of every Department, Directorate and Unit of the Commission in the conduct
and delivery of the election.

The plan was formulated by a 33-member situation where collation and transmission
Election Project Plan Committee (EPPC) of results are transparent, seamless, and
inaugurated by the Chairman on 10th June credible, the 2023 EPP made seven critical
2021. The Committee was charged with recommendations with the required actions
the responsibility of formulating the plan to guide the implementation of the plan.
and developed the plan over a period of These are: -
six months from June to December 2021.
The Committee was given the mandate to: a. Implementing electoral legal framework
i) Undertake a review of the 2019 EPP; ii) provisions and time-lines.
Develop the 2023 EPP; and iii) Develop
the required framework for the periodic b. Timely procurement of election
monitoring and evaluation of the approved materials and services.
plan. In doing this, the Committee relied
on three key documents. These are: i) c. Surveillance of the implications of
The 2017-2021 Strategic Plan (SP) and the COVID-19 pandemic and other
Strategic Programme of Action (SPA); ii) The emergencies on electoral activities.
2022 - 2026 Strategic Plan and Strategic
d. Inventory, storage, and state of election
Plan Implementation Programme (SPIP);
materials.
and iii) The report of the Review of the
2019 General Election which included 178
e. Activation of the EMSC performance
recommendations for enhancing the quality
management dashboard.
and delivery of the 2023 General Election
and other future elections. f. Change management training and
institutional capacity building.
Against the background that the success of
an election is determined by the extent to g. Enhancing internal and external
which a large percentage of polling units open communication.
on schedule on Election Day, followed by a
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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Chapter 3
Pre-2023 General
Election Activities

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

3.1 Conduct of Off-Season State off-cycle Governorship election

on the 16th of July 2022. The elections
Elections and Lessons comprised of seven off-cycle/end of tenure
Learnt governorship elections, six chairmanship
and 62 Councillorship Area Council election
In between the 2019 and 2023 General in the Federal Capital Territory, 36 Court-
Elections, the Commission conducted ordered re-run elections because of the
elections to fill executive and legislative judgement of the Election Petition Tribunals
positions in 145 constituencies nationwide. and Appeal Courts and 34 by-elections
These elections held between August 2019 occasioned by the death or resignation of
and July 2022 beginning with the conduct a serving member of the National and State
of the by-election in the Pengana State Assemblies. The year-by-year distribution
Constituency of Plateau State on the 3rd and type of election conducted within this
of August 2019 and ending with the Osun period is shown in Table 3.1.

Table 3.1: Off-Cycle, Court-Ordered and Bye-Elections, 2019-2022

S/N Year Governorship Senatorial Federal State FCT Area FCT Area
District Constituency Constituency Council Councillorship
Chairman
1 2019 2 2 1 3 0 0
2 2020 2 7 13 29 0 0
3 2021 1 0 2 6 0 0
4 2022 2 0 3 4 6 62
Total 7 9 19 42 6 62

The conduct of some of these elections public safety exigencies of conducting

within the context of the prevalent global election during the health emergency.
COVID-19 Pandemic from December 2019 Apart from the huge resource requirements
to late 2020 was particularly challenging for for the conduct of these elections amidst
the Commission. In fact, the Commission funding constraints from the Federal
had to suspend all regular and non- Government, the Commission had to
essential activities from March to August contend with the issue of designing and
2020 resulting in the postponement of implementing appropriate measures and
already scheduled elections and creating strategies to protect the health and well-
uncertainties about on-coming off- being of voters, candidates, officials, and
cycle governorship election in Edo and other stakeholders involved in the electoral
Ondo States. Given the Constitutional process. This was particularly so in the
requirement for the conduct of both areas of voter registration, training, voter
elections, the Commission developed a education and stakeholder engagements,
policy on conducting elections within the Election Day operations, political party
context of the COVID-19 pandemic and activities including primaries, nomination,
deployed certain innovations to meet the and submission of list of candidates and

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

polling agents, rallies, and campaigns as well h. Deployment of appropriate electoral

as election observation and security. Some technology in all areas of electoral
of the measures and strategies include: process and election management, with
reference to voter registration, voter
a. The mandatory use of face masks/face accreditation, uploading of polling unit
covering for everyone involved in the results to the IReV, training of election
electoral process. officials and security personnel, as well
as candidate management and election
b. The provision of infra-red thermometers observation, media, and polling agent
at the registration area, LGA/Area accreditation processes to mitigate
Council and State collation centres to the health risks associated with the
measure the temperature of all electoral COVID-19 pandemic.
personnel.
i. Mandatory publication of election
c. Provision of personal protective results in every polling unit on Form
equipment for polling officials and EC60 and uploading of the image of
hand sanitisers, methylated spirit, and the Form EC8A to the IReV Portal to
ancillary items at the polling units enhance transparency.

d. Enforcement of the rules of physical j. Recruitment of persons with disability

distancing at the venue of all electoral as election officials and provision of
activities through the creation of a two- assistive voting devices such as tactile
tier queuing system and other crowd voting guide, magnifying glasses, and
control measures voter education materials in Braille to
promote inclusivity.
e. Review of the transportation matrix
for the deployment of electoral k. Addressing the issue of continued
personnel in conformity with COVID-19 overcrowding in certain polling units
requirements. despite expansion of voting access
through the migration of registered
f. Reducing the contact points in the voters from overcrowded to sparsely
handling and delivery of sensitive and populated polling units.
non-sensitive election materials
l. Reviewing and strengthening the MOU
g. Adjustment of the commencement with transport unions to include the
and closing of the voting period from Marine Transport Workers Union of
between 8:00am and 2:00pm to Nigeria to facilitate timely and efficient
8:30am and 2:30pm to accommodate forward and backward logistics for the
the necessary activities in setting up the deployment of election personnel and
polling unit. materials.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

3.2. Expansion of Voter polling units caused by increase in voting

population, emergence of new settlements
Access to Polling Units due to demographic shifts, urbanisation
etc. The boldest attempt was in 2014 when
One enduring challenge in the electoral the Commission created additional 30,027
process is the adequacy in the number of polling units that were later discarded
Polling Units and their locations across because of unfounded allegations of
the country. As the basic structure of the lop-sidedness in their distribution. This
electoral system where voters contact situation led to the introduction of Voting
the Commission during elections, it is Points (VPs)/Voting Points Settlements
important that polling units are well- (VPS) that were basically sub-units of the
organised, secure, and conducive to voters parent PU but with a poll team supervised
on Election Day. Despite the expanding by the Presiding Officer (PO). Despite this,
number of registered voters which was the issues of congestions were not totally
projected at about 50 million in 1996, resolved as there were still polling units
and rising to 60.82 million in 2003, 61.56 with over 10,000 voters with the problem
million in 2007, 68.83 million in 2015 and of congestion, delays, disruptions, violence,
84 million in 2019, the number of Polling and apathy.
Units remained fixed at 119,974. This lack of
correlation between the increasing number Following wide ranging consultations with
of registered voters and the static number all relevant stakeholders and extensive
of Polling Units has resulted in congested fieldwork by INEC officials in the State/
Polling Units on Election Day and lack of FCT and LGA/Area Council offices, the
Polling Units in many developing suburban Commission finally resolved the problem
and newly established settlements. The of expanding voter access to polling units
effects have been low voter turnout and in June 2021 by converting the 56,872
voter apathy, insecurity at the Polling Units, Voting Points and Voting Point Settlements
disruption of elections and, in the context into full-fledged Polling Units. This brought
of the COVID-19 pandemic, unsafe voting the number of Polling Units in Nigeria to
environment. 176,846 and reduced the average number
of voters per polling unit from 700 in the
The Commission has overtime tried to 2019 General Election to 529 for the 2023
manage the challenge of congestion at General Election as shown in Table 3.2.

National Commissioner,
Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu,
INEC Chairman, Prof.
Mahmood Yakubu, National
Commissioners, Barrister
Festus Okoye and Air Vice
Marshal Ahmad Mua’zu
at the unveiling of the
document on new approved
Polling Units in Abuja on
16th June 2021

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Table 3.2: Comparison of Number of Registered Voters, Number of PUs, and Average Voter Per PU, 2019
& 2023
S/N State No of No of PUs Average No of No of PUs Average
Registered in 2019 GE No of Registered in 2023 GE No of
Voters in Registered Voters In Registered
2019 Voters Per 2023 Voters Per
PU PU
1 Abia 1,932,892 2,675 723 2,120,808 4,062 522
2 Adamawa 1,973,083 2,609 756 2,196,566 4,104 535
3 Akwa-Ibom 2,119,727 2,980 711 2,357,418 4,353 542
4 Anambra 2,447,996 4,608 531 2,656,437 5,720 464
5 Bauchi 2,462,843 4,074 605 2,749,268 5,423 507
6 Bayelsa 923,182 1,804 512 1,056,862 2,244 471
7 Benue 2,480,131 3,688 672 2,777,727 5,102 544
8 Borno 2,315,956 3,932 589 2,513,281 5,071 496
9 Cross River 1,527,289 2,283 669 1,766,466 3,281 538
10 Delta 2,845,274 3,624 785 3,221,697 5,863 549
11 Ebonyi 1,459,933 1,785 818 1,597,646 2,946 542
12 Edo 2,210,534 2,627 841 2,501,081 4,519 553
13 Ekiti 909,967 2,195 415 987,647 2,445 404
14 Enugu 1,944,016 2,958 657 2,112,793 4,145 510
15 Gombe 1,394,393 2,218 629 1,575,794 2,988 527
16 Imo 2,272,293 3,523 645 2,419,922 4,758 509
17 Jigawa 2,111,106 3,527 599 2,351,298 4,522 520
18 Kaduna 3,932,492 5,101 771 4,335,208 8,012 541
19 Kano 5,457,747 8,074 676 5,921,370 11,222 528
20 Katsina 3,230,230 4,901 659 3,516,719 6,652 529
21 Kebbi 1,806,231 2,398 753 2,032,041 3,743 543
22 Kogi 1,646,350 2,548 646 1,932,654 3,508 551
23 Kwara 1,406,457 1,872 751 1,695,927 2,887 587
24 Lagos 6,570,291 8,463 776 7,060,195 13,325 530
25 Nasarawa 1,617,786 1,495 1082 1,899,244 3,256 583
26 Niger 2,390,035 3,185 750 2,698,344 4,950 545
27 Ogun 2,375,003 3,213 739 2,688,305 5,042 533
28 Ondo 1,822,346 3,009 606 1,991,344 3,933 506
29 Osun 1,680,498 3,010 558 1,954,800 3,763 519
30 Oyo 2,934,107 4,783 613 3,276,675 6,390 513
31 Plateau 2,480,455 2,631 943 2,789,528 4,989 559

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

32 Rivers 3,215,273 4,442 724 3,537,190 6,866 515

33 Sokoto 1,903,166 3,035 627 2,172,056 3,991 544
34 Taraba 1,777,105 1,912 929 2,022,374 3,597 562
35 Yobe 1,365,913 1,714 797 1,485,146 2,823 526
36 Zamfara 1,717,128 2,516 682 1,926,870 3,529 546
37 FCT 1,344,856 562 2393 1,570,307 2,822 556
Total 84,004,084 119,974 700 93,469,008 176,846 529

In addition to expanding voter access to PUs, royal palaces, 21 from Churches, nine from
the Commission also relocated 749 PUs Shrines and six from Mosques. The other
from inappropriate locations to appropriate 336 Polling Units were relocated from their
public facilities or open spaces to guarantee original location to another location for
unencumbered access for all voters. In so sundry reasons including distance, difficult
doing, the Commission removed 232 polling terrain, congestion, communal conflict, new
units from private properties, 145 from settlements, and general insecurity.

Box 6: Expansion of Voter Access to PUs

Following wide ranging consultations with all relevant stakeholders and extensive fieldwork by
INEC officials in the State/FCT and LGA/Area Council offices, the Commission finally resolved the
problem of expanding voter access to polling units in June 2021 by converting the 56,872 Voting
Points and Voting Point Settlements into full-fledged Polling Units. This brought the number of
Polling Units in Nigeria to 176,846 and reduced the average number of voters per polling unit
from 700 in the 2019 General Election to 529 for the 2023 General Election… In addition to
expanding voter access to PUs, the Commission also relocated 749 PUs from inappropriate
locations to appropriate public facilities or open spaces to guarantee unencumbered access for
all voters. In so doing, the Commission removed 232 polling units from private properties, 145
from royal palaces, 21 from Churches, nine from Shrines and six from Mosques. The other 336
Polling Units were relocated from their original location to another location for sundry reasons
including distance, difficult terrain, congestion, communal conflict, new settlements, and general
insecurity.

3.3. Voter Migration exercise from June 2021 to July 2022.

At the end of the exercise, several voters
/ De-congestion of registered into the new Polling Units, while
Overcrowded Polling Units others transferred their registrations to
them. Following the CVR exercise and the
Following the creation of additional 56,872 subsequent de-duplication process, the
new Polling Units by the Commission in configuration of the 176,846 Polling Units
June 2021, the new Polling Units were and the tentative number of registered
made available for registration during voters across the swatch of Polling Units
the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) are as shown in Table 3.3.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Table 3.3: Voter Population in PUs by Clusters of Registered Voters

S/N No Registered Voters PUs
1 0 Voter 362
2 1-50 Voters 14,590
3 51-500 Voters 77,994
4 501-999 63,212
5 1,000 – 4,999 20,633
6 5,000 – 9,999 51
7 10,000 and above 4
Grand Total 176,846

According to this categorisation, there original PUs was still overpopulated, the
are 20,688 PUs with a registered voter newly created PUs in the same location
population of 1,000 and above. This implies had very few voters in them. Consequently,
that these PUs will be overcrowded and on Election Day, hours after the new PUs
congested on Election Day without the with few voters would have completed
ability of the Commission to resort to the voting, the original Polling Units are
old method of creating Voting Points at overwhelmed with large number of voters
such PUs. Furthermore, given the available struggling to cast their vote. It was arising
number and cost of the Bimodal Voter from this observation that the Commission
Accreditation System (BVAS), deploying approved the redistribution of voters from
more systems to such overpopulated PUs the overcrowded to sparsely populated
while there are sparsely populated PUs PUs located in the same place – that is from
close by may not be feasible. Consequently, the “original mother” overcrowded PUs to
the Commission considered and approved the newly created less-populated PUs. The
the migration of voters from overcrowded final registered voters across the swatch
to sparsely populated PUs in the same of PUs for the 2023 General Election to
location. This decision was influenced in facilitate a pleasurable voting experience
part by the observation during the off- for voters and ensure minimum disruption
cycle governorship elections in Anambra, in the voting process on Election Day are as
Ekiti and Osun states. While some of the shown in Table 3.4.
Table 3.4: Voter Population in Polling Units by Clusters of Registered Voters for the 2023 General
Election
S/N State 0 Reg 1 – 50 51 – 501 – 1,000 – 5,000- 10,000 & Total
Voter 500 999 4,999 9,999 Above PUs
1 Abia 12 405 1,615 1,670 360 0 0 4,062
2 Adamawa 4 140 1,624 2,276 60 0 0 4,104
3 Akwa Ibom 0 35 1,758 2,481 79 0 0 4,353
4 Anambra 6 473 3,009 1,860 372 0 0 5,720
5 Bauchi 6 261 2,779 1,962 415 0 0 5,423

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

6 Bayelsa 2 101 1,235 836 70 0 0 2,244

7 Benue 10 168 1,923 2,906 95 0 0 5,102
8 Borno 12 307 2,523 1,872 357 0 0 5,071
9 Cross River 0 96 1,285 1,822 78 0 0 3,281
10 Delta 4 488 2,184 2,613 574 0 0 5,863
11 Ebonyi 4 266 1,034 1,450 192 0 0 2,946
12 Edo 1 94 1,882 2,301 241 0 0 4,519
13 Ekiti 0 122 1,611 686 26 0 0 2,445
14 Enugu 4 471 1,734 1,526 410 0 0 4,145
15 Gombe 0 16 1,536 1,229 206 1 0 2,988
16 Imo 38 476 1,671 2,486 87 0 0 4,758
17 Jigawa 3 90 2,074 2,183 172 0 0 4,522
18 Kaduna 8 419 2,913 4,395 276 1 0 8,012
19 Kano 10 965 4,021 5,525 701 0 0 11,222
20 Katsina 12 364 2,703 3,231 342 0 0 6,652
21 Kebbi 5 50 1,534 2,058 96 0 0 3,743
22 Kogi 0 17 1,618 1,657 215 0 1 3,508
23 Kwara 1 72 963 1,733 118 0 0 2,887
24 Lagos 3 1116 4,994 6,407 799 6 0 13,325
25 Nasarawa 11 129 1,051 1,956 105 4 0 3,256
26 Niger 10 133 1,944 2,722 141 0 0 4,950
27 Ogun 0 29 2,618 2,006 387 2 0 5,042
28 Ondo 2 199 1,816 1,719 197 0 0 3,933
29 Osun 0 69 1,712 1,939 43 0 0 3,763
30 Oyo 0 178 2,971 3,019 221 1 0 6,390
31 Plateau 6 372 2,103 1,718 790 0 0 4,989
32 Rivers 1 702 3,119 2,317 723 4 0 6,866
33 Sokoto 8 83 1,585 2,261 54 0 0 3,991
34 Taraba 34 361 1,456 1,148 598 0 0 3,597
35 Yobe 11 291 1,150 1,100 271 0 0 2,823
36 Zamfara 1 50 1,446 1,929 103 0 0 3,529
37 FCT 11 446 935 1,180 249 1 0 2,822
Total 240 10,054 74,129 82,179 10,223 20 1 176,846

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

3.4. Deployment of related documents, reports, articles, and

research papers.
New Technologies in the
Electoral Process URL: https://vlibrary.inecnigeria.org

The choice, pilot-testing, procurement, and iii. INEC On-line CVR Portal designed as
deployment of electoral technology was an on-line platform for the purpose of
crucial to the conduct of the 2023 General Continuous Voter Registration
Election. It is for this purpose that the
Commission took an early decision on the URL: https://cvr.inecnigeria.org
choice, role, and scope of the technology
to be deployed for the election. Acutely iv. CVR Live Locator designed as a system
aware that political actors will often try to that enables Voter Registration Officers
undermine the electoral process by attacking identify a specific coordinate and location
the deployment of electoral technology where an IVED machine is deployed for
and casting doubts on its suitability and the purpose of voter registration and
functionality, the Commission engaged notify prospective registrants where an
with electoral stakeholders, especially the IVED machine is located and available
leaders of political parties and voters to for registration.
familiarise them with the range of chosen
URL: https://locator.inecnigeria.org
technologies.
v. INEC Candidate Nomination Portal
3.4.1. Portals
designed for the purpose of candidate
management whereby political parties
To automate certain aspects of the electoral
can obtain, complete and submit the
process and procedures, the Commission
required forms on-line for nominating
developed and deployed the following
candidates for elections.
on-line portals towards the 2023 General
Election:
URL: https://icnp.inecnigeria.org
i. INEC e-learning Portal designed as a
vi. INEC Media Accreditation Portal
hybrid training platform to enable the
designed for the management of the
Commission to train Ad-Hoc staff on-line
accreditation of Media Organizations
and to provide an interactive on-demand
seeking to cover Election Day activities.
training resources and assessment for all
category of Ad-Hoc staff. URL: https://imap.inecnigeria.org
URL: https://elearning.inecnigeria.org vii. Technical Staff Management System
designed to manage the deployment of
ii. INEC Virtual Library designed as an on-
technical staff (RATECHs) for Election
line portal that enables the Commission
Day support of BVAS and other
to digitise, catalogue and index electoral
technologies deployed for Election.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

URL: https://itsms.inecnigeria.org

viii.INEC Observer Management System

designed to manage the accreditation of
Election Observers

URL: https://observergroups.inecnigeria.
org

ix. INEC Political Party Agent Management

System designed to manage the
Hon. Chairman, INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu (3rd left),
accreditation of Political Party Agents. National Commissioners Prof Okechukwu Ibeanu (left), Mrs
May Agbamuche-Mbu, Mr Festus Okoye and Air Vice Marshal
(rtd) Ahmad Mu’azu during the unveiling of the INEC Voter
URL: https://pollingagents.inecnigeria.org Enrolment Device and Bimodal Voter Accreditation System at
the INEC headquarters, Abuja on 24th June 2021.

Election Day for the accreditation of voters

and the uploading of the polling unit result
to the IReV portal.

The IVED is transformed into the Bimodal

Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) on
Election Day to replace the Smart Card
Reader. Designed to improve and strengthen
the voter verification, authentication and
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu visits the venue of the
accreditation process, the devise was first
Training for Officials of Political Parties on the use of INEC’s deployed in September 2021 for the Isoko
Candidate Nomination Portal for the 2023 General Election in
Abuja. South I State Constituency election in Delta
State. Thereafter, the devise was deployed
in Governorship elections in Anambra,
3.4.2. IVED/BVAS Ekiti and Osun State as well as in the FCT
Area Council elections and other bye-
The INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED) is a
elections. The deployment of the devise in
new registration machine designed by INEC
these elections enabled the Commission to
in-house Engineers around the concept of
appraise and apprise its functionality and
a Tablet computer to replace the old, lap-
address the challenges associated with the
top based Direct Data Capture Machine
use of such electoral technology.
(DDCM). The new IVED which is compatible
with the Android Operating System and
3.4.3. IReV
integrated to the on-line registration portal
is more compact, mobile, and efficient than A key provision in the Electoral Act 2022
the DDCM. It can also be deployed on is Section 50(2) which empowers the

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Commission to transmit election results in Unit Election Result Sheet) to the portal.
accordance with the procedure determined The portal was first deployed on a pilot
by it. Prior to the enactment of the new basis during the Nasarawa Central State
Act and convinced that the introduction of Constituency election in August 2020 and
technology in result management is better thereafter in 105 other bye- and Off-Cycle
than the best entirely manual process, the elections in various constituencies across
Commission has been exploring ways of the country. The Commission utilised the
improving the integrity of the collation opportunity of these elections to refine the
and results transmission process. In the platform in uploading polling unit results
run-up to the 2023 General Election, the on the portal on Election Day to increase
Commission developed and deployed public confidence in the electoral process.
the INEC Results Viewing (IReV) portal For the 2023 General Election, results
(www.inecelectionresults.ng or www. were unloaded to IReV for the presidential
inecelectionresults.com) as a dedicated and national assembly elections as well as
web portal to enable the public to view the governorship and State Constituency
uploaded polling unit results as soon as Elections. Table 3.5 shows uploads of
they are finalised on Election Day. This the 2023 presidential election results
is done by uploading the scanned copies nationwide.
of the completed Form EC8A (Polling

Table 3.5: State by State Data of Uploads of Presidential Election Results to the IReV Portal
S/N State Total No. of PUs PUs with Result Percentage
1 Abia 4,062 3,634 89.46%
2 Adamawa 4,104 4,071 99.20%
3 Akwa Ibom 4,353 4,231 97.20%
4 Anambra 5,720 4,776 83.50%
5 Bauchi 5,423 5,413 99.82%
6 Bayelsa 2,244 2,166 96.52%
7 Benue 5,102 4,795 93.98%
8 Borno 5,071 5,032 99.23%
9 Cross River 3,281 3,280 99.97%
10 Delta 5,863 5,674 96.78%
11 Ebonyi 2,946 2,922 99.19%
12 Edo 4,519 4,511 99.82%
13 Ekiti 2,445 2,445 100.00%
14 Enugu 4,145 4,143 99.95%
15 Fct 2,822 2,763 97.91%
16 Gombe 2,988 2,985 99.90%
17 Imo 4,758 4,138 86.97%
18 Jigawa 4,522 4,290 94.87%
19 Kaduna 8,012 7,599 94.85%
20 Kano 11,222 10,117 90.15%

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

21 Katsina 6,652 6,574 98.83%

22 Kebbi 3,743 3,483 93.05%
23 Kogi 3,508 3,391 96.66%
24 Kwara 2,887 2,472 85.63%
25 Lagos 13,325 13,217 99.19%
26 Nasarawa 3,256 3,129 96.10%
27 Niger 4,950 4,861 98.20%
28 Ogun 5,042 4,727 93.75%
29 Ondo 3,933 3,929 99.90%
30 Osun 3,763 3,549 94.31%
31 Oyo 6,390 5,813 90.97%
32 Plateau 4,989 4,980 99.82%
33 Rivers 6,866 5,973 86.99%
34 Sokoto 3,991 3,422 85.74%
35 Taraba 3,597 3,155 87.71%
36 Yobe 2,823 2,715 96.17%
37 Zamfara 3,529 3,068 86.94%
Total 176,846 167,443 94.68%

3.4.4. Geolocation of Polling Units the Commission’s staff from headquarters

in collaboration with officials in the State
As the location where votes are cast by and Local Government Offices worked to
voters on Election Day, PUs constitute physically locate each of the 176,846 polling
the primary structure for elections in units across the country. In the process,
Nigeria. The exact location of the 176,846 the GPS coordinates of the polling units
PUs nationwide is not only important for were captured, registered into the satellite,
the purpose of electoral planning, timely and overlaid on GIS map to build requisite
delivery of election materials and opening database to facilitate their easy location by
of polls on Election Day, it is also very electoral stakeholders on Election Day. The
useful for voters and election observers. In exercise was particularly useful in assisting
the run-up to the 2023 General Election, voters to locate their PU using Google
Maps.

Figure 3.1: Geolocation of Polling Units

Nationwide (Green Dots Represent PUs)

To view the map, visit: www.electionspotter.com

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

3.4.5. Mock Accreditation Senatorial Districts nationwide. During

the exercise which was observed by
In preparation for the 2023 General party agents, journalists, and civil society
Election, the Commission undertook organisations, it was established that the
a mock accreditation exercise to test BVAS successfully accredited all voters that
the functionality of the Bimodal Voter came out either through the Fingerprint or
Accreditation System (BVAS). This was Facial and authentication system in a period
first undertaken on the 28th of May and of between 20 and 30 seconds.
the 4th of July 2022 in the run-up to the
Ekiti and Osun off-cycle governorship One of the crucial lessons learnt from the
election and then nationwide on the 4th exercise include the need to ensure that
of February 2023. Apart from affording the only well-trained personnel are recruited
Commission the opportunity to showcase and deployed as Presiding and Assistant
the system nationwide, the exercise was Presiding Officers at the polling units and
designed to assess its operational capacity as Local Government and Registration Area
under varied conditions and environment. Technical Support staff and Supervisors.
During the February functionality test, the Prior to such deployment, the Commission
mock exercise was specifically designed to must provide such personnel with adequate
assess the effectiveness of the system in training and retraining on the proper
the aftermath of the hardware and software handling and use of the BVAS for the purpose
improvements after the Osun Governorship of voter accreditation and uploading of
Election. election results. Another lesson learnt is the
importance of conducting an integrity test
The mock exercise was conducted in 436 on all the BVAS to ensure that only fully
selected Polling Units in two (2) Local functional and properly configured systems
Government Areas in each of the 109 are deployed for the general election.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu (right), National Commissioner, Prof. Sani Kallah (3rd right) and other staff members watch as a voter
undergoes a Mock Accreditation process in Ekiti State on 30th May, 2022

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Chapter 4
Planning for the
2023 General
Election

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

The 2023 General Election was one of the entire electoral process identified by the
the, if not the best, planned election in Commission and other stakeholders. The
the history of the Commission. Leveraging New Act introduced about 80 new provisions
on well set practices by the Commission addressing wide ranging issues such as
since the 1999 General Election, the the independence of the Commission, the
planning for the election began soon after time-frame for the publication of notice of
the conduct of the 2019 General Election. elections, the conduct and management of
Drawing on the EMSC’s three monitoring political party primaries and campaigns, the
zones – Green, Amber and Red – planning development and management of electronic
for 2023 began immediately after 2019 databases for the register of voters as well as
through the implementation of some of the for election results, the power of reviewing
monitoring mechanisms such as process election results and declarations by the
reviews and stakeholder engagements, Commission, clarification of the meaning
electoral materials audit, identification of over-voting, the involvement of political
and sorting of reusable election materials, appointees in partisan politics, the death
assessment of storage facilities, assessment of candidates in the middle of an election,
of electoral materials requirements for the the deployment of election technology,
2023 General Election, the review and as well as the management of results, to
formulation of planning documents, the mention but a few. To appreciate the far-
review of regulations/guidelines/manuals reaching contributions of the 2022 Act, it is
and related operational documents for important to briefly recount the 2010 legal
elections, identification of proposed areas framework and some of its constraints.
for electoral reforms, the review of old and
formulation of new KPIs based on the new 4.1.1. The 2010 Legal Framework
planning documents for the monitoring of
the election, and related issues. The Electoral Act of 2010 was the governing
law for elections in Nigeria from 2010 to
2022. It was a significant piece of legislation
4.1. The Legal Framework: that introduced several reforms into the
The Electoral Act 2022 electoral process, including provisions on
funding, independence of the Commission,
and the Electoral Process conduct of political party nomination
processes and election campaigns amongst
The legal framework for the 2023 General
others. The 2010 Electoral Act was amended
Election played a significant role in ensuring
about five times by the 6th National
integrity, transparency, and credibility of
Assembly to enable the Commission to
the process. Passed into law on the 25th
conduct a fresh voter registration exercise
of February 2022, the Electoral Act 2022,
as well as the General Election in February
not only provided an enhanced electoral
and March of 2011. However, since the
legal framework for conduct of election in
2011 General Election, the Commission
Nigeria, but also sought to address several
and other stakeholders in the political and
lingering challenges to the management of
electoral processes have identified several

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

gaps and challenges in the 2010 Act that By far one of the most significant new
needed to be addressed to enhance the provisions in the 2022 Act is section 29(1)
credibility, transparency, and inclusivity that made it mandatory for political parties
of elections. The Commission then made to submit the list of their validly nominated
comprehensive submissions to both the 7th candidates to the Commission 6 months
and 8th National Assemblies for the reform or 180 days to a general election. This
of the legal framework. These reforms is a very significant provision as it gives
were not effected during the 2011-2015 the Commission sufficient time to finalise
and 2015-2019 Electoral Cycles. It was the printing and deployment of balloting
only during the 2019-2023 Electoral Cycle instruments to locations for the conduct
that some of these suggestions for reform of a general election. The new Act had
were incorporated into the existing legal similarly extended the time-frame for
framework as the new 2022 Electoral Act. campaigns by political parties, providing
that party campaigns shall begin 150 days
4.1.2. Overview of the Electoral Act, before polling day and end 24 hours prior
2022 to Election Day.

The Electoral Act of 2022 was passed Other novel provisions include the provision
essentially to address some of the to establish a central database of electronic
identified weaknesses and gaps in the register of voters and electronic national
2010 Act, thereby providing a better and register of election results (Section 62[2]); a
more encompassing framework for the subsection on over-voting that now defines
conduct and management of elections over-voting in terms of the discrepancy
and the electoral process. Some of these between the number of accredited voters
weaknesses and gaps arose over the and the number of votes cast (Section
years in the preparation, planning and 51 [2]), provisions on the Commission’s
conduct of both general as well as other powers to review the results of an election
off cycle /supplementary elections by the declared under duress, the incorporation
Commission. In more specific terms, the Act of technology in the result management
further strengthened the financial autonomy processes of the Commission such as those
of the Commission when in section 3 (3) it in sections 24, 25, 27, 41-42, 46-47, 50-51,
directed that the release of funds for general 56, 60-62, 65-71, 141 & 146-148.
elections be made not later than one year to
the election. Similarly, sections 28 (1) and Overall, the new Act has substantially
(2) provided for the commission to publish cured some of the major challenges
the Notice of Election for a general election and encumbrances in the conduct and
not later than 360 days to the election, management of elections and the electoral
giving the Commission and political parties process in Nigeria. It tremendously helped
sufficient time to plan for the election and in the conduct of the 2023 General Election.
conclude the candidate nomination process.
The time-frame for the notice of election in
respect of by-elections, however, remains
as in the old Act.
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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Table 4.1: Key Provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022

S/N Section Key Provision
1 Section 3(3) States that funds for general elections must be released at least
one year before the election.
2 Section 29(1) Stipulates that parties must conduct primaries and submit their list
of candidates at least 180 days before the general elections.
3 Section 34 Gives political parties power to conduct a primary election to
replace a candidate who died during an election.
4 Section 47 Gives legislative backing for smart card readers and any other voter
accreditation technology that INEC deploys.
5 Section 50 Gives INEC the legal backing for the transmission of election
results as determined by the Commission.
6 Section 51 Says that the total number of accredited voters will become a
factor in determining over-voting at election tribunals.
7 Section 54(2) Makes provisions for people with disabilities and special needs.
8 Section 65 States that INEC can review results declared under duress.
9 Section 94 Provides that election campaign shall start 150 days to the Election
Day and end 24 hours before the election.
10 Section 84 Stipulates that political appointees, such as ministers,
commissioners, special advisers, etc. at federal, state or LGA level
must resign the political appointment and relinquish the position
before they can be eligible to participate in the electoral process
either as a candidate or as a delegate.

4.1.3. Implications of the Key provided a broader scope for the monitoring
Provisions for the Management and of political party and campaign financing.
Conduct of Elections In addition, it enhanced the Commission’s
control over the declaration of results
Overall, the new Act provided support process through the provision of a review
to the Commission’s effort towards mechanisms in instances where its officials
institutionalizing electoral planning, make declarations under duress. These
reinforced its independence, enhanced and related provisions in the EA 2022
its monitoring capabilities over political have greatly enhanced planning, funding,
parties, and generally provided for a better monitoring as well as the management of
legal framework for the deployment of the electoral process.
technology in the electoral process. In
addition, the Act has also provided a
better working framework for cooperation
between the Commission and security
agencies on electoral matters, just as it

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

4.2. Formulation & ii. Prof. Okechuckwu O. Ibeanu National

Commissioner - Member
Implementation of the
2022 – 2026 Strategic iii. Dr. Adekunle L. Ogunmola National
Commissioner - Member
Plan (SP) and Strategic
Plan Implementation iv. Mr. Sam O Olumekun National
Programme (SPIP) Commissioner - Member

As has become the practice for the v. Barr. Kashim G. Gaidam Resident
Commission since the 2011 General Election, Electoral Commissioner - Member
the end of one Electoral Cycle announces
the beginning of another Cycle. The 2022- vi. Mr. A. T. Yusuf Director (Electoral
2026 SP and SPIP marked the third in the Operations) - Member
series of Strategic Plans the Commission had
vii. Mr. Iro Gambo Director (Voter Registry)
developed and implemented since 2012.
Member
These plans arose from and are embedded
in the Commission’s continuous efforts
viii.Mr. Abdulhamid Buba Director (Human
to improve the conduct of elections and
Resource Management) - Member
the management of the electoral process
through the periodic reviews of electoral ix. Mr. Oluwatoyin Babalola Director (Legal
operations and activities, lesson learning Services) - Member
engagements with staff and stakeholders
in the electoral and political processes x. Mr. Chidi Nwafor Director (ICT) Member
after general elections; the production
of new knowledge through continuous xi. Mr. Nick Dazang Director (Voter
research and innovation; the deployment of Education & Publicity) - Member
technology; stakeholder engagement as a
key element in enhancing the transparency xii. Mr. Aminu Idris Director (Election &
and credibility of the Commission, as well as Party Monitoring) - Member
training and capacity building programmes
for staff, political parties and the media. xiii. Prof. Bolade M. Eyinla (Chief Technical
It was against this background that the Adviser to Chair/INEC) - Member
Commission established an 18-person
2022-2026 Strategic Plan Committee xiv. Prof. Mohammad J. Kuna (Special
to review the 2017-2021 SP/SPA and Adviser to Chair/INEC) - Member
formulate a new 2022-2026 SP/SPIP. The
Committee’s membership included: - xv. Mr. Rotimi L. Oyekanmi (Chief Press
Secretary to the Chair) - Member
i. AVM Ahmed Tijani Muazu (rtd.)
National Commissioner
Chairman

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

xvi.Mr. Okechukwu Ndeche Esq. (External findings of the Review Report on the
Consultant) - Member 2017 – 2021 Strategic Plan with key
recommendations;
xvii. Prof Etannbi E.O. Alimeka (External
Consultant) - Member g. To produce draft copies of the 2022 –
2026 Strategic Plan (SP) and Strategic
xviii. Mr. Paul B Omokore Director Plan of Action (SPA);
(Planning & Monitoring) - Secretary
h. To advise the Commission and make
The Committee’s terms of reference were: - recommendations on any other related
matters that may not have been
a. To comprehensively review the 2017 considered here;
– 2021 Strategic Plan (SP) and the
Strategic Plan of Action (SPA); i. To co-opt any member or Staff of the
Commission that it feels can contribute
b. To assess the impact of the 2017 – 2021 to its speedy conclusion of the above
Strategic Plan (SP) and Plan of Action tasks; and
(SPA) on processes, programmes and
outcomes of the 2019 General Election j. To submit its Report within 40 days from
against the recommendations of the the date of its inauguration.
2019 Observer’s Report as well as those
of the Commission’s 2019 Election The Committee started work on the ToRs in
Review Report; earnest, beginning with a thorough review
of the 2017-2021 SP/SPA, breaking down
c. To identify and evaluate the into four sub-committees to facilitate its
strategic issues emanating from the work. The review assessed the strengths,
implementation of the 2019 Election weaknesses, and challenges of central planks
Project Plan (EPP) and related electoral of the 2017 SP/SPIP as well as the 2019 EPP.
activities; It reviewed the electoral legal framework,
operations and logistic preparations for
d. To identify threats, weaknesses, gaps, elections in the period under review,
uncompleted actions/programmes as election staff management issues, voter
well as opportunities of the 2017-2021 education and publicity efforts, election
SP/SPA; security, compliance monitoring processes,
human capital and organizational challenges,
e. To design, develop and produce the training and capacity building, funding of
2022 – 2026 Strategic Plan (SP) and electoral activities, procurement processes,
Strategic Plan of Action (SPA) including as well as communication. Leveraging
schedules for validation retreats with on the lessons learnt from the review of
stakeholders; these core processes, the Strategic Plan
Committee proposed to the Commission
f. To produce draft copies of the that the 2022-2026 Plan’s central

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

objective should be to provide electoral values such as autonomy, transparency,

operations, systems, and infrastructure to integrity, and credibility, to mention but a
support the delivery of free, fair, credible, few. These values are critical in guiding the
and inclusive elections. In making this Commission's mandate and functions as
recommendation, the Committee identified specified in the Constitution of the Federal
the strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and
implementation status of the previous Plan the Electoral Act 2022. By aligning with
and took adequate steps to address these its mission, vision, and core values, the
issues in formulating the 2022-2026 Plan. Strategic Plan aims to provide a strategic
framework for the Commission's activities
Section 2.2 of this Report has provided a over the 5-year period, 2022-2026. Such
comprehensive account of the review of the a framework provides the basis for the
2017-2021 Plan as well as the processes conduct of elections and the management
of the formulation and status of the of the electoral process.
implementation of the 2022-2026 SP and
SPIP. As such, both need not detain us here. There are five (5) key objectives of the 2022-
Suffice it to say that the planned activities for 2026 Plan embedded within an overarching
this period up to the 2023 General Election theme: the provision of electoral operations
have been successfully implemented. systems, infrastructure, and support for the
Since the General Election, several other conduct of free, fair, credible, and inclusive
activities such as the post-election reviews elections in Nigeria. These objectives were:
and stakeholder engagements have been
concluded while Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi a. Enhancing Electoral Operations and
Governorship elections scheduled for Infrastructure: The primary goal was to
the 11th of November 2023 have been develop and maintain robust electoral
conducted. The Commission is currently operations systems and infrastructure
planning to conduct about 30 by-and court capable of facilitating the delivery of free,
ordered re-run elections across the country. fair, credible, and inclusive elections.
This objective aimed at improving
4.2.1. Background and Objectives of the efficiency and transparency of
the 2022-2026 Strategic Plan the electoral process, deepening
electoral integrity, and widening citizen
The Strategic Plan for the 2022-2026 period participation in the electoral process;
was designed to support the Commission
in achieving its mission, which is to serve b. Advancing Voter and Civic Education:
as an independent and effective Election The focus is on enhancing voter and
Management Body (EMB) dedicated to civic education to promote widespread
conducting free, fair, credible, and inclusive awareness and understanding of
elections. The strategic goals of the Plan democratic election processes. By
therefore sought to further consolidate empowering citizens with knowledge,
systems and frameworks that would this objective seeks to increase
enable the Commission to achieve its core voter turnout, active participation in

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

the electoral process, and a deeper free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections
appreciation of democratic principles. with four key outcomes: (i) formulation of
election planning tools for all elections,
c. Strengthening Political Party (ii) reviewing regulations, guidelines
Registration and Monitoring: This and manuals for electoral activities, (iii)
objective aims to streamline the submission of proposals to the National
registration process for political parties assembly for electoral legal reforms, and
and ensure their operations align with (iv) reviewing and implementing Election
electoral regulations and guidelines. Day staff management processes and
By closely monitoring political parties, systems such as INECPRESS and OMIS; (b)
the aim is to uphold the integrity of the improve voter/civic education and promote
political landscape and maintain a level knowledge of sound democratic election
playing field for all participants. processes also with four key outcomes: (i)
developing an enhanced voter and civic
d. Enhancing Engagement with National education framework, (ii) strengthening
and International Stakeholders: The goal the Inter-Agency Committees on Voter
is to foster meaningful and constructive Education and Publicity at the National
relationships with relevant stakeholders State and Local levels, (iii) reviewing/
both nationally and internationally. developing and deepening the frameworks
By engaging with various entities, this for the participation of women, youth,
objective seeks to leverage resources, persons with disability (PwDs) as well as for
expertise, and knowledge to enhance internally displaced persons (IDPs), and (iv)
the electoral process and promote best improved collaboration with stakeholders
practices.)Strengthening Institutional for the effective delivery of voter and civic
Structures and Memory: This objective education; (c) to register political parties
focuses on enhancing the institutional and monitor their operations with the
capacity of INEC to effectively carry following outcomes: (i) registering and de-
out its mandate. By investing in registering political parties in accordance
training, technology, and organizational with extant laws, (ii) enhancing the capacity
development, this objective aims to of the Commission to monitor the activities
equip INEC with the necessary tools to of political parties, (iii) ensuring political
perform its duties efficiently and with parties’ compliance to the regulatory
excellence. framework, and (iv) reviewing and
implementing the framework for monitoring
These strategic objectives are designed to party conventions, congresses, candidate
serve as a roadmap for INEC's activities nomination, party and campaign finances;
during the Plan period, enabling the (d) to engage with relevant national and
Commission to work towards conduct of international stakeholders on the electoral
credible, transparent, and inclusive elections. and democratic processes as a key plank in
In more specific terms, the Plan was to (a) enhancing the Commission’s operations with
provide electoral operations, systems, and the following outcomes: (i) the formulation
infrastructure that facilitate the delivery of and implementation of policies guiding

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

interaction with relevant stakeholders, (ii) drawing on the use of social media, (iii)
ensuring sustained engagements with other enhancing the professionalisation and skills
election management bodies and electoral set of the workforce through improved
assistance institutions, (iii) establishing coordination, efficiency and effectiveness
platforms for sustained stakeholder of systems and processes, (iv) enhancing
engagements, and (iv) improved framework the framework for the planning, monitoring,
and capacity of the Inter-Agency Committee implementation, early warning and support
on Election Security (ICCES); and (e) for electoral processes and field activities
strengthening INEC institutionally for through the EMSC Dashboard.
the effective delivery of its mandate, also
with four key outcomes: (i) enhancing the As demonstrated across this Report, several
overall performance of the organisation by of these outcomes have been implemented.
making processes more efficient, effective This became a central element in the
and coordinated, (ii) enhancing internal successful planning, conduct and
and external communication, particularly management of the 2023 General Election.

Box 7: Workings of the 2023 EPP Committee

The Committee started work on the ToRs in earnest, beginning with a thorough review of the
2017-2021 SP/SPA, breaking down into four sub-committees to facilitate its work. The review
assessed the strengths, weaknesses, and challenges of central planks of the 2017 SP/SPIP as well
as the 2019 EPP. It reviewed the electoral legal framework, operations and logistic preparations
for elections in the period under review, election staff management issues, voter education
and publicity efforts, election security, compliance monitoring processes, human capital
and organizational challenges, training and capacity building, funding of electoral activities,
procurement processes, as well as communication. Leveraging on the lessons learnt from the
review of these core processes, the Strategic Plan Committee proposed to the Commission that
the 2022-2026 Plan’s central objective should be to provide electoral operations, systems, and
infrastructure to support the delivery of free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections. In making
this recommendation, the Committee identified the strengths, weaknesses, challenges and
implementation status of the previous Plan and took adequate steps to address these issues in
formulating the 2022-2026 Plan.

46
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu delivers his address at the Stakeholders’ Validation Meeting for the 2022 Revised Framework and
Regulations for Voting by Internally Displaced Persons

4.2.2. Monitoring and Evaluating 4.2.3. Implementation of the 2023

Progress of the Plan Election Project Plan (EPP) and
Integration of Key Tools into the
A monitoring and evaluation (M&E) Election Monitoring and Support
framework was crucial to assess the level of Centre (EMSC)
implementation of the Plan. Towards this,
the SPIP became the key guiding document The Commission has institutionalised the
in which the entire range of activities were development of the Election Project Plan
itemised for each Department, Directorate (EPP) as an electoral planning and monitoring
and Unit of the Commission with time- mechanism for conduct of general, off-cycle
lines, costs, and an implementation (governorship) and other by- elections. The
schedule. These activities were then EPP is developed within the framework
tracked by the EMSC’s monitoring zones of the Commission's existing SP and SPIP.
– Green, Amber and Red – to ensure More specifically, the 2015 and 2019 EPPs,
compliance. The Directorate of Planning which served as the basis for managing the
and Monitoring, operating under the office 2015 and 2019 general elections, were
of the Commission's Chairman, along with aligned with the Commission's 2012-2016
the Commission’s Standing Committee and 2017-2021 SPs and SPIPs. Both the SP
on Planning, Monitoring, and Strategy and the SPIP provide the broad objectives
were tasked to monitor implementation, and then more specific activities itemised
with periodic assessment of status of on departmental basis but linked together
implementation to address unforeseen or in terms of implementation sequence.
unanticipated. The vehicle for the detailed compliance
monitoring and reporting of activity statuses
by implementation levels is the task of the
EMSC.
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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

The Election Monitoring and Support Centre of electoral activities, thereby enhancing
(EMSC) was established in 2017 with the the overall integrity and success of the
aim of creating a dynamic and integrated electoral process.
planning, implementation, monitoring,
early warning, and support framework This integration, however, did not go very far
for electoral activities. It provides the in the run-up to the 2019 General Election,
Commission with a 360-degree view of with a number of adverse implications
the entire electoral planning process, for the monitoring, implementation and
drawing attention to gaps, identifying management of key electoral processes.
potential risks, and generally providing The internal reviews after the 2019 General
data on the status of all electoral activities. Election very clearly indicated the need for
The EMSC has three monitoring ‘zones’ in this task to be urgently revisited. This was
a typical Electoral Cycle for a general or even more urgent and necessary, for since
Off-Cycle election: the Green, the Amber 2019, a key tool, the INEC Security and
and the Red. Each monitoring zone has a Alert System (I-SANS), has been added to
number of indicators – referred to as Key the existing three, namely, the Election
Performance Indicators (KPIs) – to monitor Risk Management (ERM), the Electoral
which are expected to provide data on the Operations Support Centre (EOSC), and
status of implementation. For the 2023 the Election Management System (EMS).
General Election, the EMSC monitored I-SANS seeks to geo-locate and track
nearly 700 KPIs. The EMSC is composed security threats to personnel and electoral
of four elements: the Election Monitoring materials in real time. Taken together, these
System (EMS), the Electoral Operations tools fully addressed the key objectives of
Support Centre (EOSC), the Election Risk the EMSC, which is to enable the planning,
Management Tool (ERM) and the INEC monitoring, implementation, early warning,
Security Notification and Alert System and field support to key electoral activities,
(I-SANS). personnel and electoral materials so as to
prevent low scale operational problems
The decision to integrate three monitoring becoming major crises.
and support tools, which sometimes
operated at cross-purposes, was based For the 2023 General Election, efforts and
on the recommendation of the 2015 resources have been expended on the
Election Project Planning Committee. processes for the optimization of the EMSC
As a result, the EMSC was set up with operational structure with a substantial
a permanent secretariat under the degree of progress. The composite units of
Planning and Monitoring Directorate, with the EMSC; EMS, EOSC, ERM, and ISANS
secretariats established in the 36 State are innovations that have greatly assisted
and FCT Offices to ensure coordinated the Commission in the management of
operations. Through the establishment of elections. They are all ICT based solutions
the EMSC, the Commission strengthened and clear demonstrations of how ICT can
its capacity for strategic planning, effective empower an EMB to manage electoral
implementation, and real-time monitoring processes.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

The EMSC has a dashboard that monitors demonstrations of how ICT can empower an
over 650 indicators across the Electoral EMB to manage electoral processes. Since
Cycle. This monitoring starts in earnest once 2011 General Election, the Commission
the Commission announces the Timetable has maintained the trajectory to improve
and Schedule of Activities for an election, on its processes and these tools have
although, for a general election, it begins played critical roles towards improving the
much earlier to cover post-election issues effectiveness, efficiency and coordination
such as reverse logistics, audit of re-useable of electoral processes and activities in
election materials, storage facilities, post- the context of information services they
election reviews, reviews/formulation of provide to the Commission. These services
previous SPS/SPIPs and EPPs, and so on. included: election readiness reports, early
The EMSC’s dashboard typically generates warning signals, intelligence on threats/
data that enables the Commission to assess risks and electoral supports which are
the implementation status of the activities provided through the various dashboards.
and processes leading to an election. The operations of the composite units
assist the Commission to better understand
The composite units of the EMSC – EMS, the information provided and to facilitate
ERM, EOSC, and I-SANS – are innovations the decision-making processes.
that have greatly assisted the Commission
in the management of elections. They
are all ICT based solutions and clear

EOSC

EMS ERM

I-SANS

Figure 4.1: Integration of the Commission’s Planning Tools into the EMSC
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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

The objective of the integration was to continue with the subsidiarity of the various
(a) link the various tools to an enhanced tools/dashboards to function as designed
EMSC dashboard through APIs (Application for the various composite units.
Programmable Interfaces) for data
integration, sharing and analyses across the While the enhanced EMSC Dashboard
platforms; (b) undertake the development for the 2023 General Election was not
of a single integrated dashboard for all completed before the election, objectives
the composite units of the EMSC; and (c) (a) and (c) were achieved.

Box 8: Components of the Election Monitoring and Support Centre

The Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC) was established in 2017 with the aim of
creating a dynamic and integrated planning, implementation, monitoring, early warning, and
support framework for the electoral activities. It provides the Commission with a 360-degree view
of the entire electoral planning process, drawing attention to gaps, identifying potential risks and
generally providing data on the status of all electoral activities. The EMSC has three monitoring
‘zones’ on a typical Electoral Cycle: the Green, the Amber and the Red. Each monitoring zone
has a number of elements – referred to as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) – to monitor which
are expected to provide data on the status of implementation. For the 2023 General Election,
the EMSC monitored nearly 700 KPIs. The EMSC is composed of four elements: the Election
Monitoring System (EMS), the Electoral Operations Support Centre (EOSC), the Election Risk
Management Tool (ERM) and the INEC Security Notification and Alert System (I-SANS)

4.2.4. Development and Structure of related to the electoral legal framework.

the 2023 Election Project Plan (EPP) This included identifying areas where
existing electoral laws and regulations
In developing the 2023 Election Project needed improvement or amendment to
Plan (EPP), the Commission conducted a address emerging issues and ensure the
thorough review of the 2019 EPP as clearly integrity of the electoral process.
indicated in Section 2.3 above. Suffice it
to draw attention here to the fact that in b. Operational Challenges: The second
implementing the 1,495 activities and thematic area encompassed operational
sub-activities outlined in the plan, divided challenges encountered during the
into 1,303 pre-election, 80 election, and implementation of the EPP. These
112 post-election activities, several key included issues related to logistics,
challenges came to light. These challenges technology, and administrative
were categorised into five thematic areas, processes, where inefficiencies or
as follows: shortcomings were identified and
needed to be addressed for smoother
a. Electoral Legal Framework: The first operations.
thematic area focused on challenges

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c. Human Capital and Organisational 4.2.5. Objectives of the 2023

Challenges: The third thematic area Election Project Plan
highlighted challenges related to human
capital and organisational aspects of The Plan's overarching goal is to ensure the
the Commission. This covered matters 2023 General Election was conducted in
such as capacity building, staffing, and a free, fair, credible, and inclusive manner,
organisational structure, with a focus thereby reinforcing the gains and progress
on strengthening the workforce's skills that the Commission made in the conduct
and ensuring an effective and efficient of elections and the management of the
organisational setup. electoral process since 2010. The Plan
outlined the following specific objectives:
d. Funding and Financial Electoral
Activities: The fourth thematic area a. Harmonisation of Activities and
cantered around challenges related Needs: One of the specific objectives
to funding and financial management involves harmonising the activities and
of electoral activities. This included requirements of all departments and
identifying financial constraints and directorates within the Commission,
exploring ways to secure adequate creating an implementable plan for the
resources for the successful execution 2023 elections. This promotes seamless
of electoral processes. coordination and cooperation among
various units, streamlining efforts for a
e. Communication: The fifth thematic area well-organised electoral process.
addressed communication challenges.
This involved examining communication b. Adherence to Global Professional
strategies and methods used during Standards: Another specific objective is to
the implementation of the 2019 EPP, organise the 2023 elections in alignment
identifying areas for improvement, and with the highest global professional
formulating more effective approaches standards. By following international
for disseminating information to best practices, the Commission aims
stakeholders and the public. to enhance the credibility and integrity
of the electoral process, gaining
By categorising these challenges into international recognition and respect.
thematic areas, the Commission was better
focused to address each area's specific c. Delivery of Cost-Effective, Credible
issues. Through a comprehensive review General Election: The Plan's third
and analysis of the challenges faced during objective revolves around conducting
the previous election cycle, the Commission a cost-efficient yet high-quality general
aims to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, election in 2023. Striking a balance
and credibility of the 2023 electoral process, between managing costs and delivering
fostering a more transparent and inclusive excellence is crucial for resource
democratic experience for all stakeholders. optimization without compromising the
electoral process's quality.

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d. Inclusivity and Level Playing Field for

All Stakeholders: The fourth specific
4.3. Timetable and
objective centres on ensuring inclusivity, Schedule of Activities for
with the aim of engaging all stakeholders the 2023 General Election
in the electoral process. Creating a
level playing field for all candidates and The timetable and schedule of activities for
political parties fosters fairness and the 2023 General Election was released by
competition, thereby cultivating trust the Commission on the 26th of February
and confidence in the electoral outcome. 2022, one year before the election, as has
been the practice since 2015. The Schedule
e. Accountability and Responsibility of itemised 14 major activities based on the
INEC Staff: The final specific objective electoral legal framework that had to be
emphasises the importance of implemented for the election, beginning
accountability and responsibility among with the notice of election on the 28th of
all INEC staff involved in the conduct of February 2022 in line with section 28 (1)
the 2023 General Election. Promoting a of the Electoral Act 2022, that enjoins the
culture of accountability ensures that all Commission to issue a Notice no later than
actions and decisions are executed with 360 days before the General Election to the
the utmost integrity and professionalism. date of Election which was 25th February
2023 (Presidential and National Assembly)
These specific objectives guide the and 11th March 2023 (Governorship and
Commission's endeavours in planning, State Houses of Assembly) in line with
executing, and monitoring the electoral sections 76 (1 & 2), 116 (1 & 2), 132 (1 &
process, ultimately contributing to the 2) and 178 (1 & 2) of the Constitution of
enhancement of democratic governance in the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as
Nigeria. amended).

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu (2nd right), joined by National Commissioners Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu (left), Prof. Rhoda Gumus
(3rd left), Mallam Mohammed Haruna, Mr Kenneth Ukeagu and Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, to present the
Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election, at the Commission’s headquarters, Abuja in February 2022.

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4.4. Review of the 2019 the effectiveness and impact of the 2019
electoral regulations reveals both successes
Regulations, Guidelines and challenges. The regulations played
and Manuals a crucial role in promoting transparency
and accountability, reducing electoral
With every general election, the Commission malpractices, and maintaining public
reviews, and re-issues its Regulations, trust in the electoral process. With the
Guidelines and Manuals not only in the passage of the new Act, the review of the
light of lessons learnt from the conduct 2019 regulations and guidelines became
and management of elections, but also in imperative. Thus, the old 2019 Regulations
response to judicial pronouncements or case and Guidelines were totally reviewed to
laws on the Commissions field operations’. reflect the new provisions of the Electoral
Furthermore, with specific reference to the Act 2022 as well as the new technologies
2023 General Election, a new Electoral Act that the Commission had developed to help
was signed into law in February 2022, a fact manage the electoral process.
which makes the review of these regulations
even more pertinent and urgent. It was in Besides the review of the Regulations and
this background that the 2019 Regulations Guidelines, the Manual for Election Workers
and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections was also extensively reviewed. The conduct
as well as various Manuals were reviewed of free, fair, credible, and inclusive election is
to ensure conformity with new Electoral Act presumed contingent upon comprehensive,
2022. The following sub-sections briefly concise, and very apt training materials and
discuss a few of these reviews. resources.

4.4.1. Review of the 2019 4.4.2. Regulations and Guidelines

Regulations and Guidelines for the for Political Parties and Election
Conduct of Elections Observation

The Regulations and Guidelines for the With the successful conduct of the 2019
Conduct of Elections (2019) derived from General Election, it became imperative to
the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and review the effectiveness, implementation
the Electoral Act 2010 (as emended) status, and impact of the regulations and
formed the legal framework governing guidelines governing political parties and
the entire electoral process in the 2015- election observation. This task became
2019 Electoral Cycle. These provided the even more urgent and necessary with the
rules and procedures for voter registration, passage of the new Electoral Act 2022. It is
candidate nomination, campaign finance, for this reason that the regulations guiding
polling station setup, vote counting, and political parties and election observation
dispute resolution. These documents were were reviewed.
designed to uphold the principles of free
and fair elections and safeguard the integrity
of the electoral system. An evaluation of

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

There were several new provisions in the of Nigeria (S.85 [a] & [b]). Similarly, the new
Electoral Act 2022 that had to be reflected Regulations directs all political parties to
in the regulations guiding the operations submit detailed annual statement of their
of political parties. Thus, section 75 (1) assets/liabilities as well as an analysis
and (3) now stipulates that applications for of sources of funds and other assets,
registration as new political parties ends 12 together with statements of its expenditure
months before a general election, just as including hard and soft copy of its list of
the time for the Commission to respond to members in a manner to be determined by
applications was extended from 30 to 90 the Commission (S.86 [1]). The Regulations
days in S.75 (3). Other areas revised in line also reflect changes introduced in Section
with the EA 2022 include: the development 87 (1) of the Act which empowered the
of database of the logos of political parties to Commission to place limits on the amount
enhance the registration of political parties; of money or other assets that individuals
increasing the time-lines for notifying the can contribute to a political party or a
Commission of mergers between parties candidate and to demand such information
from 90 days to 9 months before a general on the amounts donated and source of the
election (S.81[2]); mandatory maintenance funds. Several other new Sections such as
of a register of members and making it 88 (2, 3, 4 & 5), 89 (1, 2 & 3) and 90 (1, 2, 3
available to the Commission not later & 4) helped in empowering the Commission
than 30 days before dates fixed for party to address of the key issues in reviewing the
primaries, congresses and conventions old Regulations.
(S.77); and giving the Commission 21
days’ notice of any convention, congress, Pursuant to these changes in the
conference or meeting for the purpose principal act, the Commission designed a
of mergers and the election of executive standard reporting format and check-list
committees, failure of which renders such for monitoring political party primaries,
conventions etc. invalid (S.82 [1]). On the congresses, and conventions. Moreover,
monitoring of political party congresses, provisions on the conduct of political party
primaries and conventions, S.83 (1) and campaigns (S.92 [1, 2 & 3]) and political
(4) enjoins parties to provide the required broadcasts (94 [1, 2,]) that enjoins political
information or face a penalty; all primaries parties to commence public campaigns
for aspirants to all election positions must 150days before polling day and to end 24
be monitored by the Commission (S.84 hours before Election Day were significant
[1]), where the mode or procedure for the in ensuring some level playing field for
nomination of candidates was specified political contests.
as direct, indirect or by consensus (S.84
[2]). On party finances, the Regulations
reinforced the provisions of Section 225
(3) (a) of the Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) that
banned political parties from holding or
retaining funds or other processes outside

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Box 9: The 2022 Electoral Act and Political Parties

...there were several new provisions in the Electoral Act 2022 that had to be reflected in the
regulations guiding the operations of political parties. Thus, section 75 (1) and (3) now stipulates
that applications for registration as new political parties ends 12 months before a general
election, just as the time for the Commission to respond to applications was extended from 30
to 90 days in S.75 (3). Other areas revised in line with the EA 2022 include: the development
of database of the logos of political parties to enhance the registration of political parties;
increasing the time-lines for notifying the Commission of mergers between parties form 90
days to 9 months before a general election (S.81[2]); mandatory maintenance of a register of
members and making it available to the Commission not late that 30 days before dates fixed for
party primaries, congresses and conventions (S.77); and giving the Commission 21 days’ notice
of any convention, congress, conference or meeting for the purpose of mergers and the election
of executive committees, failure of which renders such conventions etc. invalid (S.82 [1])…

4.5.3. Inclusivity Measures: IDP Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Policy:

Policy, Gender Policy, Deployment The IDP policy aimed at addressing the
of Assistive Voting Devices, Voting voting rights of citizens displaced by conflict
Rights for Prison Inmates, and or natural disasters. A detailed voting and
Diaspora Voting result management protocol was developed
and approved by the Commission with the
The 2023 General Election incorporated active participation of stakeholders. This
various inclusivity measures to ensure had led to a revised and vastly improved IDP
the participation and representation of all Policy that was used during the 2023 General
eligible citizens. Inclusivity measures by the Election. Similarly, the Commission’s gender
Commission are wide-ranging and began far policy was revised before the 2023 General
back in 2012 with its gender policy. Started Election, and its objective was to expand
by the Commission in 2014, this review and enhance the participation of women in
aims to assess the effectiveness and impact the electoral process.
of these measures, which include policies
addressing internally displaced persons In collaboration with civil society
(IDPs) and gender equality, the deployment organisations such as TAF-Africa and
of assistive voting devices for persons with Inclusive Friends, the Commission identified
disabilities, voting rights for prison inmates, registered voters with disability by state,
and initiatives for enabling diaspora voting. type of disability and polling unit across
By analysing the success and challenges of the country. This was to ensure that the
these measures, we can identify areas for Commission deployed Assistive Voting
further improvement and promote a more Devices such as magnifying glasses and
inclusive electoral process in the future. Braille ballot guides in some of the off-cycle
elections as well as in the General Election.

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INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu delivers his address at the Stakeholders’ Validation Meeting for the 2022 Revised Framework and
Regulations for Voting by Internally Displaced Persons

Thus, 15,771 magnifying glasses were Diaspora Voting Initiatives: The 2023
deployed out of a total of 16,071 that were General Election included initiatives to
required in PUs across the country, while enable diaspora voting, allowing eligible
5,958 Braille ballot guides were deployed citizens living abroad to cast their votes.
to polling units where they were needed These measures sought to ensure that
across the country as indicated in Table 4.3 citizens outside the country could actively
below. participate in the democratic process
and have their voices represented in the
Voting Rights for Prison Inmates: In the 2023 election.
General Election, specific measures were
taken to ensure that prison inmates who Although much remains to be done to
were eligible to vote exercised their voting deepen and expand inclusivity of youth,
rights. By enabling inmates to participate in women, and people with disability in the
the electoral process, this measure aimed to electoral process, substantial progress has
uphold democratic principles and promote been made by the Commission, and it is
civic engagement among incarcerated committed to continuing this effort in the
individuals. coming Electoral Cycles.

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Table 4.2: Distribution of PWDs and Assistive Voting Devices by State and Polling Unit
S/N State No. of No. of No of No. of No. of Voters No. o Polling No. of No. of Voters No. of No. of Voters
Voters Polling Visually Polling with Hearing Units with Polling with Physical Polling Units with Other
with Units with Impaired Units with Impairment Ec30pwd Units with Mobility with Others Disabilities
Albinism Magnifying Voters Braille Ballot Posters Physical/ Impairment
Glass Guides Mobility
Impairment
1 Abia 319 284 123 100 55 53 168 181 155 242
2 Adamawa 939 548 203 174 171 153 262 385 240 543
3 Akwa-Ibom 367 328 136 128 131 100 186 268 233 300
4 Anambra 437 384 203 184 122 177 383 435 262 450
5 Bauchi 683 512 190 156 160 151 247 245 225 455
6 Bayelsa 215 151 116 55 88 69 124 132 118 329
7 Benue 540 444 181 170 203 170 281 377 200 406
8 Borno 444 359 471 329 133 115 176 204 461 1,313
9 Cross River 282 256 130 119 79 70 148 165 117 278
10 Delta 505 419 287 190 305 221 353 425 603 1,858
11 Ebonyi 199 167 91 85 85 69 159 178 208 519
12 Edo 675 553 174 148 331 250 315 1009 481 990
13 Ekiti 172 159 119 57 90 83 96 116 188 494
14 Enugu 324 280 153 106 149 89 191 217 204 321
15 Gombe 437 323 126 97 165 104 140 374 202 494
16 Imo 428 358 107 104 115 51 212 152 196 365
17 Jigawa 656 448 115 127 56 119 150 261 345 1,132

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18 Kaduna 1523 854 141 395 130 205 393 183 707 2,658
19 Kano 1153 904 1263 272 237 272 499 486 679 1,482
20 Katsina 730 548 329 183 298 195 261 1423 467 2,165
21 Kebbi 750 513 207 92 213 97 130 298 234 792
22 Kogi 410 318 105 99 110 76 168 162 139 324
23 Kwara 551 384 106 153 102 130 305 211 287 634
24 Lagos 1294 1,137 208 450 162 423 949 461 1821 3,650
25 Nasarawa 450 358 543 157 519 130 229 1095 296 630
26 Niger 641 446 172 146 146 104 157 273 185 461
27 Ogun 545 476 250 184 117 142 355 233 541 1,232
28 Ondo 346 271 197 99 169 86 174 684 273 487
29 Osun 459 375 126 178 141 190 415 188 930 2,112
30 Oyo 614 542 194 174 219 211 572 567 586 718
31 Plateau 803 648 248 272 298 217 437 319 545 743
32 Rivers 429 382 309 160 238 102 281 504 568 893
33 Sokoto 625 485 169 165 168 114 186 394 833 3,760
34 Taraba 493 349 203 126 132 101 129 292 209 418
35 Yobe 467 296 142 84 106 65 80 218 281 352
36 Zamfara 851 501 109 132 73 118 138 94 486 1,934
37 FCT 394 311 157 108 143 123 276 178 470 629
Total 21,150 16,071 8,103 5,958 6,159 5,145 9,725 13,387 14,975 36,563

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Chapter 5
Training and
Capacity Building
for the 2023
General Election

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5.1. Staff Training and ahead of the 2023 General Election, just as
the exercise was cascaded to the Revision
Development for the 2023 Officers/Assistant Revision Officers
General Election (REVOs/AREVOs), including specific
emphasis on processes and procedures such
For the 2023 General Election, the as collecting, documenting and compiling
Commission aimed to, and trained over a Claims and Objections from the public on
million ad-hoc staff for the 2023 General the Voter Register.
Election nationwide. For that reason,
enhancing the capacity of the Commission’s 5.1.1. The Training Regular
trainers became necessary. The Commission Commission Staff
in collaboration with IFES conducted
a 3-day capacity building workshop on In the build-up to the 2023 General Election,
Training Management, Administration and the Commission, through The Electoral
Facilitation from the 11th to the 25th of Institute (TEI) developed a comprehensive
January 2023 for its 922 Trainers, a training training curriculum for electoral officers.
that consisted of the 74 TEI/Commission The Commission organised three technical
Headquarters (TEI/HQ) Master Trainers, 37 workshops designed to provide an intensive
State Training Officers (STOs), 37 Assistant engagement with the content of electoral
State Training Officers (ASTOs), and 774 training documents and resources for the
Local Government Training Officers (LGTOs). 2023 General Election. A 3-day technical
The training was carried out at two levels: on workshop on the Integration of Election
the first level, 148 Master Trainers (74 from Security into the curricula of security
TEI/HQ and 74 STOs/ASTOs) were trained agencies’ Training Schools held from the
from the 11th to 13th of January 2023 at 6th – 8th of April 2022 at the Golden Dabis
the Ajuji Greenwich Hotel, Gudu Abuja. The Hotel, Keffi, Nasarawa State was planned
second level was the cascade training to and implemented. Similarly, a workshop on
the 774 LGTOs in designated states in the the review of the Security Training Manual
geopolitical zones of the country from the and Handbook on Electoral Security for
16th -25th of January 2023. This enabled Security Personnel, held from the 9th –
the LGTOs to directly train the SPOs 11th of August 2022 at the BON Hotel,
on polling and counting procedures and Kano. Another Technical workshop for
who, in turn, organised and managed the the validation of all the reviewed electoral
training of POs and APOs. The Commission security training documents, held from
also undertook the training of staff for Monday the 9th to Tuesday the 10th of
the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) January 2023 at the Ajuji Greenwich Hotel,
to ensure its successful implementation Abuja.
nationwide from the 21st of June 2021 to
the 31st of July 2022. In addition, training All these training programmes were
was conducted for the Master Trainers on conducted with training materials developed
the Commission’s new technologies and by the Commission. These included Manual
processes across the 6 geo-political zones for Continuous Voters Registration (CVR);

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Handbook for Claims and Objections; Yakubu, declared the training open at
Handbook for PVC Collection; Manual Government Secondary School, Garki
for Election Officials; Manual for Training Abuja. A total of 27,963 SPOs were trained
of Election Security Personnel; Election by the Commission to serve as cascade
Security Personnel Handbook; Trainers’ trainers for the remaining categories of
Guide for Election Officials; Trainers’ Guide ad-hoc staff required for the 2023 General
for Election Security Personnel Training; Election. To maintain standards throughout
The BaSED (Basic Security for Election the Training Chain, the Commission insisted
Duty) Handbook; and Political Party Polling that SPOs must be recruited only from the
Agents Handbook to mention but a few. staff of Federal Institutions and MDAs.
While 18,057 persons were short-listed for
5.1.2. Training of Other Categories the SPOs Training, 27,963 were eventually
of Election Personnel: SPOs, POs & trained.
Party Agents

On the 11th of February 2023, the

Commission commenced the training of
the SPOs nationwide. The Hon. Chairman
of the Commission, Professor Mahmood

Table 5.1: Distribution of SPOs Trained by State and Gender for the 2023 General Election
S/N States Number Number Male Female Excess PWDs
Expected Trained
1 Abia 415 760 454 306 345 0
2 Adamawa 419 510 428 82 91 0
3 Akwa Ibom 444 1077 648 429 633 0
4 Anambra 584 839 447 392 255 2
5 Bauchi 553 652 590 62 99 0
6 Bayelsa 229 282 172 110 53 0
7 Benue 521 771 426 345 250 2
8 Borno 518 907 597 310 389 0
9 Cross River 335 406 262 144 71 0
10 Delta 598 1537 619 918 939 3
11 Ebonyi 301 881 643 238 580 5
12 Edo 462 612 428 184 150 0
13 Ekiti 250 305 175 130 55 0
14 Enugu 424 782 355 427 358 0
15 Gombe 305 474 398 76 169 0

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16 Imo 486 729 347 382 243 1

17 Jigawa 462 646 625 21 184 0
18 Kaduna 818 1,033 844 189 215 1
19 Kano 1,145 1,161 823 338 16 5
20 Katsina 679 709 676 33 30 8
21 Kebbi 382 553 510 43 171 0
22 Kogi 359 773 603 170 414 1
23 Kwara 295 569 406 163 274 1
24 Lagos 1,360 1,372 641 731 12 0
25 Nasarawa 333 326 256 70 -7 1
26 Niger 505 628 559 69 123 0
27 Ogun 515 581 350 231 66 0
28 Ondo 401 546 372 174 145 0
29 Osun 384 579 351 228 195 0
30 Oyo 652 1,540 923 617 888 0
31 Plateau 509 1,182 838 344 673 2
32 Rivers 701 1,405 758 647 704 0
33 Sokoto 407 920 721 199 513 0
34 Taraba 368 353 269 84 0 6
35 Yobe 289 600 532 68 311 1
36 Zamfara 361 561 514 47 200 1
37 FCT 288 402 216 186 114 0
Total 18057 27,963 18,776 9,187 9,921 40

The three-day training of POs and APOs from the 17th – 19th of February 2023.
commenced in two batches at multiple The SPO trainers facilitated the training on
centres in all the 774 Local Government polling/sorting/counting procedures as well
Areas. The first was conducted from the 14th as other duties of poll workers on Election
-16th of February 2023 and Second Batch Day.

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Table 5.2: Breakdown of Personnel Trained as POs/APOs by Gender and State

S/N State Personnel Personnel Male Female Excess Shortfall PWD
Expected Trained
1 Abia 16,573 17,016 5,727 11,289 443 0 0
2 Adamawa 16,744 21,164 14403 6761 4,420 0 0
3 Akwa Ibom 17,760 17,760 9,768 7,992 0 0 0
4 Anambra 23,338 25,008 15,027 9,981 1,670 0 0
5 Bauchi 22,126 23,378 17,694 5684 1,252 0 0
6 Bayelsa 9,156 8,905 4,329 4,576 0 251 3
7 Benue 20,816 30,174 19492 10,682 9,358 0 31
8 Borno 20,690 29,700 18,500 11,200 9,010 0 3
9 Cross River 13,386 15,667 8818 6849 2,281 0 0
10 Delta 23,921 19,979 9,509 10,470 0 3,942 0
11 Ebonyi 12,020 12,068 4034 8034 48 0 12
12 Edo 18,438 13,521 6661 6860 0 4,917 0
13 Ekiti 9,976 10,146 4,954 5,192 170 0 0
14 Enugu 16,912 11,989 4,440 7,549 0 4,923 0
15 Gombe 12,191 17,411 12,322 5,089 5,220 0 0
16 Imo 19,413 17,382 7000 10382 0 2,031 3
17 Jigawa 18,450 18,045 13,796 4,249 0 405 0
18 Kaduna 32,689 50,216 33,018 17,198 17,527 0 0
19 Kano 45,786 46,054 34197 11857 268 0 89
20 Katsina 27,140 27,612 21,012 6,600 472 0 68
21 Kebbi 15271 16,369 13035 3334 1,098 0 0
22 Kogi 14,313 18,710 14,031 4,679 4,397 0 25
23 Kwara 11,779 14,032 8,119 5,913 2,253 0 18
24 Lagos 54,366 53,336 31,150 22,186 0 1,030 0
25 Nasarawa 13,284 13,862 7,020 6,842 578 0 0
26 Niger 20,196 30,457 24,118 6,339 10,261 0 0
27 Ogun 20,571 20,672 10,247 10,425 101 0 0
28 Ondo 16,047 17,940 9,763 8,177 1,893 0 10
29 Osun 15353 17,594 7919 9675 2,241 0 12
30 Oyo 26,071 27,828 19,204 8,624 1,757 0 0
31 Plateau 20355 27,941 16192 11749 7,586 0 44
32 Rivers 28,013 28,318 14,798 13,520 305 0 -
33 Sokoto 16,283 19,724 14,611 5,113 3,441 0 16
34 Taraba 14,676 15,684 9,550 6,134 1,008 0 20

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35 Yobe 11518 12,122 7612 4510 604 0 64

36 Zamfara 14398 16,693 13658 3,035 2,295 0 24
37 FCT 11,514 13,778 8,006 5,772 2,264 0 0
Total 721,533 798,255 493,734 304,521 94,221 17,499 442

5.1.3. Training of Collation and training. The training focused on providing

Returning Officers basic information on the entire collation
process, the Margin of Lead Principle, and
Central to free, fair, credible, and inclusive the functionality and operations of the
elections, is the training of Collation and BVAS. Practical sessions were also held for
Returning Officers (COs/ROs) for the completion of Forms EC8A, EC8B & EC8C,
2023 General Election. The Commission EC8D, EC40H & EC40G series and how and
conducted the COs/ROs training on the when they were to be used. Conditions
21st and 22nd of February 2023. Selected for declaration/return of winners based
federal universities from across the on Margin of Lead Principles and Scenario
federation were used as venues for the training were also reviewed.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Table 5.3: Number of Personnel Trained as COs/ROs by Gender and State

S/N State Personnel Personnel Male Female Excess Shortfall PWD
Expected Trained
1 Abia 474 371 259 112 0 103 0
2 Adamawa 557 552 515 37 0 5 1
3 Akwa Ibom 770 646 561 85 0 124 0
4 Anambra 771 1128 644 484 357 0 0
5 Bauchi 562 522 510 12 0 40 0
6 Bayelsa 268 230 179 51 0 38 0
7 Benue 673 646 472 174 0 27 0
8 Borno 749 910 813 97 161 0 0
9 Cross River 469 445 376 69 0 24 0
10 Delta 692 612 410 202 0 80 0
11 Ebonyi 405 446 313 133 41 0 0
12 Edo 497 579 454 125 82 0 0
13 Ekiti 413 748 533 215 335 0 0
14 Enugu 614 629 411 218 15 0 0
15 Gombe 313 414 379 35 101 0 1
16 Imo 716 953 584 369 237 0 0
17 Jigawa 685 822 767 55 137 0 1
18 Kaduna 721 930 865 65 209 0 0
19 Kano 1,231 1421 1,294 127 190 0 2
20 Katsina 888 856 774 82 0 32 2
21 Kebbi 543 734 682 52 191 0 0
22 Kogi 567 647 529 118 80 0 0
23 Kwara 458 569 406 163 111 0 0
24 Lagos 755 741 505 236 0 14 0
25 Nasarawa 372 417 273 144 45 0 1
26 Niger 675 708 592 116 33 0 1
27 Ogun 602 602 410 192 0 0 0
28 Ondo 498 518 353 165 20 0 0
29 Osun 761 737 578 159 0 24 0
30 Oyo 862 1,245 832 413 383 0 1
31 Plateau 533 606 415 191 73 0 0
32 Rivers 784 504 317 187 0 280 1
33 Sokoto 589 1019 627 392 430 0 1
34 Taraba 439 362 286 76 0 77 0
35 Yobe 430 440 403 37 10 0 0

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

36 Zamfara 384 459 444 15 75 0 0

37 FCT 176 124 103 21 0 52 0
Total 21,896 24,292 18,868 5,424 3,316 920 12

5.1.4. Training of Political Party b. Familiarize participants with the legal

Agents framework for elections in Nigeria.

The Commission conducted a two- c. Discuss the role of election observers in

day ToT workshop in collaboration with monitoring elections.
the Department of Election and Party
Monitoring and Inter-Party Advisory Council d. Explore the use of technology for
(IPAC) from the 6th to the 7th of February election monitoring.
2023 at Ibeto Hotel, Gudu. The training had
72 Political Party Polling Agents (4 from e. Discuss the causes of electoral violence
each Political party) as participants and and how to prevent and manage it.
focused on their roles and responsibilities
f. Promote public education and
within the extant electoral legal framework.
awareness about the electoral process.
The essence of the training is to equip them
with adequate knowledge to enable them
g. The EMSC/EPP implementer's
to cascade the learned skills to their agents
workshops were well-received by
as they prepare for the elections.
participants. They were seen as an
important opportunity to learn about
5.2. EMSC/EPP the EPP and the role of the EMSC.

Implementers' Workshops h. The workshops had a number of

positive impacts, including:
In its efforts to deepen the implementation,
monitoring and tracking of the 2023 EPP, i. They raised awareness of the EPP and
the EMSC undertook the training of All the role of the EMSC.
HoDs across the 36 States and FCT in 4
geo-political zones. These trainings took j. They provided participants with valuable
place in Akure, Kano, Gombe, Port Harcourt information about electoral monitoring.
and Lagos as detailed in table 5.4 below.
k. They helped to build relationships
a. Provide participants with an overview between stakeholders.
of the Election Project Plan (EPP) and
the role of the Election Monitoring and l. They helped to lay the foundation
Support Centre (EMSC) in supporting for a more effective and coordinated
the implementation of the EPP. approach to electoral monitoring in
Nigeria.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

The workshops were also effective in and other stakeholders on how to monitor
achieving their objectives. Participants elections effectively. The workshops were
reported that they had a better held in Abuja, Nigeria, in January and
understanding of the EPP and the role of the February 2023. They were attended by
EMSC. They also reported that they were representatives of over 50 organisations,
better equipped to monitor elections and to including INEC, political parties, civil
prevent and manage electoral violence. society organisations, and international
organizations.
Overall, the EMSC/EPP implementer's
workshops were a success. They helped The workshops were designed to provide
to lay the foundation for a more effective participants with an overview of the
and coordinated approach to electoral Election Project Plan (EPP) and the role of
monitoring in Nigeria. the Election Monitoring and Support Centre
(EMSC) in supporting the implementation
of the EPP.
5.3. Nationwide
Implementers’ Training The feedback from EMSC/EPP
implementers was overwhelmingly positive.
Workshops for the EMSC/ Participants reported that the workshops
EPP were well-organised and informative.
They also appreciated the opportunity to
The EMSC has been working closely with network with other stakeholders involved in
INEC in the lead-up to the 2023 General electoral monitoring. Overall, the feedback
Election. The EMSC has provided technical from implementers was very positive.
assistance to INEC on a range of issues, They believe that the workshops were an
including voter registration, election important step in ensuring that the 2023
security, and vote counting. The EMSC has general election is free, fair, and credible.
also trained over 10,000 election observers

Special Adviser to the Hon. Chairman, Prof. Mohammad Kuna delivers a presentation at the Election Monitoring and Support Centre train-
ing workshop for INEC Staff, in preparation for the 2023 General Election.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Table 5.4: Details of the Nationwide EMSC/EPP Implementers’ Workshops

S/N Activity – Zonal Date Location/ Number of State & of Participants Goals and Objectives
Training Workshop Batch Participants (Categories: AS, HOD - EOPs,
EPM, Legal, ICT, Fin & Acct, ICT,
GAP, EMSC DOs)
1 EMSC Reviewed 9th – 10th Akure – 1st 56 Delta, Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Ogun, • Familiarise HODs with the EMSC reviewed Processes and
Process and Procedures Sept. 2022 Batch Oyo, Kwara & Lagos Procedures;
For Heads of • Promote a better understanding of the EMSC’s optimise
Department indicators;
2 EMSC Reviewed 19th – 20th Kano – 2nd 63 FCT, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano,
• Strengthen the capacity of HODs for improved validation
Process and Procedures Sept. 2022 Batch Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto &
of the EMSC processes and reporting cycle
For Heads of Zamfara
Department
3 EMSC Reviewed 23rd – 24th Gombe – 63 Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno,
Process and Procedures Sept. 2022 3rd Batch Gombe, Plateau, Nasarawa,
For Heads of Taraba, Yobe
Department
4 EMSC Reviewed 29th – 30th Rivers – 4th 77 Abia, Anambra, Akwa-Ibom,
Process and Procedures Sept. 2022 Batch Bayelsa, Cross-River, Edo, Ebonyi,
For Heads of Enugu, Imo, Kogi & Rivers
Department
5 EMSC Amber 17th Jan 2023 Abuja 37 HQ P&M Staff Capacity building sessions for HQ officials to monitor and
Zone State-Level support the implementation of cascade workshops in the state
Implementers offices.
Workshop – Briefing &
Capacity Building for
HQ Monitors
6 EMSC Amber 23rd – 24th Lagos – 1st 80 Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, • To sensitise participants on the operational of the EMSC
Zone State-Level Jan 2023 Batch Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, for the 2023 General Election;
Implementers Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, • To ensure better understanding of the EMSC tools,
Workshop – National Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, compliance, roles, duties and responsibilities of personnel
Level Activity Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara & FCT on tracking, monitoring and reporting during the Amber
and Red zone for the 2023 General Election; and
• To generate National Amber Zone baseline readiness
report for the 2023 General Election.
7 EMSC Amber 26th – 27th Lagos – 2nd 68 Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra,
Zone State-Level Jan 2023 Batch Bayelsa, Cross-River, Delta, 71
Implementers Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo,
Workshop – National Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo &
Level Activity Rivers
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

5.4. Nationwide Training to build capacity among these officers

and to promote a culture of dialogue and
for Operations, VEP, EPM, cooperation. The training for INEC staff on
ICT/VR, Legal and ADR security measures was essential to ensure
Officers that they are aware of the risks they face
and that they have the skills and knowledge
In addition to the general workshops for they need to protect themselves and the
EMSC/EPP implementers, there were electoral process.
also specialised training workshops
for operations and VEP officers. These The training for security personnel on
workshops focused on the specific skills and election security has had a positive impact
knowledge that these officers need to carry on the safety of elections in Nigeria. The
out their duties effectively. The ICT/VR training has helped to raise awareness
officers are responsible for the deployment of the different types of threats that can
and maintenance of election technology. occur during elections, and it has provided
They also ensure that the technology is used security personnel with the skills and
in a secure and transparent manner. These knowledge they need to respond to those
include training on how to use election threats. The training has also helped to
technology, how to troubleshoot problems, build cooperation between security forces
and how to ensure that the technology is and INEC staff. This cooperation is essential
used fairly. to ensuring the safety of elections, as it
allows security forces to provide support
The Legal Officers are responsible for to INEC staff and to respond to threats
providing legal advice and support to the in a coordinated manner. The training for
electoral commission. They also ensure that security personnel on election security has
the electoral process complies with the law. been a valuable tool in the fight to ensure
This includes training on electoral law, how free, fair, and credible elections in Nigeria.
to interpret the law, and how to apply the The training has helped to raise awareness
law to specific situations. The Alternative of the risks, build cooperation, and improve
Dispute Resolution (ADR) Officers are the capacity of security forces to respond
responsible for resolving disputes that to threats.
arise during the electoral process. They
also promote dialogue and understanding
between stakeholders. This includes training
5.5. Nationwide Security
on how to mediate disputes, how to build Training for Staff and
consensus, and how to create a peaceful Security Personnel
and harmonious electoral environment.
The electoral environment before the 2023
The training for these officers was essential General Election posed serious challenges
to ensure that they have the skills and and concern to the Commission. The
knowledge they need to carry out their attacks on the Commission’s staff and
duties effectively. The training also helped

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

facilities nationwide were undoubtedly in the Southeast and South-South, and

major drawbacks in the planning of electoral Boko Haram in the Northeast. To mitigate
activities, affecting not only the safety and these challenges, the Commission deployed
therefore morale of staff, but also placing two major tools and tracked potential
a burden on the resources for the conduct threats of violence: EVMAT and ESTA, the
of the election. The violence threatened former having been reviewed and deployed
to make the deployment of personnel in the Off-Cycle Governorship elections in
and materials difficult, particularly where Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states, as well as
the key targets were the Commission’s in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area
electoral personnel, materials, or facilities. Councils elections.
In collaboration with security agencies, the
Commission mapped out a comprehensive The key determinations of the workshops
cascading training schedule on security were to interrogate the content of the
which commenced with a three-days prevailing Training Manual for Election
Training of Trainers (ToT) for election security Security Personnel (TM-ESP) and Handbook
personnel. The ToT targeted the Commission for Election Security Personnel (HB-ESP);
and ESP Trainers and sought to provide identify gaps, enriching them with new
trainees a better grasp of the electoral provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and
environment, processes, procedures and INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for the
relevant electoral legal provisions. conduct of Election 2022; and integrate
TM-ESP and HB-ESP into the Training
This was then cascaded to the 36 States, Curricula of the various Security Agencies’
the FCT and Senatorial Districts from the training schools in Nigeria. Participants of
4th -7th of February 2023. All in all, the the workshops were systematically drawn
Commission trained 13,916 participants from the personnel of the ICCESS member
(366 Commission trainers – 74 TEI/HQ Security Agencies, INEC Headquarters and
Trainers, 37STOs, 37 ASTOs, 218 LGTOs State offices, Civil Society organisations
and 78 ESP Trainers who trained the (CSOs), Media and Political Parties. Box 3
13,472 ESP Trainees) for the 2023 General below, provides the details of the documents
Election. Of the 13,472 trainees, 0.4% (51) examined, reviewed, and validated for the
were from the ICCES Head Office Abuja, conduct of election security personnel on
26.4% from the ICCES State Offices while election duty. Training Manual for Election
73.2% (9,864) were from LGAs Offices of Security Personnel; Election Security
the 109 Senatorial Districts. Prior to the Personnel Handbook; BaSED-Handbook;
2023 General Election, the main security ESP Trainer’s Guide.
challenges were the rising cases of banditry,
terrorism, herder-farmer conflicts and
kidnappings in the North-west, North-
central and Southwest parts of the country;
agitations by insurgents and separatist
groups’ attacks on INEC Offices and facilities

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

5.6. Development and on the roles and responsibilities of election

personnel, operations of technology and
Deployment of On-line management of scenarios during election
Training Resources and for users from the INEC Website or directs
Platforms users to an alternative website where the
information is housed. Hence, the INEC
The use of technology for online training T-Bot was deployed and utilised for both
has been a major innovation in the electoral physical and on-line training of Ad hoc
process in Nigeria. On-line training has Staff. The bot facilitates self-learning by
made it possible to reach a wider audience committed staff of the Commission and
of stakeholders, including those who subsequently public users.
live in remote areas or who have limited
access to traditional training methods. The Commission in collaboration with IFES
The Commission has over the years used Nigeria, developed the INEC e-SCHOOL.
a number of technologies that assisted The INEC e-School is an online Learning
its training needs and programmes. These Management System (LMS) which is
included: video conferencing, webinars, accessed by searching the IP address,
virtual library and E-learning platforms. As following the link on the Commission
a result of these factors, online training has website, or downloading from Google
become a more accessible and effective Play and Apple Stores. The platform has
way to train stakeholders on electoral three courses: (a) an SPO Course, (b) a
matters. These have helped to improve PO/APO Course and (c) a CO/RO Course
the capacity of stakeholders to participate which are specific to the election duty
in the electoral process and to ensure that roles and responsibilities of the categories
elections are free, fair, and credible. of respective electoral personnel. The
Commission deployed and utilised the INEC
More far-reaching though, is that the e-school for the training of Ad hoc Staff.
Commission developed, deployed, and Although the trainees were excited about
piloted two On-line resources/platforms for the innovations, maximum utilisation could
the 2023 General Election training: – the not be achieved due to the technical and
INEC Training Bot and the INEC e-School. operational challenges on the platforms.
The INEC Training Bot (INEC-TBOT) for the The Commission, with collaborative support
2023 General Election training was hosted from IFES, also, developed and utilised
on Telegram and the INEC official Facebook an On-line reporting tool using Question-
page to address the training needs of SPOs, Pro. The reporting tool was developed to
POs, APOs, ROs and COs on their roles and enhance bottom-up evaluation approach
responsibilities in the election. The INEC- for solving electoral training challenges.
TBOT is accessible to registered trainees The reporting tool was successfully piloted
24/7 to answer queries and requests. The but the gains were challenged by the limited
INEC-TBOT sources (on demand) videos, training of coordinators.
audio recordings, slides, PDF documents

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

5.7. Challenges Faced in of violence in an election in Nigeria. The

EVMAT has undergone several reviews and
the Implementation of deployed across several elections, making
the 2023 General Election it a standardized electoral violence tracking
Training Activities tool. The tool extract information from two
categories of respondents- the public and
While the entire training was successful experts. The former refers to all Nigerian
analysis of the field reports from Trainers, citizens, in respective of gender, occupation,
Co-ordinators and Supervisors brought tribe, ethnicity, income, etc., who are of
forward some fundamental challenges constitutional voting age or over (18+) with
recorded during the implementation no specialised or professional skills in either
of Training Department 2023 General election or electoral security matters. While
Election Activities. The challenges are the later are individuals with fair knowledge
clearly in two categories: i. administrative of the electoral processes and procedures,
and management challenges faced in the grasps of election security issues and
process of implementation which the challenges such as party officials, police, and
Commission can be conscious about fixing other security outfits (All members of INEC
ahead of future trainings; and ii) external Inter-Agency Consultative Committee of
such as the Commission’s reliance on Election Security – ICCES), lawyers, media,
national infrastructure, Institutions and academia, and CSOs.
Agencies for the conduct of elections (see
Box 13 details as well as recommendations). The ESTA is an early detection and tracking
tool deployed by the Commission to provide
field based potential triggers of violence in
5.8. Election Violence the build-up to the 2023 General Election.
As a robust security threat tracker, ESTA
Mitigation and Advocacy has provided a blow-by-blow factual data
Tool & Election Security of threats that could hinder successful
Threat Assessment conduct of the 2023 General Election. The
security tracking matrix during the 2023
(EVMAT & ESTA) General Election gauged the potential
effects of critical issues on the political
The Election Violence Mitigation and
landscape which could hinder peaceful
Advocacy Tool (EVMAT) is a survey
conduct of elections. The issues covered
deployed by INEC in elections to generate
are Vote-buying, Inter-party Conflicts, Hate
opinions on potential triggers of electoral
Speech, Effect of CBN New Naira Policy,
violence before, during, and after an
Fuel Crisis, Conflicting Court Judgements,
election. The instrument is designed to
and Anxiety over BVAS. Interesting aspect
identify security grey areas and provided
of the ESTA is that it gave the Commission
factual evidence for the Commission and
a weekly update of security situation across
Security Agencies to develop mitigating
the federation from the beginning of the
strategies against the possible outbreak
Red Zone to the end (from 15th February

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

2023 to 16th March 2023 which was five 5.8.2. Election Security Threat
(5) days after the Governorship and State Assessment (ESTA)
House of Assembly election). Figure 17
below is an outlook of the ESTA Report five The Election Security Threat Assessment
(5) days after the conduct of the Saturday (ESTA) is another security tracking matrix
25th February 2023 Presidential/National that gauges the possible effects of critical
Assembly Elections for the Southwest issues on the political landscape which
Geopolitical Zone. could trigger non-peaceful conduct of
elections. The Critical issues tracked using
5.8.1. Election Violence Mitigation the ESTA Tool included Vote-buying, Inter-
and Advocacy Tool party Conflicts, Hate Speech, Effect of CBN
New Naira Policy, Fuel Crisis, Conflicting
The EVMAT allowed the Commission to map Court Judgements, and Anxiety over BVAS.
out areas of potential threats of violence for Interesting aspect of the ESTA is that it
security strategic security responses and gave the Commission a weekly update of
deployment. The Commission deployed security situation across federation from
EVMAT in six (6) states (1 state from the beginning of the Red Zone to the end
each of the 6 geo-political Zones of the (from 15th February 2023 to 16th March
federation) and the Federal Capital Territory 2023 which was five (5) days after the
(FCT). The States strategically selected are Governorship and State House of Assembly
Niger (North Central), Yobe (Northeast), election). Figure 17 below is an outlook
Katsina (Northwest), Imo (Southeast), Lagos of the ESTA Report five (5) days after the
(Southwest), and Rivers (South-South) in conduct of the Saturday 25th February 2023
build-up to the 2023 General Election. Presidential/National Assembly Elections
for the Southwest Geopolitical Zone.
The objective is to provide a barometer
for possibility of occurrences of violence Also, the Commission tracked reported
in those States. To effectively monitor incidences of violence or threats of violence
the electoral atmosphere and administer from the print, electronic, and on-line media
the tool, personnel were trained at the sources. This was done covering from 1st
cascaded methodology workshops both at January to 26th March 2023. Information
the Commission's Headquarters and State was triangulated. In other words, an event is
levels, where supervisors and field agents only captured when confirmed from at least
were trained respectively (figures 15 and two or multiple sources. Figure 18 indicated
16). The resultant data generated from the a sample of the tracking done between
research were analysed and shared with the 20th and 26th February 2023 which had
ICCES to provide the necessary security a record of 180 incidences or threats of
alert for electoral operations before, during violence spread across 18 of the 36 states
and after the 2023 General Election. of the federation and FCT. Incidentally, 9
cases involved attacks on INEC facilities,
materials, and personnel.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Figure 5.1: Distribution of Incidents of Violence and Threats of Violence Within a

One-Week Period (20th - 26th February 2023)

While the entire training programme Some of the major administrative and
for election was successful, analysis of managerial challenges experienced during
field reports from trainers, coordinators, the elections included: an overlap of
and supervisors brought forward some training schedules with the activities of
fundamental challenges recorded during the other departments which overstretched
implementation of 2023 General Election and constrained the limited training period;
Training Activities. The challenges are in inadequate training venues and facilities,
two broad categories: (a) administrative often worsened by the late delivery of
and management challenges related to the the training materials (projectors, public
implementation of the training programmes address systems, and flip charts); as well
which the Commission should fix going as inadequate number of required ICT staff
forward; and (b) challenges external to the and BVAS machines to ensure hands on
Commission such as its reliance on national BVAS trainings.
infrastructure, institutions, and agencies of
government for the conduct of elections.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Chapter 6
Stakeholder
Engagements for
the 2023 General
Election

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

In the period between 2019 and 2023 a legislative house or of a Local Government
and especially towards the 2023 General Area and Area Council in the Federal Capital
Election, the Commission engaged with Territory. Furthermore, Section 15 b&c Part
relevant stakeholders to apprise them of I of the Third Schedule of the Constitution
the various technological innovations, grants the Commission the power to
plans, and policies for the election. These register political parties and monitor their
engagements consisted of the regular organisation and operations. In other words,
quarterly and special meetings with the Commission is vested with statutory
political parties, civil society organisations, regulatory and supervisory powers over the
security agencies under the auspices of affairs of political parties. In exercising these
ICESS, the media, as well as with specific powers, the Commission holds regular and
Ministries, Departments and Agencies of special meetings and consultations with
Government. Furthermore, the Commission leadership of political parties, to inform
met with its International Development them of its activities and plans and get
Partners, traditional institutions, and Heads feedback on all electoral activities. In the
of various Election Observation Missions period from 2019 to 2023, the Commission
to the 2023 General Election such as met with the leadership of political parties,
the AU, ECOWAS, Commonwealth and as it did with other stakeholders, to discuss
EU Observation Missions. An overview the following issues:
summary of the objectives and outcome
of these engagements are provided in the a. Conduct of bye-elections;
following sub-sections.
b. Pre-election preparations and post-
election review of the off-cycle
6.1. Political Parties governorship elections in Bayelsa,
Kogi, Edo, Ondo, Anambra, Ekiti
Political parties are associations that are and Osun states and the FCT Area
formed with the explicit and declared Council election;
purpose of seeking power to enable them
to maintain legal control over procedures c. The current state of polling units
of governance of a state at various levels. and the need to expand voter access
In their quest to fulfil the objective of by creating additional polling units;
controlling governmental or state powers,
political parties are vital and essential to d. Modalities, processes and
the successful functioning of electoral procedures for the Continuous
democracy. In Nigeria, Section 221 and Voter’s Registration (CVR) exercise;
229 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended)
stipulates that only political parties can e. Deployment of electoral technology
present candidates for elections and including the use of the IVED for
canvas for votes for election to the office of voter registration, BVAS for voter
President, Vice President, Governor, Deputy accreditation and uploading of Form
Governor, or Chairman and membership of EC8A to the IReV, as a well as the

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

launch of various on-line portals and persons living with disabilities in

for pre-voter registration and for the electoral process; and
submission of the list and particulars
of candidate and party agents; i. Addressing the series of attacks on
INEC buildings and facilities.
f. Review of the Electoral Act 2022
and the Regulations and Guidelines In addition to the engagement with the
for the Conduct of Elections 2022; political parties, the Commission also
engages with the Inter-Party Advisory
g. The role and responsibilities Council (IPAC) which is a forum comprising
of political parties and other of all registered political parties for the
stakeholders in the areas of voter purpose of coordinating their interest in the
education and citizens’ mobilisation quest for a credible and democratic electoral
for effective and peaceful system. In the pursuit of this objective, IPAC
participation in the political and collaborates and maintains an effective line
electoral processes; of communication with the Commission
to promote transparency, impartiality, and
h. The promotion of inclusivity, with confidence in the electoral process.
specific reference to women, youths

Box 10: Stakeholder Engagements for the 2023 General Election

In the period from 2019 to 2023, the Commission met with the leadership of political parties,
as it did with other stakeholders, to discuss the following issues: i) conduct of bye-elections;
ii) pre-election preparations and post-election review of the off-cycle governorship elections in
Bayelsa, Kogi, Edo, Ondo, Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states and the FCT Area Council election;
iii) the current state of polling units and the need to expand voter access by creating additional
polling units; iv) modalities, processes and procedures for the Continuous Voter’s Registration
(CVR) exercise; v) deployment of electoral technology including the use of the IVED for voter
registration, BVAS for voter accreditation and uploading of Form EC8A to the IReV, as a well as
the launch of various on-line portals for pre-voter registration and for submission of the list and
particulars of candidate and party agents; vi) review of the Electoral Act 2022 and the Regulations
and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2022; vii) the role and responsibilities of political
parties and other stakeholders in the areas of voter education and citizens’ mobilisation for
effective and peaceful participation in the political and electoral processes; viii) the promotion
of inclusivity, with specific reference to women, youths and persons living with disabilities in
the electoral process; and ix) addressing the series of attacks on INEC buildings and facilities.

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6.2. Security Agencies Membership of ICCES

(ICCES) i. INEC (Chair)
ii. Office of the National Security Adviser
The Inter-Agency Consultative Committee (Co-Chair)
on Election Security (ICCES) established iii. The Nigeria Police Force
in 2010 is an advisory body for promoting iv. Police Service Commission
synergy, coordination, and cooperation v. Ministry of Police Affairs
in election security. It brings together vi. Ministry of Interior
security and other State agencies and vii. Nigerian Air Force
institutions responsible for securing viii. Nigerian Navy
elections in conjunction with INEC. ix. Nigerian Army
Since then, the Committee evolved as an x. Department of State Service
effective and widely accepted body to xi. National Intelligence Agency
promote cooperation, coordination, and xii. Defence Intelligence Agency
synergy among its members to address xiii. Nigeria Customs Service
the challenge for election security in xiv. Nigeria Immigration Service
Nigeria through the efficient management xv. National Drug Law Enforcement
of resources and effective deployment of Agency
security personnel to ensure safe, peaceful, xvi. Federal Road Safety Corps
and violence-free elections. Towards the xvii. Nigerian Security and Civil Defence
2023 General Election, the Committee’s Corps
membership was expanded from 17 to 24 xviii. Nigerian Correctional Service
to include the anti-corruption and public xix. National Youth Service Corps
enlightenment and safety agencies. The is xx. National Orientation Agency
with the specific objective of evolving an xxi. National Identity Management
integrated security strategy to meet the Commission
challenge of protecting the credibility of xxii. Independent Corrupt Practices
the electoral process, ensuring the sanctity Commission
of the vote by mitigating the emergent xxiii. Economic and Financial Commission
scourge of vote buying and securing the xxiv. Federal Fire Service
Commission’s personnel and facilities.
Furthermore, the Committee worked in In the period between 2019 and 2023,
close collaboration with the Presidential ICCES held quarterly and special meetings
Task Force on COVID-19 Pandemic for to discuss and review security preparations
the conduct of time bound off-cycle for the conduct of off-cycle governorship
governorship elections to ensure the safety elections in Kogi, Bayelsa, Edo, Ondo,
of all electoral stakeholders and preclude Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states. In
any default in the constitutional term limit December 2022, the Committee published a
of political office holders during the global revised single, harmonised code of conduct
health emergency. and rules of engagement for member
agencies. The document not only provided

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common standards of behaviour during the election as well as modalities for the
electoral duty, but it also brought about implementation of the joint security strategy
significant improvement in the cooperation for securing voters, election personnel and
and synergy between the Police as the materials.
lead agency in election security and other
agencies in training and for electoral duties. The organisational structure of the ICCES
In the run-up to the 2023 general election, at the national level is also replicated in
the Committee met twice between January each of the 36 states and FCT, and in the
and February 2023 to deliberate on the 774 Local Government Areas co-chaired
logistics and operational plans for securing by the Resident Electoral Commissioner

The INEC Chairman, conferring with the National Security Adviser Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd) and Chief of Defense Staff Major
General Lucky Irabor during the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security Meeting, held at the National Security Adviser’s
Office on 8th February 2023

Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security Meeting, held at the National Security Adviser’s Office on 8th February 2023

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and Commissioner of Police and the Adviser (NSA) on Friday, 27th October 2022.
Electoral Officer and the Area Commander The meeting comprehensively reviewed the
respectively. Prior to the conduct of each election security readiness status for the
of the off-cycle governorship election, the General Election across the services and
INEC Chairman also holds a consultative took important decisions for the provision
meeting with ICCES at the State level. In of security support and the deployment of
the run-up to the 2023 general election, personnel.
the Committee at the State and LGA level
met regularly to review, assess, and address
emergent security issues including the 6.3. The Judiciary
identification of the personnel needs to
secure the election and development of In its effort to ensure greater engagement
effective collaboration and coordination with all electoral stake holders, the
among the various Agencies involved in the Commission, in consultation with the
conduct of election. Judiciary and the Development Alternatives
Inc, an EU-Supper for Democratic
For the 2023 General Election, ICCES Governance in Nigeria (SDGN) Project
held all its regular quarterly meetings far- Implementing Partner, organized three key
reaching decisions on election security were training workshops for key stakeholders in
taken. The last quarterly meeting before the Judiciary: Justices and Judges of the
the General Election held at the Office of Federal High Court and Courts of Appeal
the ICCES Co-Chair, the National Security and political parties during which over

Participants of the Capacity Development Workshop for Justices of the Court of Appeal and Election Petition Tribunals, held in Abuja in
November 2022.

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Representative of the President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria; Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, FCT, Hon Justice Husseini
Baba Yusuf; INEC Chairman Prof, Mahmood Yakubu; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON; President, Court of
Appeal, Hon Justice Monica Bolna'na Dongban Mensem CFR; and Chief Judge Federal High Court, Hon Justice John Terhemba Tsoho in a
group photo, when Commission members paid the CJN a courtesy visit on 1st February, 2023.

500 judicial officers were trained between polling units, the certification of the voter’s
the 6th to the 12th of November 2022. register for the 2023 General Election as
Similarly, a compendium of legal offences well as the introduction of the IVED, IReV
and penalties in the electoral and political and BVAS were shared and/or firmed up.
processes was presented to Judicial and Similarly, meetings such as stakeholder
party officials. The compendium helped a consultations on the influence of money on
lot in bringing legal offences and penalties elections in Nigeria and how to address it
together for the first time in a single volume, as well as meetings with transport workers
serving as a one stop reference book. The unions were held.
Commission also planned several meetings
with the Trial/Appellate judges, highlighting
Several other organizations, such as the
the innovations introduced by the Electoral
Centre for Democracy and Development
Act 2022 in the conduct of elections and
(CDD), Action Aid, Yiaga Africa and
the management of the electoral process.
Community Life Project (CLP, Reclaim
Naija) have also provided support in key
6.4. Civic Associations areas leading up to the election. These
included the support CDD provided on
Quarterly meetings with civil society
Media Monitoring, capacity building for
organizations and the media were regular
staff of the ICCC, training support on
throughout the 2019-2023 Electoral Cycle.
strategic communication for staff of the
It was in and through these meetings
VEP Department as well as the sponsoring
that the policies of the Commission were
of TV and Radio jingles. Similarly, Action Aid
disseminated, and where some sensitive
had supported the convening of a meeting
ideas and projects were shared for their
on election logistics, while Yiaga Africa
inputs and suggestions. It is through these
created an enabling environment for the
meetings that the Commission’s ideas and
review of the electoral legal framework. In
policies on the extension of voter access to
addition, CLP provided equipment support,

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through Interra Networks, to the INEC delivery ministries, including the Armed
Call Centre for the 2023 General Election. Forces and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

One of the most significant engagements 6.6. International

by the Commission towards the election
was the signing of the Peace Accord by
Development Partners
candidates of all political parties under the
The Commission regularly engages with
auspices of the National Peace Committee at
the international community to apprise
the International Conference Centre. Such
them of its operations and activities.
Peace Accords have been key aspects of
These engagements were both at bilateral
our elections since 2015, where candidates,
and multilateral levels including meetings
and by implication their supporters, publicly
with the leadership of the Department
accept to adhere to the rules of the game,
of Political Affairs Peace and Security
eschew violence and agree to resolve all
(PAPS) of the African Union (AU) and the
electoral conflicts through legal channels.
Economic Community of West African
For the 2023 General Election, the 18
States (ECOWAS), as well as Resident
political parties under the leadership of the
Representatives of the UN Specialised
National Peace Committee led by General
Agencies in Nigeria (UNDP, UN Refugees
Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd.) international
Commission and UN Women). The
and domestic observers, as well as the
Commission also met at various times with
Commission witnessed the signing of the
the Ambassadors of ECOWAS member
2023 Peace Accord.
states, the EU Delegation, France, Germany,
UK and USA. This is in addition to courtesy
6.5. Ministries, visits to the Commission by several
Departments and Agencies international guests including the United
of Government (MDAs) States Assistant Secretary of State for
Bureau of Africa Affairs, the USAID Assistant
The Commission pursued an active Administrator in Africa, the African Regional
engagement on the 2023 general election Director of the International Foundation
with various Ministries, Departments and for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the Special
Agencies of government in view of their Representative of the United Nations
potentially important supportive roles Secretary General for West Africa and the
to the electoral process. Specifically, the Sahel.
MDAs provided a wide range of support
In the run up to the 2023 General Election,
in terms of advice, expertise and in some
the Commission extended special invitation
cases personnel in the planning, conduct
to the ECOWAS Commission, African Union,
and management of the elections and in
the Commonwealth, and the European
facilitating the deployment of national
Union Commission to observe the election.
assets and logistics. One of the most
Consequently, the Commission received the
significant is the formation of the National
ECOWAS pre-election fact finding mission
Inter-Ministerial Committee on Electoral
led by former President of the Electoral
Logistics, comprising critical logistics and
Commission of Ghana Dr. Kwado Afari-
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Gyan in October 2022, the African Union the Commission appraised the international
Special Pre-Electoral Political Mission led community about its preparations for the
by Former Deputy President of South Africa conduct of the general election with specific
H.E Phumzile Mlanbo Ngouka and the reference to its operations, processes, and
Commonwealth Pre-election Assessment procedures. The Commission also received
Mission (PEAM) led by Ms. Abiola encouragement and useful suggestions
Sunmonu, Adviser & Head of Africa Section based on global best practices in the
in November 2022. In these engagements, conduct of free, fair, and credible elections.

Box 10: Stakeholder Engagements for the 2023 General Election

In the period from 2019 to 2023, the Commission met with the leadership of political parties, as it did with other
stakeholders, to discuss the following issues: i) conduct of bye-elections; ii) pre-election preparations and post-
election review of the off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Kogi, Edo, Ondo, Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states
and the FCT Area Council election; iii) the current state of polling units and the need to expand voter access by
creating additional polling units; iv) modalities, processes and procedures for the Continuous Voter’s Registration
(CVR) exercise; v) deployment of electoral technology including the use of the IVED for voter registration, BVAS
for voter accreditation and uploading of Form EC8A to the IReV, as a well as the launch of various on-line portals
for pre-voter registration and for submission of the list and particulars of candidate and party agents; vi) review
of the Electoral Act 2022 and the Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2022; vii) the role and
responsibilities of political parties and other stakeholders in the areas of voter education and citizens’ mobilisation
for effective and peaceful participation in the political and electoral processes; viii) the promotion of inclusivity, with
specific reference to women, youths and persons living with disabilities in the electoral process; and ix) addressing
the series of attacks on INEC buildings and facilities.

Group photo of participants at the 2nd Signing Ceremony of the National Peace Accord for the 2023 Presidential Election, held in Abuja on
22nd February 2023. It was organized by the National Peace Committee.

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Chapter 7
Voter Education,
Public Enlightenment
and Media Relations

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7.1. Defining the signed into law by President Muhammadu

Buhari on the 25th of February 2022.
Commission’s Narrative on
Elections 7.1.1. Review of the
Communications Policy
Following the successful conduct and
comprehensive review of the 2019 General The maiden INEC Communication Policy
Election, the Independent National which was approved by the Commission in
Electoral Commission (INEC) flagged off May 2013 was comprehensively reviewed in
its preparations for the 2023 General 2018 leading to the approval of the revised
Election. The Strategic Plan 2017-2021 version in 2019. While there has been
was extensively evaluated in terms of no fresh review of the policy since 2019,
its strengths, weaknesses and lessons many of the provisions remain relevant and
learnt, paving the way for the 2022- 2026 adaptable to the prevailing circumstances
Strategic Plan (SP) and the Election Project of the 2023 General Election.
Plan (EPP) to consolidate the gains of the
immediate past electoral cycle and chart a
new course for the next. Subsequently, the 7.2. Implementation of
Commission embarked on various reforms the 2019 Revised Edition
aimed at improving the electoral system,
deepening the application of technology,
of the Communications
expanding voter access to polling units and Policy
strengthening the electoral legal framework
among others. The Voter Education and Publicity (VEP)
Department followed the guidelines and
These reforms paved the way for innovations standards outlined in the Commission’s
such as the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal Revised Communication Policy (2019).
which receives polling unit results for public Information flow was from top to bottom,
viewing and the multi-purpose Bimodal which was replicated in the states where
Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) which elections were conducted during the
registers voters during the Continuous period. Arrangements and other logistics
Voter Registration (CVR); accredits voters information were properly communicated
through fingerprint authentication or to both internal and external publics. Public
facial recognition and uploads polling unit enlightenment and voter sensitisation
results to the IReV on Election Day. The programmes were carried out optimally
Commission also vigorously sought to up to the grassroots, using the various
strengthen the electoral legal framework to communication platforms.
back its innovations and block loopholes,
which through collaboration with the
National Assembly, led to the repeal of
the 2010 Electoral Act and the enactment
of the new Electoral Act, 2022 which was

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7.3. Voter Education and headquarters staff, Electoral Officers,

(EOs) Assistant Electoral Officers, Admin
Enlightenment Campaign: (AEOs) and representatives of the National
Implementation Meetings Orientation Agency (NOA) were fully briefed
about the Commission’s activities geared
An implementation meeting was held on towards enhancing the electoral process,
Thursday 8th September 2022 at Golden and the specific changes in the processes.
Dabis Hotel, Keffi, Nasarawa State, to The meeting also served as a platform to
intimate Heads of Voter Education and sensitize participants on the procedures for
Publicity Units from State offices about safe participation in the electoral process
approved activities and implementation and their responsibilities in getting the
strategies towards the 2023 General messages across to the electorate.
Election. Participants which comprised

Box 11: Innovations in the Run-Up to the 2023 General Election

These reforms paved the way for innovations such as the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal which
receives polling unit results for public viewing and the multi-purpose Bimodal Voter Accreditation
System (BVAS) which registers voters during the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR); accredits
voters through fingerprint authentication or facial recognition and uploads polling unit results
to the IReV on Election Day. The Commission also vigorously sought to strengthen the electoral
legal framework to back its innovations and block loopholes, which through collaboration with
the National Assembly, led to the repeal of the 2010 Electoral Act and the enactment of the new
Electoral Act, which was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on 25th February
2022.

7.3.1. Training of Heads of VEP • Procedures and Processes for nationwide

and Public Affairs Officers in online media accreditation
Collaboration with CDD
• Technologies for 2023 General Election
The Commission collaborated with the
Centre for Democracy and Development to • Issues of Fake News, Misinformation
organise a training for the Heads of VEP in and Disinformation
all State Offices of the Commission between
• Experience Sharing on media interviews.
6th and 7th 2023. The trainings, which were
held in Kano and Lagos, focused on:

• Management of information during

elections

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7.3.2. Capacity Training for Voter activities. The Commission, in collaboration

Education Officers with IFES, also trained voter education staff
on their roles and responsibilities. Eight
The VEP Department embarked on a hundred and eleven (811) participants,
massive capacity building exercise for including AEOs Administration who handle
Voter Education Desk Officers at the voter education at LGA level attended the
State and LGA levels across the country, event.
to enhance their capacity to implement
the Commission’s approved enlightenment

Participants at the Implementation Workshop on Voter Education in session, Keffi, Nasarawa State

Table 7.1: Details of the Capacity Building Workshops for Assistant Electoral Officers

S/N Zone Venue Date

1 North-West Sokoto Tuesday 18th – 21st October, 2022
2 North-East Yola Tuesday 18th – 19th October, 2022
3 North-Central Keffi Tuesday 25th – 28th October, 2022
4 South-West Akure Tuesday 25th – 28th October, 2022
5 South-South Calabar Tuesday 1st – 4th November, 2022
6 South-East Enugu Tuesday 1st – 4th November, 2022

7.3.3. Capacity Building for Voter selected voter education providers across
Education Providers the federation. The training was to enable
them replicate same within their localities.
The Commission in collaboration with United The training which took place in six locations
Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the geo-political zones of the federation
organised a capacity building session for had 222 participants.
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Table 7.2: Details of Workshops for Voter Education Officers

S/N Zone Venue Date

1 North-West Sokoto Monday 17th October, 2022
2 North-East Yola Monday 17th October, 2022
3 North-Central Lokoja Monday 24th October, 2022
4 South-West Ibadan Monday 24th October, 2022
5 South-South Calabar Monday 31st October, 2022
6 South-East Enugu Monday 31st October, 2022

7.3.4. Design and Production of The Commission also engaged the services
Voter Education Materials of some Nollywood celebrities to produce
jingles in Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, English, and
Messages and materials were designed Pidgin languages. All the jingles produced
and developed for voter education were translated into various indigenous
and enlightenment in various forms languages by INEC States offices and aired
and languages, including animations, locally. Jingles were aired across the country
infographics, Frequently Asked Questions on both state- and privately-owned radio
(FAQs), pamphlets and fliers on Rights and and television stations as well as television
Responsibilities of voters, Election Offences, networks such as NTA, Channels TV and
Accreditation and Voting Procedures, AIT. This increased citizens’ awareness of
Collation and Declaration of Results, Dates, the processes and procedures for election
Venue and Time of Election. The electronic and consequently enabled them to make
versions of these materials were uploaded informed choices.
to the Commission’s website and social
medial platforms. 7.3.6. Radio, Television, Social Media
Engagements and Digital/Strategic
7.3.5. Audio and Video Jingles Communication Teams
Eight types of audio and video jingles were Voter education and enlightenment
produced for the 2023 General Election in materials were designed and uploaded to
the following thematic areas: the Commission’s various social media and
inecnews platforms giving opportunity
• CVR (basic facts, requirements, and to citizens, mostly young people to
procedure for participation in the CVR, access information about the electoral
PVC Collection and its importance). process. Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter,
and Instagram were useful platforms for
• Election (voting procedure, basic facts, this engagement. A special interactive
BVAS and IReV Technology, campaign radio programme titled “Electoral Half
against violence, vote buying and selling; Hour” was sponsored in each state per
safety of election officials).

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quarter and used to educate the public on election. Similarly, the VEP Department
the electoral process and particularly the in collaboration with the Procurement
introduction of technology. In addition, Department engaged advertising agents to
two Strategic Communication Teams were display voter enlightenment messages on
established to support Voter Education and billboards at strategic locations nationwide.
Publicity Department in responding to the Banners containing logos of political parties
issues trending in the traditional and new and correct thumb printing methods were
media about the electoral process and the also produced and mounted at all INEC
Commission. LGA Offices nationwide. Road shows were
held across the 6 geo-political zones of
7.3.7. Youth Votes Count Outreach the country to sensitise and mobilise the
and Outdoor Display of Election electorate. Furthermore, the Commission
Messages, Road Shows and participated in the Calabar Carnival which
Carnivals holds every year in Cross River State to
create awareness.
The Commission, in collaboration with the
European Union and the Youth Initiative, 7.3.8 Dissemination of Information
Advocacy for Growth and Advancement by Bulk SMS
(YIAGA) Africa, successfully conducted the
Youth Votes Count campaign for students, In the week before each set of elections,
youths and other citizens in Lagos and the messages were sent through the bulk Short
FCT where different artistes/celebrities Message Service (SMS) to registered voters
performed on stage with focus on voter across the country to remind and mobilise
enlightenment messages. The exercise them to participate in the election. They
was effective in mobilising the target were also informed of basic information
groups to get registered, collect their about the election.
PVC and consequently participate in the

Participants at the 'YouthVoteCount' Concert. Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos. 11th June 2022

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7.4 Engagements with the which manifested in the subsequent,

more balanced reportage of its activities
Media throughout the period under review. While
the challenges of fake news, misinformation
The traditional cordial relationship and disinformation remain, much of
between the Commission and media what would have adversely impacted
deepened and blossomed before, during the narratives around the election were
and after the 2023 General Election, mitigated by the Commission’s proactive
in line with its desire to continually engagement with the media underscored by
“interact nationally and internationally its transparency, accessibility, and sincerity.
with relevant stakeholders (Objective
4). The Commission’s recognition of the 7.4.1 Strategic Meetings with Media
media as a strategic partner underscored
Executives, Online Publishers, and
the deliberate effort to secure the buy-in
Line Editors
of the fourth estate of the realm for the
various electoral reforms and technological Meetings were held with Media Executives,
innovations embarked upon immediately Online Publishers, and Line Editors in
after the 2019 General Election. The Lagos, between 24th and 25th November
Office of the Chief Press Secretary to Hon 2021 where selected Directors at INEC
Chairman, in collaboration with the VEP Headquarters made presentations on the
Department and Development Partners, Commission’s processes, innovations,
played significant roles in implementing and preparations for the 2023 General
the INEC Communication Policy to attain Election. The interactive session that
the Commission’s strategic communication followed provided the participants with the
goals and bringing top media executives, opportunity to clarify several issues. The
editors, online publishers and line editors Media Executives and Online Publishers
to the table for constructive dialogues with that attended the event came from all over
the Commission. Capacity development the country and expressed satisfaction
workshops were also organized for the INEC about the outcome of the initiative. The
Press Corps and INEC State Public Affairs event was jointly organised with the
officers in collaboration with development International Press Centre (IPC) and the
partners throughout the period under Institute of Media and Society (IMS).
review. The Commission also deployed
its social media platforms – X (Formerly 7.4.2 Capacity Development for
known as Twitter), Facebook, Instagram,
INEC Press Corps Members
WhatsApp, its official online newspaper -
inecnews.com - timely press conferences, The INEC Press Corps comprises over
releases, and special publications, to 90 members from the print, broadcast,
disseminate critical information about the and online media organisations, who are
preparations for the election, the conduct of duly accredited to cover and report on
the polls and the aftermath. Through these the Commission’s activities. Due to their
deliberate efforts, the Commission secured direct constant interactions with and
the media’s support and understanding access to the Commission, the important
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roles that they play in the dissemination all legal and regulatory instruments guiding
of information about its activities cannot the Commission’s activities and the 2023
be overemphasised. Since a journalist is elections.
as good and as accurate as the quality of
information at his disposal, the Commission As part of its support to the Commission, the
believes that a proper understanding of Centre for Democracy and Development
its processes and procedures and the laws in collaboration with INEC organised
governing its activities is key to a journalist’s workshops in two locations, Kano, and
ability to report objectively on those Lagos for HoDs VEP and Public Affairs
activities. For that reason, the Commission Officers (PAOs) on Sensitive Reporting
organised a capacity development and its effect on the electoral process
workshop for members of the Press Corps with focus on the 2023 General Election.
between 26th and 27th September in Lagos The Centre also organised Strategic
where selected INEC Directors presented Communication Training for Management
the majority of the 11 papers that were Staff of the Commission and Media
presented at the event. The European Union monitoring techniques for other staff of
facilitated the event under the European the department. The two programmes took
Union Support for Democratic Governance place in Abuja. In addition, CDD organised
II being implemented by the DAI. sensitization forums for Journalists in the
six geopolitical zones.
7.4.3 The Creation of INEC TV
Online 7.4.5. Advertisements in the Media
Advertisements were placed in major
During the build-up to the general election,
National Newspapers. Announcements
the Commission created “INEC Online TV”
on Radio and Television Stations were
for disseminating information. It could be
also made by the Commission to create
viewed on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and
awareness on key policies and programmes
Instagram.
relating to the elections on National
Television stations like Nigerian Television
7.4.4. Workshops and Training for
Authority (NTA), Channels Television, Africa
Journalists on Conflict Reporting
Independent Television (AIT). The contents
were also uploaded to the Commission’s
Considering the critical role of the Media
social media platforms. At the state level,
in the coverage of electoral activities, the
Radio and Television stations were equally
Commission in collaboration with the
employed to reach targeted groups.
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) held
workshops in the six geopolitical zones
across the country. The workshops were
7.4.6. Media Accreditation for the
held in two states in each zone. Essentially, 2023 General Election
the aim of the workshop was to equip media The Commission deployed its On-line
practitioners with basic and fundamental Media Accreditation portal introduced in
knowledge of the electoral activities and

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2019 to accredit media organisations and Journalists.

professionals for the 2023 General Election.
Details of those accredited via the portal 7.4.7. INEC Citizens Contact Centre
are: The INEC Citizens Contact Centre (ICCC)
relocated to the International Conference
• Total number of users- organisations/ Centre a few weeks to the Presidential
individuals- 4,529 and National Assembly elections. With the
equipment provided by the Ford Foundation
• Total number of organisations -1667,
through Community Life Project (CLP) and
(Local 1630; Foreign 37)
facilitated by Interra Networks Limited,
the Centre functioned effectively during
• Total applications received during the
the period. Call Agents and Situation
period – 947
Room staff were recruited and adequately
• Total number of applications approved trained on how to engage with the public
– 716 during the election. The Centre was fully
operational from 7 .00am to 8.00pm prior
• Total number of nominations -10,636 to the eve of the election and later up
scaled to 24 hours from Election Day. It was
The Total Accreditation Statistics is as a beehive of activities during the collation
follows: of presidential election results and served
as venue for daily briefings of Journalists
At the close of the Portal on 6th February and other stakeholders which commenced
2023, 947 applications were received online on February 23, 2023. The briefings were
out of which 716 were approved while 471 well covered by all accredited Journalists
organisations concluded the process for (local and international). The proceedings
8,521 personnel from 10, 636 nominations. at the Centre were also streamed live by
media organisations and INEC TV online.
Manual: For the Media organisations Both Foreign and local television stations
who were unable to complete the conducted live interviews at the Centre.
online accreditation process, 2,950 Apart from the coverage of collation of
manual accreditation tags were printed Presidential results and eventual declaration
for distribution to states and the FCT. of the winner, the media adequately
Consequently, 11,471 persons were covered Post–election activities at the ICC
accredited for the 2023 General Election, which included presentation of Certificates
made up of local and foreign Journalists. of Return to President and Vice President
In addition, special accreditation was done elect, Senators and Members of House
for the National Collation Centre for the of Representatives elect. The following
Presidential/National Assembly election. channels of communication were used to
Four hundred and forty-five (445) media reach out to the public during the period.
personnel were accredited for the Collation
Centre, including 415 local and 30 Foreign

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7.4.8. Engagements Via Support (ECES), to track trending news and

Communication Channels opinions published by the print media and
aired by broadcast stations. It also monitors
Over 200,000 calls were processed by the public perception about the Commission’s
ICCC within the period. Fifteen Call Agents activities and the electoral process. The
were available at every shift running 24 major objective was to identify reports
hours to respond to inquiries and receive needing urgent attention or responses
reports from the public on election related either through press releases, rejoinders,
issues. The introduction of short code easy- or other strategic engagement with the
to-remember 4632 access number was a media. During the period under review, the
huge success as close to 99 percent of the social and traditional media platforms were
calls received were through this channel. awash with fake news, misinformation, and
disinformation on several issues bordering
7.4.9. Social Media Analysis (23rd on registration of under-age voters in some
– 28th February 2023 and 15th – States, electronic transmission of results,
18th March 2023) discovery of PVCs in forests and shrines,
vote buying, and ballot box stuffing during
Facebook
the elections among others.
• Followers 938,487
• Reach 1,112,864
However, the Commission’s proactive
• Gender Participation: Male – 81,50%,
and regular dissemination of information
Female – 18.50%
about its policies and activities through the
mainstream media, social media platforms
Twitter
and online newspaper (inecnews.com)
• Followers 2.8 million
countered fake narratives as much as
• Impressions 53.8 million
possible.
Instagram 7.4.11. Engagements with Electoral
• Followers 500,868
Stakeholders
• Interactions: 47,500
• Reach: 725,000 The electoral system requires regular
• Gender Participation: Male – 65%, interactions between the Commission and
Female – 34.3% critical stakeholders to enable the former to
inform, educate and enlighten the latter on
7.4.10. Media Monitoring Centre: the various aspects of the electoral process,
Challenges of Misinformation, thereby enabling and empowering them to
Disinformation and Fake News make informed decisions.

The media monitoring centre was The Commission, therefore, organised

established by the Commission during the several engagements with stakeholders
2019 General election in collaboration in the electoral process in addition to
with the European Centre for Electoral having regular quarterly or emergency

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meetings with identified stakeholders. Support for Democratic Governance in

The Commission’s State Offices also had Nigeria II (EU-SDGN II), funded by the
several consultations with traditional European Union (EU).
rulers, religious leaders, and Civil Society
Organisations (CSOs) both at the state and The UNDP provided support for venues,
local government levels. accommodation, and transportation
allowances for participants at the Voter
In recognising its grassroots enlightenment Education Desk Officers’ capacity building
capacity, INEC collaborated with the workshop held simultaneously across the
National Orientation Agency (NOA) to six geo-political zones of the country. The
further expand the reach of the voter UNDP also sponsored the translation and
enlightenment drive within the country. airing of jingles on behalf of the Commission.
Funds were approved and disbursed to
the Agency for the implementation of IFES provided support in the review of
grassroots enlightenment activities. the Commission’s voter education training
manual, which is used to train voter
The organisation sponsored the production education officers in the states in addition
of audio and video messages and sponsored to providing additional logistics supports for
the airing of the same on select radio and the implementation meeting and capacity
TV stations in the country. It implements building workshops for VEP staff.
“Component I” of the European Union

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Chapter 8
Key Activities
Towards the 2023
General Election

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8.1. Funding the 2023 Committee set up by the Commission; iii) pay
the salaries, fees and other remuneration
General Election or allowances, pensions, gratuities of its
officials and staff members; iv) maintain any
The Independent National Electoral property vested in the Commission; and v)
Commission is one of the statutory Federal pay for any of its functions.
Executive bodies established by Section
153, Part 1 of the Third Schedule of the Arising from the above, the Federal
1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic Government of Nigeria is solely responsible
of Nigeria (as amended). Section 81(2,3&4) for providing funding to the Commission
of the Constitution provides that the as a sovereign responsibility. Such funding
required funding to meet the expenditure of includes monies for the Commission’s
the Commission be issued directly from the annual budget to meet its capital and
Consolidated Revenue of the Federation recurrent expenditure and monies for the
to the Commission. In other words, the conduct of a general election and all other
Commission is on a first-line charge to the elections. Based on the key activities in the
consolidated revenue. The Section also approved Election Project Plan for the 2023
stipulated that any further funding required general election, the Commission proposed
by the Commission should be presented to a budget of N305,001,824,846.49k (Three
the National Assembly for supplementary hundred and five billion, one million,
appropriation if the amount in the original eight hundred and twenty-four thousand,
budget is insufficient or if no amount was eight hundred and forty-six naira and
provided for in the original budget to meet forty-nine kobo) for the conduct of the
unforeseen expenditure. election. The breakdown of this amount
shows that the Commission requires
Furthermore, Section 3 of the Electoral Act N159,766,227,723.25K (One hundred
2022 establishes the Independent National and fifty nine billion, seven hundred and
Electoral Commission Fund into which all sixty six million, two hundred and twenty
sums from the Federal Government as well seven thousand, seven hundred and twenty
as returns on Commission’s investments three Naira, twenty five kobo) for electoral
should be paid for the performance of operations; N117,379,778,270.61K (One
its functions. The Section also stipulated hundred and seventeen billion, three
that funds due to the Commission for any hundred and seventy nine million, seven
general election should be released not hundred and seventy eight thousand,
later than one year before the election and two hundred and seventy Naira, sixty
gave the Commission the power to disburse one kobo) for electoral technology; and
such funds in accordance with its financial N20,416,749,971.50K (twenty billion, four
rules and regulations. The subjects on which hundred and sixteen million, seven hundred
the Commission can expend such funds as and forty nine thousand, nine hundred
spelled out in Section 4 of the Act include and seventy one hundred, fifty kobo) for
to: i) defray the cost of administration of the electoral administrative costs. The sum of
Commission; ii) reimburse members of any N7,439,068,899.13K (seven billion, four

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hundred and thirty-nine million, sixty- were destroyed or burnt and replace lost
eight thousand, eight hundred and ninety- election materials due to arson attacks and
nine Naira, thirteen kobo), that is 2.5% fire outbreak. To be sure, the Commission
of the election operation, technological suffered more than 50 attacks on its
and administrative costs is set aside for facilities and vandalisation of properties and
unforeseen electoral expenses. election material between 2019 and 2022.
The Commission was therefore compelled
In line with the provisions of the 1999 to request for supplementary appropriation
Constitution, the Commission’s budget in the sum of N52,119,179,322:11K (Fifty-
proposal for the 2023 General Election two billion, one hundred and nineteen
was submitted to the Presidency and was million, one hundred and seventy-nine
duly transmitted to the National Assembly thousand, three hundred- and twenty-two-
for consideration and appropriation. naira, eleven kobo) from the Presidency.
Consequently, the Commission appeared
before Senate and House Committees The request was duly considered and
on INEC as well as the Senate and House approved for appropriation by the
Appropriations Committee in a joint National Assembly bringing the total
session during which the INEC Chairman funds approved and appropriated for the
presented the expenditure layout of conduct of the 2023 general election to
the budget and answered all questions N355,298,198,340.47k (Three hundred and
and queries from Committee members. fifty-five billion, two hundred and ninety-
Thereafter, the National Assembly eight million, one hundred and ninety-
approved and appropriated the sum of eight thousand, three hundred- and forty
N303,179,019,018.36K (Three hundred and Naira, forty-seven Kobo). The breakdown
three billion, one hundred and seventy-nine of the appropriated amount on the basis
million, nineteen thousand- and eighteen- of the Average Cost per Registered Voter
naira, thirty-six kobo) for the conduct of the Index (COVI), for the 93,469,008 registered
2023 general election. voters in Nigeria is N3,801 (US$6.72) per
voter. This is well within the internationally
However, by January 2023, it was clear acceptable Average Cost per Registered
that this amount would not be enough Voter (ACRV) of $4 to $8 that is deemed
for the conduct of the election due to the adequate for the conduct of election in
inflation rate and consumer price index as transitional democracies. In fact, the ACRV
well as the widening differentials in the for the 2023 general election is less than
foreign exchange rate. These three factors the actual cost of $9.62 and US$7.38 cost
negatively impacted on the procurement per voter for the 2015 and 2019 general
of domestic goods and services and the election respectively1 and very reasonable
purchase of offshore electoral equipment in comparison to the cost per voter in other
and materials. Furthermore, the Commission transitional democracies such as Ghana2
also faced the necessity to rebuild or and Kenya3.
relocate its operations from its buildings that
1
The average exchange rate at the parallel market was N165 and N305 to US$ respectively for the 2015 and 2019 General Elections and N565 to US$1 for
the 2023 General Election
Speech delivered by the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana at the Assessment of the 2020 Election, 2 May 2021
2

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC)

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Consequent upon the appropriation of was released to the Commission in August

the election budget proposals by the and September 2023 as shown in Table 8.1.
National Assembly, the Commission The sum of N61,817,578,700.18K (Sixty-
engaged with the Honourable Minister one billion, eight hundred and seventeen
and officials of the Ministry of Finance, million, five hundred and seventy-eight
Budget and National Planning for the thousand, seven-hundred-naira, eighteen
release of funds as stipulated in Section kobo), is outstanding as of October 2023.
81(2,3&4) of the 1999 Constitution. This
led to the cumulative release of the sum of A further amount of N20,000,000,000K
N293,480,619,640.29K (Two hundred and (Twenty billion naira) was released to the
ninety-three billion, four hundred and eighty Commission in August and September
million, six hundred and nineteen thousand, 2023 as shown in Table 8.1. The sum of
six hundred- and forty Naira, twenty-nine N61,817,578,700.18K (Sixty-one billion,
Kobo) in tranches between February 2022 eight hundred and seventeen million, five
and February 2023. A further amount of hundred and seventy-eight thousand,
N20,000,000,000K (Twenty billion naira) seven-hundred-naira, eighteen kobo), is
outstanding as of October 2023.

Box 12: Breakdown of the 2023 General Election Budget

…arising from the above, the Federal Government of Nigeria is solely responsible for providing
funding to the Commission as a sovereign responsibility. Such funding includes monies for the
Commission’s annual budget to meet its capital and recurrent expenditure and monies for the
conduct of a general election and all other elections. Based on the key activities in the approved
Election Project Plan for the 2023 general election, the Commission proposed a budget of
305,001,824,846.49k (Three hundred and five billion, one million, eight hundred and twenty-four
thousand, eight hundred and forty-six naira and forty-nine kobo) for the conduct of the election.
The breakdown of this amount shows that the Commission requires N159,766,227,723.25K
(One hundred and fifty nine billion, seven hundred and sixty six million, two hundred and twenty
seven thousand, seven hundred and twenty three Naira, twenty five kobo) for electoral operations;
N117,379,778,270.61K (One hundred and seventeen billion, three hundred and seventy nine
million, seven hundred and seventy eight thousand, two hundred and seventy Naira, sixty one
kobo) for electoral technology; and N20,416,749,971.50K (twenty billion, four hundred and
sixteen million, seven hundred and forty nine thousand, nine hundred and seventy one hundred,
fifty kobo) for electoral administrative costs. The sum of N7,439,068,899.13K (seven billion,
four hundred and thirty-nine million, sixty-eight thousand, eight hundred and ninety-nine Naira,
thirteen kobo), that is 2.5% of the election operation, technological and administrative costs is
set aside for unforeseen electoral expenses…

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Table 8.1: Budget and Fund Releases for the 2023 General Election
S/N Particulars Amount
1 2023 General Election Approved Original Budget 303,179,019,018.36
2 2023 General Election Approved Supplementary 52,119,179,322.11
Budget
3 Total Approved EPP Budget 355,298,198,340.47
4 Total Funds Released from February 2022 to 293,480,619,640.29
February 2023
5 Total Funds Released from August to September 20,000,000,000
2023
6 Total Funds Released from February 2022 to 313,480,619,640.29
September 2023
7 Total Outstanding Funds 41,817,578,700.18

The Commission also receives support from Federation for Electoral Systems (IFES) with
Development Partners for electoral activities funding from the United States and United
around training, capacity building, civic and Kingdom Department for International
voter education, production of information, Development (USAID/UKAID), the United
education and communication materials Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
and engagement with stakeholders. These with funding from the Norwegian Ministry
supports are directed at the provision of Foreign Affairs, ACTIONAID with funding
of technical assistance, information from the Ford Foundation and the German
dissemination, strengthening the integrity Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES).
of the electoral process, promoting citizens’
participation, and enhancing advocacy In receiving these supports, the relationship
for inclusivity with reference to women, between the Commission and the
youths, persons with disability and other International Development Partners is
marginalized groups. As shown in Table governed by the INEC Policy on Receiving
8.2, Commission during the 2019 - 2023 Support from Development Partners. The
Electoral Cycle received support from policy, which is anchored on the principles
the European Union (EU) through the of independence, zero cash transfer,
European Union Support for Democratic flexibility, accountability, and coordination
Governance in Nigeria (EU/SDGN) Project identifies the areas of support that IDPs are
I and II implemented between May 2019 allowed to contribute and the processes and
and April 2022 by the European Centre procedures for requesting and receiving such
for Electoral Support (ECES) and from May support. Accordingly, the overall control
2022 by the Development Alternative over the purpose of any donor support is
Incorporated (DAI) respectively. Support determined by the Commission based on
was also received from the International its strategic interest and as required by the

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Office of the Honourable Chairman. To be any activity requested by the Commission

clear, the Commission does not receive that are usually directed at meeting urgent
any direct cash transfer from development and sometimes unanticipated needs or to
partners. Rather, these partners are augment the cost of enhancing electoral
required to hold on to their funds and integrity.
undertake the direct implementation of

Table 8.2: Activities Supported by International Development Partners Towards the 2023
General Election
SN Development Partner Activities Supported
1 ECES up till April 2022 Engagement and Deployment of Technical Advisers

Engagement and Deployment of Consultant and

Desk Officers to the Election Management Support
Centre

Training and Capacity Building for Election

Management Support Centre personnel

Production of Information, Communication and

Education materials

Organisation of Workshops
2 DAI from May 2022 Engagement and Deployment of Technical Advisers
3 IFES Training and Capacity Building

Organisation of Workshops

Production of Information, Communication and

Education materials

Organisation of Workshops
4 UNDP Training and Capacity Building

5 ACTIONAID Organisation of Review Meeting on Electoral Logistic

6 FES Review of MoU with Transport Workers Unions

Production of Information, Communication and

Education materials

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8.2. Registration and De- election, d) one seat in the National or State
House of Assembly election, or e) one seat
Registration of Political in the councillorship election.
Parties
In compliance with Article 222 of the
The Commission is empowered by the Constitution, the Commission received
Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 124 applications from political associations
1999 (as amended) to register and de- seeking registration as political parties in
register political parties in accordance with the period between 2019 and 2022. The
the provisions of the Constitution and initial assessment of these applications
the Electoral Act. The conditions for the shows that 108 associations did not meet
registration and de-registration of political the conditions for registration for reasons of
parties are spelled out in Article 222 and non-compliance with the extant provisions
225A of the Constitution respectively. of the 1999 Constitution, but 11 of them
The conditions for the registration of any were given the opportunity to remedy and
association seeking registration as a political re-submit their application. However, the
party is spelled out Section 222. These are Commission’s effort to verify the claims
that: i)the names and addresses of its national by the associations that successfully
officers are registered with the INEC; ii) the passed through the initial assessment
membership of the association is open to was circumscribed by Section 75 of the
every citizen of Nigeria of irrespective of Electoral Act 2022 which stipulates that
his place of origin, circumstance of birth, the registration of any association seeking
sex, religion or ethnic grouping; iii) a copy to register as a political party shall be
of its constitution is registered with INEC; done not later than 12 months before a
iv) any alteration to its Constitution must general election. Consequently, apart from
be registered with INEC within 30 days of the registration of the Booth Party which
making such alteration; v) its name, symbol was registered by Court order in the run-
or logo should not contain any ethnic or up to the 2019 general election and did
religious connotation or give the appearance not participate in the election, no political
that the activities of the association are association was registered as a political
confined to a part only of the geographical party between 2019 and 2022.
territory of Nigeria; and v) its headquarters
should be situated in the Federal Capital Also, in compliance with Article 225A of the
Territory, Abuja. On the other hand, Section Constitution, the Commission undertook a
225A of the Constitution empowers the comprehensive review of the performance
Commission to de-register a political party of the 91 registered political parties in the
that: i) breaches any of the requirements for aftermath of the 2019 general election.
registration; or ii) fails to win at least 25% Following the review, 74 political parties
of vote cast in a) one state of the federation were de-registered on 6th February 2020
in the presidential election, b) one local for non-compliance with their registration
government of a state in the governorship requirements, inability to win a legislative
election, c) one ward in the chairmanship seat either in the National, State and

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FCT elections and/or inability to secure of the political parties (African Peoples
25% of votes cast in a governorship or Party, APP) and ordered the re-listing on
presidential election. But dissatisfied with another one (Youth Party, YP) as a political
the application of the law governing the party. However, these parties were unable
de-registration of political parties, 22 of to participate in the 2023 general election
the 74 de-registered political parties went due to the application of Section 75 of the
to Court to challenge the Commission’s Electoral Act 2022. In all, 18 political parties
decision. Eventually, the Court restrained participated in, and presented candidates
the Commission from de-registering one for the election as shown in Table 8.3.

Table 8.3: Names, Acronyms and Logos of Political Parties in the 2023 General Election
S/N Name Acronym Logo Date of Registration

1 Accord A 10/08/2006

2 Action Alliance AA 29/05/2005

3 African Action Congress AAC 14/08/2018

4 African Democratic Congress ADC 22/03/2006

5 Action Democratic Party ADP 07/06/2017

6 All Progressives Congress APC 31/07/2012

7 All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA 22/03/2017

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8 Allied Peoples' Movement APM 14/08/2018

9 Action Peoples Party APP 03/08/2017

10 Boot Party BP 29/08/2019

11 Labour Party LP 25/05/2005

12 New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP 03/12/2002

13 National Rescue Movement NRM 14/12/2017

14 Peoples Democratic Party PDP 21/12/1998

16 Peoples Redemption Party PRP Registered 03/12/2002,

De-registered 06/12/2012
Restored by Court Order
17/12/2015
16 Social Democratic Party SDP 30/08/2010

17 Young Progressive Party YPP 07/07/2017

18 Zenith Labour Party ZLP 14/08/2018

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Box 13: Deregistration of Political Parties

…also, in compliance with Article 225A of the Constitution, the Commission undertook a
comprehensive review of the performance of the 91 registered political parties in the aftermath
of the 2019 general election. Following the review, 74 political parties were de-registered on
6th February 2020 for non-compliance with their registration requirements, inability to win a
legislative seat either in the National, State and FCT elections and/or inability to secure 25%
of vote cast in in a governorship or presidential election. But dissatisfied with the application
of the law governing the de-registration of political parties, 22 of the 74 de-registered political
parties went to Court to challenge the Commission’s decision. Eventually, the Court restrained
the Commission from de-registering one of the political parties (African Peoples Party, APP) and
ordered the re-listing on another one (Youth Party, YP) as a political party. However, these parties
were unable to participate in the 2023 general election due to the application of Section 75 of
the Electoral Act 2022. In all, 18 political parties participated part in, and present candidates for
the election..

8.3. Continuous Voter registration venue.

Registration When the CVR exercise was suspended in

August 2018 to enable the Commission to
The Commission is empowered by Part 1 prepare for the 2019 general election, it was
Section 15(e) of the third schedule of the with the intention of resuming it after the
1999 Constitution (as amended) to arrange election. Towards this end, the Commission
and conduct the registration of persons reviewed and developed the technological
qualified to vote and to prepare, maintain infrastructure required to improve the
and revise the register of voters for the process by developing the INEC Voter
purpose of any election. The Commission Enrolment Device (IVED) which is designed
is further empowered by Sections 9-23 to eliminate the possibility of voting by
of the Electoral Act 2022 to conduct the identity theft using another person’s
registration of persons qualified to vote, Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to vote on
and to prepare, maintain and revise the Election Day. More importantly, the devise
Register of Voters. The eligibility criteria for was designed to capture both fingerprint
voter registration as spelled out in Section and facial biometric for the purpose of
10(2) of the Electoral Act 2022 are that any voter authentication thereby eliminating
person seeking to be registered as a voter the use of incident form on Election Day.
must: a) be a citizen of Nigeria, b) have The Commission also conceived and built
attained the age of 18 years, on or before the INEC on-line registration portal that
the registration day, c) not subject to any allows members of the public to access,
legal incapacity to vote under any law, complete and submit their application for
rules or regulation in force in Nigeria, and pre-registration, voter transfer, review,
d) appear in person and present himself/ information update and PVC replacement.
herself to the Registration Officers at the

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With the required infrastructure for the exercise on the 28th of June 2021 with
undertaking the CVR exercise in place, the on-line pre-registration, and the physical
Commission was about to resume the CVR registration at the State and LGA offices,
exercise towards the end of 2019 when as well as designated centres nationwide
the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. At the on the 26th of July 2021. During the third
height of the global health emergency, not quarter of the exercise from the 11th of
only did the Commission had to suspend April to the 30th of June 2022, the exercise
its electoral activities in line with public was devolved to rotate at Registration Area
safety rules, but it was also compelled to (RA) level to give better access for eligible
issue a policy on conducting elections in voters to register. Although the exercise was
the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in scheduled to end on the 30th of June 2022,
May 2020. The major fulcrum of the policy it was extended by one month to the 31st
was the determination of the Commission of July 2022 with an expanded timeframe
to protect voters, election officials and all of 9am to 5pm daily, including weekends to
stakeholders in the electoral process while allow more eligible voters to register.
at the same time committed to ensuring that
all elections are conducted as scheduled Over a period of 13 months from June 2021
within the extant legal framework to to July 2022, the exercise was conducted
forestall a constitutional crisis. over four quarters as shown in Table 8.4
during which prospective first-time voters
Given the importance of the CVR exercise who turned 18 years old after August 2018
for the registration of new voters and and those who were unable to register in
enabling already registered voters to previous CVR exercises were provided the
transfer their vote, review and update their opportunity to do so. It also enabled already
voter registration information or request a registered voters to transfer their voting
replacement for their damaged or lost PVC, location from one location to another and
the Commission worked assiduously to those with incorrect details on their PVC
ensure the commencement of the exercise to seek remedial action and anyone with
in the first quarter of 2021. However, due damaged, defaced, or faded PVC to request
to the public safety challenges and health for a replacement.
risks associated with the pandemic, the
Commission was only able to commence

Table 8.4: Schedule for the Continuous Voter Registration for the 2023 General Election
Quarter Activity Date
1st Quarter Registration of Voters 28th June - 21st September 2021
Display of the Register for Claims 24th - 30th September 2021
and Objections
2nd Quarter Registration of Voters 4th October - 20th December 2021
Display of the Register for Claims 24th - 30th December 2021
and Objections
3rd Quarter Registration of Voters 3rd January - 22nd March 2022

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Display of the Register for Claims 26th March - 1st April 2022
and Objections
4th Quarter Registration of Voters 11th April - 30th June 2022
Display of the Register for Claims 4th - 11th July 2022
and Objections
Extension Registration of Voters 30th June - 31st July 2022

At the suspension of the CVR exercise The first was the use of photos which
in July 2022, a total of 12,298,944 new was followed using fingerprints and facial
voters were registered in the four quarters biometrics to determine double or multiple
as shown in Table 8.5 below. Lagos State registrants. After a comparison between
recorded the highest total number of any pairs marked as duplicates from both
585,629 new registrations (4.8%), closely processes, the new registration data of such
followed by Kano State with 569,103 (4.6%) confirmed double or multiple registrants is
and Delta State with 523,517 (4.3%). Ekiti, removed from the register of voters. At the
Yobe and FCT recorded the least number end of the process, a total of 2,780,756
of new registrants with 124,844, 152,414 (22.6%) records were confirmed as double
and 211,341 respectively as shown in or multiple registrants and invalidated
Table 8.6. These new registrants were then reducing the number of registered voters to
subjected to the de-duplication and clean- 9,518,188. The State-by-State breakdown
up process using a two-way Advanced of registered voters is as shown in Table 8.6.
Biometric Identification System (ABIS).

Table 8.5: Number of Successful Registrations in Each CVR Quarter

S/N Quarter Completed Registration Percentage
1 First Quarter 1,149,955 9.35
2 Second Quarter 1,236,661 10.06
3 Third Quarter 2,149,628 17.48
4 Fourth Quarter 7,762,700 63.12
TOTAL 12,298,944 100%

Table 8.6: Distribution of CVR Data by State and Gender

S/N State Total Registrations Male Female % Male % Female
1 Abia 196,683 96,088 100,595 48.9% 51.1%
2 Adamawa 222,308 117,712 104,596 52.9% 47.1%
3 Akwa Ibom 236,613 114,702 121,911 48.5% 51.5%
4 Anambra 217,636 100,583 117,053 46.2% 53.8%
5 Bauchi 288,282 155,801 132,481 54.0% 46.0%
6 Bayelsa 137,139 69,561 67,578 50.7% 49.3%

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7 Benue 302,027 148,361 153,666 49.1% 50.9%

8 Borno 198,272 98,686 99,586 49.8% 50.2%
9 Cross River 245,331 125,150 120,181 51.0% 49.0%
10 Delta 369,838 171,103 198,735 46.3% 53.7%
11 Ebonyi 161,447 74,540 86,907 46.2% 53.8%
12 Edo 292,292 143,864 148,428 49.2% 50.8%
13 Ekiti 76,347 35,505 40,842 46.5% 53.5%
14 Enugu 182,304 82,952 99,352 45.5% 54.5%
15 Gombe 181,331 101,680 79,651 56.1% 43.9%
16 Imo 172,538 86,922 85,616 50.4% 49.6%
17 Jigawa 240,674 115,277 125,397 47.9% 52.1%
18 Kaduna 412,977 203,934 209,043 49.4% 50.6%
19 Kano 469,818 259,745 210,073 55.3% 44.7%
20 Katsina 289,030 138,551 150,479 47.9% 52.1%
21 Kebbi 226,444 110,971 115,473 49.0% 51.0%
22 Kogi 293,015 131,653 161,362 44.9% 55.1%
23 Kwara 287,393 140,595 146,798 48.9% 51.1%
24 Lagos 504,901 258,961 245,940 51.3% 48.7%
25 Nasarawa 274,879 133,907 140,972 48.7% 51.3%
26 Niger 316,136 160,839 155,297 50.9% 49.1%
27 Ogun 271,745 125,369 146,376 46.1% 53.9%
28 Ondo 178,213 85,456 92,757 48.0% 52.0%
29 Osun 268,230 122,175 146,055 45.5% 54.5%
30 Oyo 340,938 162,214 178,724 47.6% 52.4%
31 Plateau 311,842 147,337 164,505 47.2% 52.8%
32 Rivers 317,717 160,486 157,231 50.5% 49.5%
33 Sokoto 269,757 120,911 148,846 44.8% 55.2%
34 Taraba 248,731 125,888 122,843 50.6% 49.4%
35 Yobe 119,638 73,107 46,531 61.1% 38.9%
36 Zamfara 211,970 86,924 125,046 41.0% 59.0%
37 FCT 183,752 93,763 89,989 51.0% 49.0%
Total 9,518,188 4,681,273 4,836,915 49.2% 50.8%

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Box 14: Suspension of CVR for the 2023 GE and Deduplication of CVR Data

…at the suspension of the CVR exercise in July 2022, a total of 12,298,944 new voters were
registered in the four quarters as shown in Table 8.5 below. Lagos State recorded the highest
total number of 585,629 new registrations (4.8%), closely followed by Kano State with 569,103
(4.6%) and Delta State with 523,517 (4.3%). Ekiti, Yobe and FCT recorded the least number
of new registrants with 124,844, 152,414 and 211,341 respectively…These new registrants
were then subjected to the de-duplication and clean-up process using the two-way Advanced
Biometric Identification System (ABIS). The first was the use of photos which was followed using
fingerprints and facial biometrics to determine double or multiple registrants. After a comparison
between any pairs marked as duplicates from both processes, the new registration data of such
confirmed double or multiple registrants is removed from the register of voters. At the end of the
process, a total of 2,780,756 (22.6%) records were confirmed as double or multiple registrants
and invalidated reducing the number of registered voters to 9,518,188. The State-by-State
breakdown of registered voters…

The Commission, in compliance with nationwide. In this period, citizens were

Section 19 of the Electoral Act 2022, able to check their names and details on the
which made it mandatory to display the register and submit claims and objections
register of voters not later than 90 days to on wrong entries, such as correction of
the General Election for a period of 7 days names, addresses, occupations, gender etc.
and to receive complaints for claims and This is in addition to being able to report
objections for a period of 14 days from the any case of in-eligible voter on the register
date of the display printed and displayed in a situation where such voter is deceased,
the register at the 8809 Registration Areas under aged and a non-Nigerian. Such report
(RAs) nationwide from 19th to 25th of must be backed up with valid evidence. At
November 2022. Furthermore, citizens the end of the exercise, 70,541 claims and
were given the opportunity to make their objections were made comprising of 17,307
claims and objection on the names on the claims for the correction of information
register from the 12th to the Friday 18th of and 53,234 objections to names on the
November 2022 at Registration Area (RA) register that were deemed to be in-eligible
and from the 19th to the 25th of November voters whose names were nullified from the
2022 at Commission’s LGA offices register as shown in Table 8.7 below.

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Table 8.7: Summary of the 2022 Nationwide Claims and Objections Exercise
S/N Issues Total Number
1 Claims (correction on voter information) 17,307
2 Objections
i Deceased 12,937
ii Non-Nigerian 656
iii Underage 20,968
iv Multiple Registration 18,673
Total Objections 53,234
Total Claims and Objection 70,541

Thereafter, the Commission released the consolidated and validated figure of 93,469,008
registered voter for 2023 General Election. The State-by-State analyses of registered voters
is as shown in Table 8.8.

Table 8.8: Comparative Analysis of State by State Consolidated and Validated Registered Voters
for the 2019 and 2023 General Elections
S/N State No of Registered No of Registered Percentage
Voters in 2019 Voters in 2023 Increase
1 Abia 1,932,892 2,120,808 9.72
2 Adamawa 1,973,083 2,196,566 11.33
3 Akwa-Ibom 2,119,727 2,357,418 11.21
4 Anambra 2,447,996 2,656,437 8.51
5 Bauchi 2,462,843 2,749,268 11.63
6 Bayelsa 923,182 1,056,862 14.48
7 Benue 2,480,131 2,777,727 12.00
8 Borno 2,315,956 2,513,281 8.52
9 Cross River 1,527,289 1,766,466 15.66
10 Delta 2,845,274 3,221,697 13.23
11 Ebonyi 1,459,933 1,597,646 9.43
12 Edo 2,210,534 2,501,081 13.14
13 Ekiti 909,967 987,647 8.54
14 Enugu 1,944,016 2,112,793 8.68
15 Gombe 1,394,393 1,575,794 13.01
16 Imo 2,272,293 2,419,922 6.50
17 Jigawa 2,111,106 2,351,298 11.38
18 Kaduna 3,932,492 4,335,208 10.24

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19 Kano 5,457,747 5,921,370 8.49

20 Katsina 3,230,230 3,516,719 8.87
21 Kebbi 1,806,231 2,032,041 12.50
22 Kogi 1,646,350 1,932,654 17.39
23 Kwara 1,406,457 1,695,927 20.58
24 Lagos 6,570,291 7,060,195 7.46
25 Nasarawa 1,617,786 1,899,244 17.40
26 Niger 2,390,035 2,698,344 12.90
27 Ogun 2,375,003 2,688,305 13.19
28 Ondo 1,822,346 1,991,344 9.27
29 Osun 1,680,498 1,954,800 16.32
30 Oyo 2,934,107 3,276,675 11.68
31 Plateau 2,480,455 2,789,528 12.46
32 Rivers 3,215,273 3,537,190 10.01
33 Sokoto 1,903,166 2,172,056 14.13
34 Taraba 1,777,105 2,022,374 13.80
35 Yobe 1,365,913 1,485,146 8.73
36 Zamfara 1,717,128 1,926,870 12.21
37 FCT 1,344,856 1,570,307 16.76
Total 84,004,084 93,469,008 11.27

Figure 8.1: Proportion of Registered Voters to 2022 Population Estimates4 by

States

Nigeria’s 2022 Population estimates by the National Bureau of Statistics

4

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Table 8.9: Distribution of Consolidated and Validated Registered Voters by State and Gender for
the 2023 General Election
S/N State Male Female Total % Male % Female
1 Abia 1,063,424 1,057,384 2,120,808 50.14 49.86
2 Adamawa 1,193,883 1,002,683 2,196,566 54.35 45.65
3 Akwa Ibom 1,223,875 1,133,543 2,357,418 51.92 48.08
4 Anambra 1,311,803 1,344,634 2,656,437 49.38 50.62
5 Bauchi 1,567,508 1,181,760 2,749,268 57.02 42.98
6 Bayelsa 566,095 490,767 1,056,862 53.56 46.44
7 Benue 1,451,626 1,326,101 2,777,727 52.26 47.74
8 Borno 1,442,711 1,070,570 2,513,281 57.40 42.60
9 Cross River 894,623 871,843 1,766,466 50.64 49.36
10 Delta 1,637,122 1,584,575 3,221,697 50.82 49.18
11 Ebonyi 722,805 874,841 1,597,646 45.24 54.76
12 Edo 1,303,228 1,197,853 2,501,081 52.11 47.89
13 Ekiti 485,396 502,251 987,647 49.15 50.85
14 Enugu 973,043 1,139,750 2,112,793 46.05 53.95
15 Gombe 905,986 669,808 1,575,794 57.49 42.51
16 Imo 1,199,263 1,220,659 2,419,922 49.56 50.44
17 Jigawa 1,209,490 1,141,808 2,351,298 51.44 48.56
18 Kaduna 2,334,305 2,000,903 4,335,208 53.85 46.15
19 Kano 3,292,291 2,629,079 5,921,370 55.60 44.40
20 Katsina 1,787,364 1,729,355 3,516,719 50.82 49.18
21 Kebbi 1,096,449 935,592 2,032,041 53.96 46.04
22 Kogi 953,941 978,713 1,932,654 49.36 50.64
23 Kwara 875,755 820,172 1,695,927 51.64 48.36
24 Lagos 3,803,396 3,256,799 7,060,195 53.87 46.13
25 Nasarawa 983,286 915,958 1,899,244 51.77 48.23
26 Niger 1,546,159 1,152,185 2,698,344 57.30 42.70
27 Ogun 1,322,508 1,365,797 2,688,305 49.19 50.81
28 Ondo 1,006,097 985,247 1,991,344 50.52 49.48
29 Osun 923,438 1,031,362 1,954,800 47.24 52.76
30 Oyo 1,619,863 1,656,812 3,276,675 49.44 50.56
31 Plateau 1,403,066 1,386,462 2,789,528 50.30 49.70
32 Rivers 1,885,293 1,651,897 3,537,190 53.30 46.70
33 Sokoto 1,216,817 955,239 2,172,056 56.02 43.98
34 Taraba 1,093,949 928,425 2,022,374 54.09 45.91

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35 Yobe 886,423 598,723 1,485,146 59.69 40.31

36 Zamfara 1,014,919 911,951 1,926,870 52.67 47.33
37 FCT 856,962 713,345 1,570,307 54.57 45.43
Total 49,054,162 44,414,846 93,469,008 52.48 47.52

The disaggregated data of registered voters by occupation, age and disability statuses are as
shown in Tables 8.10, 8.11 and 8.12 below.

Table 8.10: Distribution of Registered Voters by Occupation for the 2023 General
Election
S/N Occupation Registered Voters % Reg Voters
1 Artisan 4,967,464 5.31
2 Business 12,457,997 13.33
3 Civil Servant 5,283,549 5.65
4 Farming/Fishing 14,742,554 15.77
5 Housewife 13,006,939 13.92
6 Public Servant 2,376,223 2.54
7 Student 26,027,481 27.85
8 Trading 7,998,658 8.56
9 Other 6,608,143 7.07
Total 93,469,008 100.00

Table 8.11: Distribution of Registered Voters by Age for the 2023 General Election
S/N Age Group Registered Voters % Reg Voters
1 Youth (18-34) 37,060,399 39.65
2 Middle Aged (35-50) 33,413,591 35.75
3 Elderly (51-69) 17,700,270 18.94
4 Old (70 and above) 5,294,748 5.66
Total 93,469,008 100.00

Table 8.12: Distribution of Registered PwDs Voters by Type of Disability for the 2023
General Election
S/N Disability Type Registered Voters Percentage
1 Albinism 21,150 24.78
2 Autism 3,481 4.08
3 Blindness 8,103 9.49

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4 Cognitive or Learning Disabilities 1,719 2.01

5 Deafness 6,159 7.22
6 Physical Impediment 13,387 15.68
7 Downs Syndrome 660 0.77
8 Little Stature 2,288 2.68
9 Spinal Cord Injury 779 0.91
10 Others 27,636 32.38
Total 85,362 100%

The consolidated and validated National

Register of Voters for the 2023 General
8.4 Production, Delivery
Election was thereafter published and and Collection of
presented to the public on the 11th Permanent Voters' Cards
of January 2023 at the Commission’s
Headquarters in Abuja. A soft copy of the
(PVCs)
register in PDF format was also issued to Section 16(1) of the Electoral Act 2022
each of the 18 registered political parties as empowers the Commission to design, print
required by Section 10(3) of the Electoral Act and control the issuance of Permanent
2022. Thereafter, the three sets of register Voters’ Card (PVC) to eligible voters whose
required for the 2023 General Election in names appear in the register. Section
each state and the FCT, comprising one set 41(1) of the Act requires that to vote, the
in colour and two sets in black and white person intending to vote shall present
were printed, sorted, and packaged in the him/herself with his/her voters’ card to
INEC State and FCT offices and certified a Presiding Officer for the purpose of
for completeness by the Electoral Officers. accreditation at the polling unit where
The colour set is used to check the names his/her name is registered. In essence,
of voters in the election, while a set of the PVC is a prerequisite for voting, and
black and white is displayed at each of the it is issued following a Continuous Voter
176,846 polling units nationwide to enable Registration (CVR) exercise and after a de-
the voters check and confirm names before duplication process through the Automated
approaching the election officer on Election Fingerprints Identification System (ABIS), to
Day, and the other set kept as a backup in establish the validity of the registrant.
case of emergency.
At the conclusion of the CVR exercise in
each quarter, the Commission undertakes
the production of the PVC for each

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registered voter and these PVCs alongside delivery, and collection of PVCs to ensure
the previously uncollected ones before the efficiency, transparency and good record
2019 General Election were made available keeping.
for collection from July 2021 to July 2022.
Prior to this period, the Commission In the run up to the 2023 general election,
undertook a comprehensive audit of all the Commission intensified its efforts to
uncollected PVCs from 2019 to update enable registrants to pick up their PVCs
its record. Furthermore, the Commission by devolving the collection to the RA level
developed a guideline which contained a from 6th January to 5th February 2023. The
harmonized procedure for the production, collection process is illustrated below.

Figure 8.2: Process Flow Diagram for PVC Collection

At the end of the exercise, a cumulative total nationwide. The State-by-State breakdown
of 87, 394,106 out of the 93, 469,008 total of the PVC collection is as shown in Table
registered voters were collected their PVCs 8.13.

Table 8.13: Distribution of PVCs Collected by State for the 2023 General Election
S/N State Registered Voters No. of Collected PVCS Percentage of PVCS
Collected
1 Abia 2,120,808 1,949,197 92%
2 Adamawa 2,196,566 1,970,650 90%
3 Akwa Ibom 2,357,418 2,198,628 93%
4 Anambra 2,656,437 2,624,764 99%
5 Bauchi 2,749,268 2,721,780 99%
6 Bayelsa 1,056,862 1,009,895 96%
7 Benue 2,777,727 2,607,141 94%
8 Borno 2,513,281 2,447,209 97%
9 Cross River 1,766,466 1,672,810 95%

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10 Delta 3,221,697 2,989,514 93%

11 Ebonyi 1,597,646 1,551,795 97%
12 Edo 2,501,081 2,128,288 85%
13 Ekiti 987,647 958,052 97%
14 Enugu 2,112,793 1,995,389 94%
15 Gombe 1,575,794 1,534,954 97%
16 Imo 2,419,922 2,280,339 94%
17 Jigawa 2,351,298 2,298,365 98%
18 Kaduna 4,335,208 4,164,473 96%
19 Kano 5,921,370 5,594,193 94%
20 Katsina 3,516,719 3,459,945 98%
21 Kebbi 2,032,041 1,980,171 97%
22 Kogi 1,932,654 1,813,741 94%
23 Kwara 1,695,927 1,537,275 91%
24 Lagos 7,060,195 6,214,970 88%
25 Nasarawa 1,899,244 1,847,752 97%
26 Niger 2,698,344 2,633,728 98%
27 Ogun 2,688,305 2,278,063 85%
28 Ondo 1,991,344 1,729,641 87%
29 Osun 1,954,800 1,594,066 82%
30 Oyo 3,276,675 2,761,421 84%
31 Plateau 2,789,528 2,687,533 96%
32 Rivers 3,537,190 3,285,785 93%
33 Sokoto 2,172,056 2,097,798 97%
34 Taraba 2,022,374 1,825,325 99%
35 Yobe 1,485,146 1,437,851 97%
36 Zamfara 1,926,870 1,850,055 96%
37 FCT 1,570,307 1,476,451 94%
Total 93,469,008 87,209,007 93%

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8.5. Party Primaries and the 4th of April and the 3rd of June 2022.
However, based on a passionate appeal by
the Submission of the List all the political parties in a meeting with the
of Candidates Commission on the 3rd of June 2022, the
terminal date for the primaries was extended
As stipulated under the provisions of by one week to the 9th of June 2022.
Sections 75 of the Electoral Act 2022, Accordingly, the 18 political parties notified
each of the 18 registered political parties the Commission of the date and venue of
in Nigeria as of 23rd February 2022 fielded their primaries as specified under Section
candidates for the 2023 General Election. 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 that requires
To field candidates for the various elective political parties to give the Commission
positions, the political parties are required a notice of 21 days prior to such activity.
to adhere to the timetable and schedule of Consequently, the Commission observed
activities for the election, which required 2,011 party primaries for the nomination of
political parties to hold their primaries for candidates for the 2023 General Election,
the nomination of candidates between as shown in Table 8.14.

Table 8.14: Distribution of Political Party Primaries Monitored for the Nomination of Candidates
for the 2023 General Election
S/N State Presidential Governorship Senatorial House of State
Reps Assembly
1 Abia 18 17 16 16 17
2 Adamawa 13 09 09 12
3 Akwa-Ibom 17 12 15 17
4 Anambra Off-Cycle 06 08 09
5 Bauchi 10 09 11 11
6 Bayelsa Off-Cycle 14 17 18
7 Benue 17 12 14 15
8 Borno 13 14 14 15
9 Cross River 12 12 10 09
10 Delta 18 12 13 15
11 Ebonyi 15 13 15 16
12 Edo Off-Cycle 14 13 17
13 Ekiti Off-Cycle 09 07 10
14 Enugu 16 11 14 16
15 FCT No Gov. Election 13 15 -
16 Gombe 17 16 17 18
17 Imo Off-Cycle 17 17 17

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18 Jigawa 13 12 13 14
19 Kaduna 17 16 18 17
20 Kano 17 16 17 17
21 Katsina 13 11 12 14
22 Kebbi 10 10 10 12
23 Kogi Off-Cycle 17 18 18
24 Kwara 15 15 15 16
25 Lagos 18 16 16 16 18
26 Nasarawa 17 16 16 17
27 Niger 12 14 14 15
28 Ogun 14 14 15 16
29 Ondo Off-Cycle 10 13 15
30 Osun Off-Cycle 16 17 17
31 Oyo 18 15 17 17
32 Plateau 18 13 14 14
33 Rivers 15 14 13 14
34 Sokoto 18 17 18 18
35 Taraba 18 18 18 18
36 Yobe 07 10 10 13
37 Zamfara 17 17 17 18
Total 421 496 526 550

At the end of the primaries, the 18 political 8.15 below as well as for the Governorship,
parties nominated candidates for the National and State Assembly elections.
presidential election as indicated in Table

Table 8.15: Nominees of Political Parties from the Primaries for the 2023 Presidential Election
S/N Name Acronym Mode of Primary Nominated Candidate Gender
1 Accord A Direct Imumolen Irene M
Christopher
2 Action Alliance AA Indirect Almustapha Hamza M
3 African Action AAC Direct Sowore Omoyele M
Congress Stephen
4 African Democratic ADC Indirect Kachikwu Dumebi M
Congress
5 Action Democratic ADP Direct Sani Yabagi Yusuf M
Party

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6 All Progressives APC Indirect Tinubu Bola Ahmed M

Congress
7 All Progressives Grand APGA Direct Umeadi Peter Nnanna M
Alliance Chukwudi
8 Allied Peoples' APM Direct Ojei Princess Chichi M
Movement
9 Action Peoples Party APP Direct Nnadi Charles Osita M
10 Boot Party BP Direct Adenuga Sunday M
Oluwafemi
11 Labour Party LP Direct Obi Peter Gregory M
12 New Nigeria Peoples NNPP Direct Musa Mohammed M
Party Rabiu Kwankwaso
13 National Rescue NRM Indirect Osakwe Felix Johnson M
Movement
14 Peoples Democratic PDP Indirect Abubakar Atiku M
Party
16 Peoples Redemption PRP Indirect Abiola Latifu Kolawole M
Party
16 Social Democratic SDP Indirect Adebayo Adewole M
Party Ebenezer
17 Young Progressive YPP Indirect Ado-Ibrahim M
Party Abdulmalik
18 Zenith Labour Party ZLP Direct Nwanyanwu Daniel M
Daberechukwu

8.6. Party Campaigns on the 23rd of February 2023, while that of

Governorship and State Houses of Assembly
Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 commenced on the 12th of October 2022
provided for the commencement of but was extended beyond the 11th of
campaign in public by political parties and March to the 23rd of March 2023 due to
candidates to commence 150 days before the postponement of the elections by two
polling day and end 24 hours to Election Day. weeks.
Based on this provision and as stipulated by
the timetable and schedule of activities for As required by law, the Commission deployed
the 2023 General Election, public campaign observers to monitor the campaigns
by political parties for presidential and with specific reference to compliance to
National Assembly elections commenced Section 226 of the 1999 Constitution (as
on the 28th of September 2022 and ended amended), Section 88 of the Electoral Act

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2022 and the Commission’s regulations admonish political parties and candidates
and guidelines for Political Parties, 2022. to focus their campaign on party manifestos
These provisions empower the Commission rather than on candidate personalities and
to audit the accounts of political parties, called the attention of stakeholders to
monitor campaign financing and reporting the unwholesome actions of some state
compliance or otherwise by political parties governments against opposition political
and candidates and ensure that campaigns parties by restricting their access to public
complied with all laws, regulations and spaces and venues.
codes governing the conduct of campaigns
and campaign expenditure. It is for this By and large, the campaign environment
purpose that the Commission requires the was highly competitive with each of
political parties to notify it of the schedules the leading candidates for the various
of their campaigns, stating the time, elective positions traversing their electoral
venue, date, agenda, and members of the constituencies at national, state and LGA
Organising Committee not later than seven levels. Although the scope and reach of the
days to such activity. candidates were impacted by the prevailing
security challenges and fuel scarcity in some
The campaigns for the 2023 General areas of the country, as well as the cash
Election were dominated at the national crunch occasioned by the currency swap,
level by three political parties, the All they were able to carry out their campaigns
Progressive Congress (APC), the People’s with relative freedom of movement and
Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour expression. While there were reported cases
Party, while the campaign of the New Nigeria of intimidation, violent clashes, disruptions,
Peoples Party was mostly visible in Kano obstructions, and targeted attacks between
State. The campaigns were characterized the supporters of contending political
by nationwide public rallies, widespread parties, no major breach of the peace or
media advertising, mounting of billboards breakdown of public order was reported
and posters in strategic locations and the throughout the campaign period.
unprecedented use of social media platforms
by supporters of contending political
parties and candidates to propagate fake 8.7.Recruitment and
news and hate speech. A new noticeable Training of Ad-Hoc
feature in the campaign for the election
was the up-tick in the use of religion and
Electoral Staff
ethnicity as well as the pervasive use of the The Commission deployed the INEC
social media platforms to promote calumny Portal for Recruitment of Election Staff
and character assassination against the (INECPRES) for receiving, identifying and
leading candidates. At a point during the recruitment of applicants for the various
campaign the INEC Chairman also had to

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ad-hoc staff positions required for the the 2023 General Election, the portal was
2023 General Election based on approved operational from the 14th of September
eligibility criteria as shown in Table 8.16 to the 14th of December 2022 to recruit
below The exercise is with exception to the Supervisory Presiding Officers, Presiding
recruitment and deployment of all collation Officers, Assistant Presiding Officers, RAC
officers which is strictly and exclusively Managers and RATECHs for the election.
handled by the Office of the INEC Chairman. Before the end of the application time
The INECPRES which serves as a data bank frame and at periodic intervals, the data
of experienced ad-hoc staff portal is also set of applicants indicating the applicant’s
designed to capture the biodata, workplace, institution and grouped by LGA and State
educational qualifications, and other are categorized according to specific ad-
relevant information of new applicants. For hoc position.

Table 8.16: Eligibility Criteria for the Recruitment of Ad-Hoc Staff for the 2023 General Election
S/N Category Source Qualification
1 SPOs Employees from Federal Public/Civil Staff on GL 10 - 14
Service
2 SPOs INEC Staff not Engaged in Specific RAOs & Other Staff not
Election Duties. Engaged in any Other
Duties.
3 POs, APOs Serving NYSC Members Serving NYSC Members
4 POs, APOs Students of Federal Tertiary Institutions Students in their
Penultimate Year
5 POs, APOs Employees from Federal Public/Civil Staff with Minimum of
Service OND on GL 07 – 10
6 POs, APOs Former NYSC Members from 2017 Discharged not Later than
2017
7 RAC Managers The School/Institution Hosting the RAC Staff on GL 07 and Above
8 RATECHs INEC Staff not Engaged in Specific Suitable Staff Not
Election Duties/Serving and Former NYSC Engaged in any Other
Members/ Students of Federal Tertiary Duties
Institutions with IT Knowledge
9 Collation and Federal Tertiary Institutions Academic Staff
Returning Officers

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At the end of the application time frame, This involves scanning of the applicant’s
based on the ad-hoc requirements for acknowledgement slip using QR Bar-code
the election as shown in Table 8.17 the Scanner to ensure his/her eligibility and
comprehensive data of applicants for the credibility. Thereafter, successfully verified
post of SPOs, POs, APOs and RAC Manager applicants were invited to attend required
was compiled, screened, and verified training sessions and deployed to area of
at the various State and FCT Offices. duty on Election Day.

Table 8.17: Ad-Hoc Staff Requirements for the 2023 General Election
S/N State Delimitation Details Personnel Total PU
Requirement Officials
Required
LGA RA RA with PU Total PUs APOs 5% Markup Total APOs SPO
> 25 (I,II,III)
1 Abia 17 184 51 4,062 12,186 609 12,795 406 25,997
2 Adamawa 21 226 40 4,104 12,312 616 12,928 410 26,266
3 Akwa 31 329 21 4,353 13,059 653 13,712 435 27,859
Ibom
4 Anambra 21 326 47 5,720 17,160 858 18,018 572 36,608
5 Bauchi 20 212 71 5,423 16,269 813 17,082 542 34,707
6 Bayelsa 8 105 24 2,244 6,732 337 7,069 224 14,362
7 Benue 23 276 47 5,102 15,306 765 16,071 510 32,653
8 Borno 27 312 42 5,071 15,213 761 15,974 507 32,454
9 C/River 18 193 26 3,281 9,843 492 10,335 328 20,998
10 Delta 25 270 74 5,863 17,589 879 18,468 586 37,523
11 Ebonyi 13 171 19 2,946 8,838 442 9,280 295 18,854
12 Edo 18 192 54 4,519 13,557 678 14,235 452 28,922
13 Ekiti 16 177 9 2,445 7,335 367 7,702 245 15,648
14 Enugu 17 260 36 4,145 12,435 622 13,057 415 26,528
15 Gombe 11 114 47 2,988 8,964 448 9,412 299 19,123
16 Imo 27 305 24 4,758 14,274 714 14,988 476 30,451
17 Jigawa 27 287 29 4,522 13,566 678 14,244 452 28,941
18 Kaduna 23 255 131 8,012 24,036 1,202 25,238 801 51,277
19 Kano 44 484 123 11,222 33,666 1,683 35,349 1,122 71,821
20 Katsina 34 361 62 6,652 19,956 998 20,954 665 42,573
21 Kebbi 21 225 28 3,743 11,229 561 11,790 374 23,955
22 Kogi 21 239 23 3,508 10,524 526 11,050 351 22,451
23 Kwara 16 193 21 2,887 8,661 433 9,094 289 18,477
24 Lagos 20 245 182 13,325 39,975 1,999 41,974 1,333 85,280
25 Nasarawa 13 147 36 3,256 9,768 488 10,256 326 20,838
26 Niger 25 274 50 4,950 14,850 743 15,593 495 31,680
27 Ogun 20 236 65 5,042 15,126 756 15,882 504 32,269
28 Ondo 18 203 34 3,933 11,799 590 12,389 393 25,171
29 Osun 30 332 9 3,763 11,289 564 11,853 376 24,083
30 Oyo 33 351 59 6,390 19,170 959 20,129 639 40,896
31 Plateau 17 207 63 4,989 14,967 748 15,715 499 31,930
32 Rivers 23 319 68 6,866 20,598 1,030 21,628 687 43,942
33 Sokoto 23 244 28 3,991 11,973 599 12,572 399 25,542
34 Taraba 16 168 52 3,597 10,791 540 11,331 360 23,021
35 Yobe 17 178 22 2,823 8,469 423 8,892 282 18,067
36 Zamfara 14 147 43 3,529 10,587 529 11,116 353 22,586
37 FCT 6 62 33 2,822 8,466 423 8,889 282 18,061
Total 774 8809 1793 176,846 530,538 26,527 557,065 17,685 1,131,814

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8.8. Procurement Process COVID-19 pandemic.

The procurement processes for the 2023 Based on these considerations, the
General Election commenced early with the Commission approved the procurement
submission of requirements for the election plan with the following key action points:
by various departments and directorates of
a. The procurement of all materials for the
the Commission based on the provisions
2023 General Election in phases.
in the 2023 General Election Project Plan
(EPP). These submissions were processed
b. Stipulation of concrete and realistic
and consolidated by the Procurement
time-lines for the delivery of priority
Department for the consideration and
projects.
approval of the Commission in accordance
with the Public Procurement Act (PPA) 2007 c. Stipulation of concrete and realistic
and other relevant regulations governing timelines for production and delivery of
public procurement. all sensitive election materials.
Following the Commission’s approval, d. Verification and engagement of local
the Procurement Department developed printing companies certified by the
a comprehensive procurement plan Central Bank of Nigeria for the printing of
and time-line to guide the timely and security documents and for the printing
coordinated procurement of goods, works of all sensitive election materials.
and services required for the successful
conduct of the election. In developing the As prescribed in in the Public Procurement
plan, cognisance was given to the negative Act (PPA) 2007 and other relevant
impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on the global regulations governing public procurement,
supply chain and other logistical challenges the Commission designated certain election
associated with procuring certain materials materials as sensitive based on nature of
within the required time frame. This was the material and the security requirements
particularly the case with the procurement for their production, transportation, and
of critical materials such as the Bimodal usage. Such designated materials and
Voter Accreditation Systems (BVAS) which services such as the BVAS and printing
is not an off-the-shelf item, but specifically of ballot papers and result sheets were
produced for the Commission in China procured through direct and restricted
where most companies were operating at methods in line with Sections 40 and 42 of
around 45% of their production capacity the Public Procurement Act 2007 based on
and resulting in extended delivery time the approved plan and time-line as shown
due to the country’s enforcement of a in Table 8.18 and 8.19.
zero-tolerance protocol to mitigate the

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Table 8.18: Plan and Time-lines for the Procurement of BVAS

S/N Task Start Date Due Date Duration
A Pre-Award Stage 31-Jan 27-Feb 32 Days
A1 Approval to Commence Due Process 31-Jan 04-Feb 5 Days
A2 Invitation to submit Technical & 05-Feb 11-Feb 7 Days
Financial Bids
A3 Evaluation of Bids 12-Feb 13-Feb 2 Days
A4 Production of Evaluation Report 14-Feb 15-Feb 2 Days
A5 Presentation of Evaluation Report by 17-Feb 17-Feb 1 Day
Tenders Board to the Commission for
Approval
A6 Request to Mr President for Approval to 18-Feb 22-Feb 5 Days
Procure
A7 Production/Release of Letters of Award 23-Feb 27-Feb 5 Days
and Preliminary Designs to Contractors
B Post-Award Phase 29-Jan 31-Oct 245 Days
B1 Production and Delivery of Accreditation 28-Feb 31-Oct 245 Days
Devices
B2 Contract Administration/ Performance 28-Feb 31-Oct 245 Days
Monitoring (Clause 87.1, Procurement
Procedure Manual)

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Table 8.19: Procurement Plan and Time-lines for the Procurement of Sensitive Materials
for the 2023 General Election
S/N Task Start Date End Date Duration
A Pre-Award Stage 24-Jan-22 01-May-22 95 days
A1 Request for Submission of Applications for 24-Jan-22 13-Feb-22 21 days
Printing of Sensitive Materials
A2 Assessment and short-listing of Printing 14-Feb-22 20-Feb-22 7 days
Companies through Selective Tendering
Method
A3 Inspection of the Facilities of Short-listed 21-Feb-22 06-Mar-22 14 days
Locally Based Printers
A4 Inspection of the Facilities of Foreign Based 07-Mar-22 27-Mar-22 21 days
Technical Partners of Nigeria Companies
A5 Development and Analysis of the 28-Mar-22 01-Apr-22 5 days
Assessment Reports on the Companies
A6 Request for Quotation (RFQ) from Qualified 02-Apr-22 08-Apr-22 7 days
Companies
A7 Evaluation of Financial Bids 09-Apr-22 13-Apr-22 5 days
A8 Production of Evaluation Report 14-Apr-22 15-Apr-22 2 days
A9 Presentation of Evaluation Report by 19-Apr-22 19-Apr-22 1 day
Tenders Board to the Commission for
Approval
A10 Request to Mr President for Approval to 20-Apr-22 26-Apr-22 7 days
Procure Sensitive Materials
A11 Production/Release of Letters of Award and 27-Apr-22 01-May-22 5 days
Preliminary Designs to Contractors
B Post- Award Stage (Contract Administration/ 19-May-22 23-Aug-22 95 days
Management)
B1 Pre-Press Preparation and Submission by 19-May-22 23-May-22 5 days
Contractors/ Approval of Proofs by the
Commission
B2 Printing and Delivery of Sensitive Materials 26-May-22 23-Aug-22 90 days
to State Branches of CBN
B3 Contract Administration/ Performance 26-May-22 23-Aug-22 90 days
Monitoring (Clause 87.1, Procurement
Procedure Manual)
C Delivery of Materials to LGAs 16-Feb-23 03-Mar-23 16 days
C1 Delivery of Materials for Presidential and 16-Feb-23 17-Feb-23 2 days
National Assembly Elections
C2 Delivery of Materials for Governorship and 02-Mar-23 03-Mar-23 2 days
State Assembly Elections 127
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

For the procurement of non-sensitive systems, stationeries, flyers, jackets,

election materials, and other services and computers, rechargeable lamps, medical
works, the Commission adopted an open equipment, Drugs, etc. that are required for
competitive bidding (OCB) in compliance the election. The materials were procured
with Sections 24–38 of PPA 2007. These based on the approved plan and time-line
included the acquisition of computer as shown in Table 8.20 below.

Table 8.20: Procurement Time-lines for Priority Projects with October (2022) Delivery Date for
the 2023 General Election
S/N Task Name Start Date End Date Duration
A Pre-Award Stage 24-Jan 25-Mar 64 days
A1 Advertisement for Pre- 24-Jan 22-Feb 30 days
Qualification and Expression
of Interest
A2 Approval to Commence Due 31-Jan 04-Feb 5 days
Process
A3 Assessment and short- 23-Feb 27-Feb 5 days
listing of Companies through
Selective Tendering Method
A4 Invitation to Submit Financial 28-Feb 04-Mar 5 days
Bid
A5 Evaluation of Financial Bids 05-Mar 09-Mar 5 days
A6 Production of Evaluation 10-Mar 11-Mar 2 days
Report
A7 Presentation of Evaluation 15-Mar 15-Mar 1 day
Report by Tenders Board to
the Commission for Approval
A8 Request to Mr President for 16-Mar 20-Mar 5 days
Approval to Procure
A9 Production/Release of Letters 21-Mar 25-Mar 5 days
of Award to Contractors
B Post- Award Stage 25-Mar 21-Oct 210 days
B1 Contract Execution 25-Mar 21-Oct 210 days
B2 Contract Administration/ 25-Mar 21-Oct 210 days
Performance Monitoring

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The Commission’s ability to award contracts elections. The challenge is mostly

for the execution of works and services attributable to the number of personnel
and to procure, take delivery and distribute and volume of materials, as well as the
sensitive and non-sensitive election delays and variations in the delivery dates
materials in an orderly and timely manner for from suppliers and the available means of
the 2023 General Election can be attributed transportation. The process is also impacted
to three major factors. First is the timely by various factors including access to difficult
consideration and approval of the EPP terrain, weather condition, the time, and
Budget by the Commission. Second is the distances over which these personnel and
commencement of early release of funds on materials must be transported within the
monthly basis to the Commission one year context of available infrastructural facilities.
ahead of the election from February 2022. In any attempt at resolving the challenge,
Although the release of funds was not as the Commission had to ensure public trust
envisaged in Article 3(2) Electoral Act 2022, and confidence in the safety and security
it was an improvement on what happened of these personnel and materials along the
in 2019 General Election when funds entire deployment chain to preclude any
were released late. Lastly, the application suspicion about the conduct, integrity, and
of Article 29(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 credibility of the election.
mandating political parties to submit their
list of candidates to the Commission 180 In the run up to the 2023 general election,
days to Election Day facilitated the early the Commission with the support of
production and distribution of sensitive ACTIONAID Nigeria organised an expert
election materials. meeting on election logistics in Lagos from
4th to 5th October 2022. The meeting,
attended by experts and stakeholders in
8.9. Logistics and logistics planning and delivery sector was
Delivery of Election designed to develop an organisational
roadmap for an efficient transportation and
Materials delivery system of personnel and materials
for the 2023 General Election. It reviewed
The logistics of deploying and retrieving
the common issues and challenges in
election personnel and materials is central
election logistics delivery system and
to the conduct of any election. The
assessed the efficiency and effectiveness
management of the resources and facilities
of the system by examining the operating
for election logistics is a highly complex
transportation template and matrix. Arising
operation which poses a challenge to the
from the meeting were innovative ideas
Commission in every General Election. For
and concrete recommendations towards
example, it resulted in the rescheduling
enhancing the election logistics framework
of the 2011 General Election midway
through the development of time-bound
on Election Day and the rescheduling of
practical solutions to guide the election’s
the 2019 General Election on the eve of
logistics planning activities based on a
the Presidential and National Assembly
comprehensive roadmap to facilitate the

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mobilisation of resources and equipment to South), Minna (North Central), Gombe

support the efficient and seamless delivery (North East) and Sokoto (North West) and
and retrieval of personnel and materials on two newly created sub-zonal in Lagos and
schedule for the 2023 General Election. Kano, from where they were distributed
to the State and LGA offices and then to
Based on this plan, the Commission the Registration Areas and polling units for
commenced the delivery of non-sensitive use on Election Day. Regarding sensitive
materials to State offices two months materials, the Commission adopted a two
before the election using the approved staged approach by delivering the materials
check-list which classified the materials in either to the custody of the Central Bank
three categories namely, i) stationeries; ii) of Nigeria or its own secure facilities in the
election equipment; and iii) printed forms, State and FCT offices for safekeeping until
posters, and envelopes. While most of a few days to Election Day from where they
these materials were sourced locally based are moved to the LGA Offices, Registration
on approved samples, some were imported Area Camps on the eve of election and
and received at designated international ultimately to the Polling Units on Election
airports in the country in compliance Day. In doing this, the Commission enforces
established standards. Accordingly, all non- a rigorously system of safekeeping and
sensitive election materials were distributed accountability and maintain strict controls
from the Central Store in Abuja to the through an audit trail and documentation
six zonal stores in Osogbo (South West), of delivery records.
Owerri (South East), Port Harcourt South

INEC Chairman with National Commissioners, Mr. Kenneth Ukeagu (right) and Barrister Festus Okoye (left) inspecting Sensitive Election Mate-
rials as they arrived at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos on 30th November 2022.

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Table 8.21: Transportation Matrix for Election Officials for the 2023 General Election
S/N States LGA No. of No. of Provision. Provision. Hiring of Hiring of Provision of Hiring of Hiring of Total
RA's Pus of of Vehicles for RA Vehicles Vehicles for Vehicles for Vehicles Vehicles
Vehicles Vehicles Supervisors for RA Movement LGA Supervisor for LGA
for Poll for Collation from State HQ Collation
Officials Reverse Officers to LGA Officer
Logistics
1 Abia 17 184 4,062 1,439 184 184 184 17 17 17 2,042
2 Adamawa 21 226 4,104 1,454 226 226 226 21 21 21 2,195
3 Akwa Ibom 31 329 4,353 1,542 329 329 329 31 31 31 2,622
4 Anambra 21 326 5,720 2,026 326 326 326 21 21 21 3,067
5 Bauchi 20 212 5,423 1,921 212 212 212 20 20 20 2,617
6 Bayelsa 8 105 2,244 795 105 105 105 8 8 8 1,134
7 Benue 23 276 5,102 1,807 276 276 276 23 23 23 2,704
8 Borno 27 312 5,071 1,796 312 312 312 27 27 27 2,813
9 C/River 18 193 3,281 1,162 193 193 193 18 18 18 1,795
10 Delta 25 270 5,863 2,076 270 270 270 25 25 25 2,961
11 Ebonyi 13 171 2,946 1,043 171 171 171 13 13 13 1,595
12 Edo 18 192 4,519 1,600 192 192 192 18 18 18 2,230
13 Ekiti 16 177 2,445 866 177 177 177 16 16 16 1,445
14 Enugu 17 260 4,145 1,468 260 260 260 17 17 17 2,299
15 Gombe 11 114 2,988 1,058 114 114 114 11 11 11 1,433
16 Imo 27 305 4,758 1,685 305 305 305 27 27 27 2,681

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17 Jigawa 27 287 4,522 1,602 287 287 287 27 27 27 2,544

18 Kaduna 23 255 8,012 2,838 255 255 255 23 23 23 3,672
19 Kano 44 484 11,222 3,974 484 484 484 44 44 44 5,558
20 Katsina 34 361 6,652 2,356 361 361 361 34 34 34 3,541
21 Kebbi 21 225 3,743 1,326 225 225 225 21 21 21 2,064
22 Kogi 21 239 3,508 1,242 239 239 239 21 21 21 2,022
23 Kwara 16 193 2,887 1,022 193 193 193 16 16 16 1,649
24 Lagos 20 245 13,325 4,719 245 245 245 20 20 20 5,514
25 Nasarawa 13 147 3,256 1,153 147 147 147 13 13 13 1,633
26 Niger 25 274 4,950 1,753 274 274 274 25 25 25 2,650
27 Ogun 20 236 5,042 1,786 236 236 236 20 20 20 2,554
28 Ondo 18 203 3,933 1,393 203 203 203 18 18 18 2,056
29 Osun 30 332 3,763 1,333 332 332 332 30 30 30 2,419
30 Oyo 33 351 6,390 2,263 351 351 351 33 33 33 3,415
31 Plateau 17 207 4,989 1,767 207 207 207 17 17 17 2,439
32 Rivers 23 319 6,866 2,432 319 319 319 23 23 23 3,458
33 Sokoto 23 244 3,991 1,413 244 244 244 23 23 23 2,214
34 Taraba 16 168 3,597 1,274 168 168 168 16 16 16 1,826
35 Yobe 17 178 2,823 1,000 178 178 178 17 17 17 1,585
36 Zamfara 14 147 3,529 1,250 147 147 147 14 14 14 1,733
37 FCT-Abuja 6 62 2,822 999 62 62 62 6 6 6 1,203
Total 774 8,809 176,846 62,633 8,809 8,809 8,809 774 774 774 91,382

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8.10 Accreditation of Commission’s 36 State Offices and the FCT.

Election Observers, Media, For media accreditation, at the close of the

and Polling Agents registration Portal on the 6th of February
2023, a total of 947 applications were
The Commission undertook the received out of which 716 were approved.
accreditation of observers, media, and However, only 471 media organisations were
polling agents through the use of on- able to conclude the accreditation process
line registration portals. These are for online for 8,521 personnel. For those that
media accreditation5 election observation were unable to complete the on-line process
management6 and Political Party agent of accreditation, a total of 2,950 personnel
management.7 Prior to the opening of were accredited manually and issued with
these accreditation portals, advertisement necessary accreditation tags. In total,
were placed in national dailies and on the 11,471 local and foreign journalists were
INEC website inviting domestic and foreign accredited for the 2023 General Election.
election observer groups, the media and Apart from the general accreditation for
political parties to apply to observe the the coverage of the elections nationwide,
2023 General Election. 445 journalists comprising of 415 local and
30 foreign journalists were granted special
Thereafter, the Commission’s Department access to the National Collation Centre
of Election and Party Monitoring (EPM) for Presidential and National Assembly
screened about 90,000 applications election.
submitted by various organizations and
accredited 130 domestic and 39 foreign In compliance with Article 43(1) of the
observer teams that deployed a total of Electoral Act 2022, the Commission created
73,562 observers for the elections. This was the Political Party agent management portal
composed of 2,306 and 71,256 foreign and to receive application from political parties
domestic observers with the Pan African for the appointment of polling agent for each
Women Project having the highest number polling unit and collation centres for which
of observers with 346 persons, followed it has a candidate in the election. To sanitise
by United States Embassy with 228 and the process and make it more transparent,
the ECOWAS Commission with 205. These it was required that such application must
observers were provided with observer include the name, address, contact details,
kits containing identity cards, electoral two passport photographs and sample
information pack (soft copy), jotters, pens, signature of the proposed polling agent and
and election duty stickers for vehicles. should be submitted to the Commission
These kits were distributed to the foreign at least 14 days before the Election Day.
observers composed of 1,711 male and 595 The portal was operational from the 21st
female at the Commission’s headquarters in of September to the 25th of November
Abuja and to domestic observers composed 2022 after which the applications were
of 51,320 male and 19,936 female at the verified and processed. At the end of the
5
https://imap.inecnigeria.org
6
https://observergroups.inecnigeria.org
https://pollingagents.inecnigeria.org>
7
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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

exercise, the Commission accredited a total Abuja. The details of the accredited agents
of 1,574,301 as polling unit agents, 68,057 for each of the 18 political parties is as
as Registration Area, Local Government and shown in Tables 8.22 below.
State collation agents and 27 as collation
agents at the National Collation Centre in

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Table 8.22: Number of Accredited Polling Unit Agents for the 18 Political Parties by State by Party for the 2023 General Election
State A AA AAC ADC ADP APC APGA APM APP BP LP NNPP NRM PDP PRP SDP YPP ZLP Total
Abia 3,389 1,909 150 2,487 1,468 3,929 3,548 1,164 2,976 131 4,004 4,043 11 4,015 329 788 4,063 684 39,088
Adamawa 0 868 3,850 2,538 82 4,029 724 2,789 1,464 0 4,111 4,071 3,934 4,110 4,019 4,046 998 2,700 44,333
Akwa Ibom 3,238 3,054 3,250 2,354 2,317 4,344 265 3,667 2,200 53 3,765 4,352 3,734 4,357 2,245 209 4,249 3,333 50,986
Anambra 1,911 3,278 0 3,114 730 5,710 5,461 2,808 985 0 5,720 5,637 3,945 5,752 1,666 0 4,522 3,586 54,825
Bauchi 814 913 2,863 4,446 32 5,404 0 1,246 1,355 0 3,133 5,423 4,836 5,429 3,159 4,592 597 2,393 46,635
Bayelsa 2,022 593 213 705 347 2,221 254 1,860 947 121 1,780 2,242 1,140 2,244 686 1,617 448 486 19,926
Benue 2,233 1,057 0 2,985 148 5,094 1,650 89 0 0 3,577 5,072 1,659 5,108 3,488 434 859 963 34,416
Borno 3,286 227 12 4,885 0 5,057 368 4,001 4,057 61 5,077 5,060 2,702 5,061 4,040 3,083 446 0 47,423
Cross River 102 1,752 0 1,518 403 3,278 179 854 1,576 0 3,254 3,277 1,448 3,288 2,504 2,438 776 0 26,647
Delta 4,136 1,426 79 665 808 5,860 3,447 4,021 765 55 4,888 5,850 3,117 5,864 2,759 1,943 3,509 4,404 53,596
Ebonyi 1,063 585 0 2,944 724 2,940 1,053 2,936 2,944 0 2,614 2,939 1,159 2,945 1,040 116 917 993 27,912
Edo 1,001 1,730 103 536 1,477 4,519 0 1,150 22 0 4,520 4,518 0 4,516 455 20 250 34 24,851
Ekiti 1,524 229 32 1,638 535 2,441 44 0 0 0 851 2,444 1,165 2,448 940 2,338 2,326 101 19,056
Enugu 359 0 0 4,015 689 4,132 2,267 260 2,258 411 3,921 4,145 1,422 4,151 282 1,010 350 248 29,920
Gombe 1,134 2,835 953 2,282 575 2,980 9 2,615 1,908 1,049 2,047 2,987 2,900 2,989 2,541 1,268 679 2,699 34,450
Imo 2,391 740 0 2,225 2,100 4,725 2,786 4,076 738 3,012 4,181 4,750 3,707 4,760 3,157 2,137 1,060 3,133 49,678
Jigawa 4,523 344 1,475 1,308 2,789 4,503 68 3,079 0 0 1,256 4,522 3,170 4,480 2,108 3,350 4,522 303 41,800
Kaduna 1,919 575 176 8,010 5,280 8,010 159 3,043 1,668 0 6,228 7,937 4,082 8,010 5,746 6,317 7,781 55 74,996
Kano 1,949 10,490 8,225 4,861 3,769 11,177 0 11,138 11,187 105 7,318 11,213 10,896 11,225 8,727 10,787 11,164 11,162 145,393
Katsina 3,355 1,162 2,103 2,416 1,493 6,640 0 1,585 2,260 3,506 2,989 6,627 11 6,636 4,726 2,876 1,755 4,735 54,875
Kebbi 2,000 1,349 2,439 2,005 1,716 3,736 479 2,533 2,547 1,264 2,984 3,737 3,300 3,744 3,258 2,155 2,390 2,000 43,636
Kogi 3,102 461 180 2,152 906 3,507 113 2,258 13 0 2,805 3,505 2,229 3,497 1,164 2,326 280 0 28,498
Kwara 997 2,253 5 801 2,200 2,887 619 2,686 2,709 0 2,887 2,880 2,033 2,888 531 2,656 2,880 2,759 34,671
Lagos 5,930 0 229 2,401 861 13,306 0 1 1,445 56 12,361 13,273 6,638 13,132 11,737 8,892 6,844 1,540 98,646
Nasarawa 2,126 918 0 1,633 0 3,248 161 2,006 0 0 2,335 3,254 2,666 3,254 484 2,961 323 378 25,747
Niger 1,783 927 3 8 549 4,877 74 0 0 0 1,191 4,948 0 4,951 2,661 709 0 50 22,731
Ogun 1,444 4,531 936 5,042 1,801 5,040 0 1,037 492 0 3,173 4,955 180 5,045 2,215 1,826 0 445 38,162
Ondo 0 1,150 21 943 60 3,931 0 2,268 2,071 0 1,576 3,928 2,152 3,934 700 3,078 0 2,137 27,949

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Osun 1,926 702 1,590 3,763 627 3,757 94 2,182 3,265 1,445 1,637 3,761 138 3,765 1,682 2,640 998 236 34,208
Oyo 6,320 1,277 706 3,931 738 6,378 120 1,158 950 60 3,564 6,358 1,467 6,393 276 4,886 0 128 44,710
Plateau 946 603 90 1,131 45 4,957 154 197 3,328 508 4,990 4,908 1,552 4,989 2,611 4,327 490 21 35,847
Rivers 6,869 3,821 5,211 5,114 3,875 6,862 1,113 5,629 5,419 596 5,537 6,834 2,801 6,866 411 4,865 6,016 1,956 79,795
Sokoto 2,274 1,275 349 1,890 1,037 3,988 192 2,657 20 278 3,279 3,982 1,587 3,993 462 2,610 1,470 327 31,670
Taraba 1,034 535 137 3,073 625 3,596 81 471 375 559 3,512 3,592 2,259 3,574 1,891 3,318 1,189 1,086 30,907
Yobe 909 760 1,708 2,801 1,682 2,811 175 2,000 0 0 2,823 2,823 76 2,823 2,190 772 835 0 25,188
Zamfara 3,076 1,958 1,583 2,000 1,900 3,528 0 1,423 2,854 174 2,192 3,529 2,300 3,526 571 386 548 2,439 33,987
FCT 1,992 172 108 1,423 128 2,821 0 5 0 100 2,794 2,824 598 2,826 101 537 665 49 17,143
Total 83,077 56,459 38,779 96,043 44,516 176,223 25,657 80,892 64,798 13,544 134,874 176,200 87,014 176,588 87,562 98,313 76,199 57,563 1,574,301

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Table 8.23 Number of Accredited Collation Agents for the 18 Political Parties at RA, LGA and State Collation Centres
State A AA AAC ADC ADP APC APGA APM APP BP LP NNPP NRM PDP PRP SDP YPP ZLP Total
Abia 199 198 0 169 18 190 146 2 98 32 201 201 12 202 33 48 202 1 1,952
Adamawa 0 12 187 148 0 249 0 155 123 0 248 248 247 249 224 246 53 0 2,389
Akwa/ 195 73 27 61 3 361 0 2 1 0 262 362 159 365 17 0 353 1 2,242
Ibom
Anambra 29 37 0 0 27 347 322 0 0 0 350 350 30 348 11 0 245 56 2,152
Bauchi 11 61 50 232 6 233 0 69 121 0 2 233 231 233 26 148 12 37 1,705
Bayelsa 106 41 32 38 0 100 7 113 8 7 13 113 86 114 24 0 2 107 911
Benue 31 1 0 91 1 304 40 0 0 0 262 289 120 298 213 26 20 15 1,711
Borno 0 1 0 338 0 340 0 332 102 3 341 340 30 323 224 0 0 0 2,374
Cross River 8 24 0 12 10 214 3 17 14 0 212 212 0 208 109 107 0 0 1,150
Delta 198 3 19 27 1 296 85 155 222 1 267 294 27 296 218 44 116 231 2,500
Ebonyi 29 1 0 176 41 185 19 173 166 0 1 185 26 125 23 3 8 28 1,189
Edo 62 6 7 0 41 211 0 123 9 6 210 213 0 211 22 0 0 1 1,122
Ekiti 18 35 17 23 0 194 0 0 0 0 120 194 128 187 159 176 138 1 1,390
Enugu 0 0 0 111 18 278 22 2 179 84 146 278 114 276 18 40 22 0 1,588
Gombe 0 72 33 126 13 126 0 0 0 4 9 126 125 126 98 24 8 6 896
Imo 111 94 0 27 36 333 145 298 72 283 325 327 211 332 202 0 16 212 3,024
Jigawa 315 1 27 73 27 315 0 281 0 0 0 315 36 316 62 223 315 0 2,306
Kaduna 0 1 0 281 75 279 0 147 0 0 261 279 23 280 99 13 268 0 2,006
Kano 167 85 513 154 45 528 0 475 476 1 29 532 515 529 347 499 521 357 5,773
Katsina 279 1 36 3 0 396 0 70 0 0 1 381 1 399 246 80 1 392 2,286
Kebbi 22 22 21 21 22 247 0 20 22 22 132 248 239 246 239 21 22 22 1,588
Kogi 259 2 1 165 0 262 0 261 0 0 250 262 167 260 39 12 4 0 1,944

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Kwara 101 103 0 49 46 210 23 209 174 0 146 211 92 211 0 198 211 207 2,191
Lagos 51 1 60 18 0 268 0 0 20 0 199 265 124 271 138 31 0 21 1,467
Nasarawa 160 36 0 35 0 162 0 0 0 0 14 162 162 161 10 90 0 17 1,009
Niger 4 1 0 1 5 271 0 0 0 0 0 300 0 300 145 0 0 2 1,029
Ogun 7 257 63 257 1 258 0 42 0 0 62 256 2 260 21 43 0 0 1,529
Ondo 0 19 0 57 17 221 0 0 21 0 14 222 8 222 34 11 0 14 860
Osun 40 1 98 81 21 364 1 153 160 88 57 362 7 366 27 214 18 0 2,058
Oyo 294 18 0 23 0 385 0 1 1 10 16 403 36 387 24 190 40 0 1,828
Plateau 56 1 6 0 0 227 1 1 12 29 227 212 199 224 129 161 0 0 1,485
Rivers 343 263 314 314 7 343 119 328 308 30 75 347 269 343 11 270 338 42 4,064
Sokoto 5 4 1 60 26 268 0 226 1 5 2 268 27 259 5 265 55 0 1,477
Taraba 23 1 3 167 0 187 0 28 77 9 1 185 173 185 28 123 131 30 1,351
Yobe 32 1 45 68 0 196 0 18 0 0 188 198 0 196 186 0 0 0 1,128
Zamfara 140 29 162 151 39 164 0 162 159 6 149 162 157 162 18 4 12 139 1,815
FCT 63 25 1 69 2 69 0 69 0 0 67 69 22 69 23 0 20 0 568
TOTAL 3,358 1,531 1,723 3,626 548 9,581 933 3,932 2,546 620 4,859 9,604 3,805 9,539 3,452 3,310 3,151 1,939 68,057

Table 8.24: Accredited Collation Agents for the 18 Political Parties at the National Collation Centre
Party
A AA AAC ADC ADP APC APGA APM APP BP LP NNPP PDP PRP SDP YPP ZLP Total
NRM
No. of 2 2 1 2 1 2 0 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 3 1 2 0 28
Agents

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8.11. Issues and Commission’s State Headquarters in Enugu

State on 16th May 2021, the attackers set
Challenges the foyer ablaze, vandalised offices and
equipment and cause extensive damage
In the run-up to the 2023 General Election, to properties including burning down
the Commission was confronted with and damaging eight Toyota Hilux vehicles
several issues and challenges that were In another attack on the Commission’s
beyond its control. The first major challenge Abeokuta South LGA office of Ogun State
was the spate of attacks on its personnel on 10 November 2022, the entire building
and facilities by thugs and unknown with all the assets was destroyed, including
gunmen and arsonists nationwide. In the critical election materials comprising of
period between the 2019 General Election 904 ballot boxes, 29 voting cubicles, 30
and 12th December 2022, the Commission megaphones, 8 electric generators and
suffered over 50 attacks on its buildings 65,699 uncollected PVCs. The cumulative
and facilities at various LGA and State effect of these attacks impacted negatively
offices across 15 States of the federation on the preparation for the 2023 General
during which vehicles, office equipment Election. The Commission was compelled
and election materials were destroyed as to request for supplementary appropriation
shown in figure 8.3 below. This is apart to among other pressing and unanticipated
from damages to the Commission’s facilities expenditure to meet the exigencies of
because of burglary and destruction of relocating its electoral operations away
election materials as well as fire accidents from the destroyed facilities and to replace
and natural disasters such as flooding lost election materials.
and rainstorms. In one such attack on the

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LEGEND OF INCIDENTS NATIONWIDE AGAINST INEC FACILITIES IN

THE RUN-UP TO THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Another major challenge the Commission 2023, it did not alleviate the acute shortage
faced was the currency swap by the Central of currency and Naira scarcity resulting
Bank of Nigeria. It would be recalled that in economic hardship, social unrest, and
on 26th October 2022, the then Governor political tension across the country. For
of the Central Bank of Nigeria announced the Commission, the situation was quite
the redesign of the highest denominations serious since emergency situations do arise
of the Naira and gave a deadline of 100 during election requiring cash payment
days to the 31st of January 2023 for the from the Commission. There are also some
deposit of the old notes in exchange for the critical transactions, especially payment to
new ones. Although the deadline was later transport providers and certain categories
extended by 10 days to the 10th of February of ad-hoc staff that the Commission can

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only pay either partly or fully in cash. timeframe. Given that the Commission
Furthermore, the limit placed on cash required over 100,000 vehicles and over
withdrawal from the bank constituted an 4,000 boats, this situation had to be
encumbrance on the ability of the transport addressed to facilitate the expeditious
providers to service and fuel their vehicles deployment of election materials and
for election duty. To mitigate this grave personnel, especially to locations with
situation, the INEC Chairman met with the difficult terrain and riverine areas. The
Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Commission took necessary remedial
on 7th February 2023 to express concern actions to mitigate these challenges first
about the Naira swap policy and how it by meeting with the management of the
might affect the general election. Given the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
criticality of the situation, the Central Bank Limited (NNPCL) to seek its support and
made necessary arrangement to provide assistance in making petroleum products
the Commission with some cash for the available for the purpose of the election and
purpose of the election. secondly by signing a revised Memorandum
of Understanding with the National Union
The Commission was also confronted of Road Transport Workers (NURTW),
with the challenge of election logistics National Association of Road Transport
delivery arising from the prevailing fuel Owners (NARTO) and the Maritime
scarcity across the country as well as the Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) for the
lack of adequate vehicles and boats for the timely transportation, delivery and retrieval
transportation of election personnel and of election personnel and materials.
materials to the field within the required

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu with the Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, Mr. Mele
Kyari, at a crucial meeting held at the NNPCL headquarters, Abuja on 31st January 2023, to discuss adequate supply of petroleum products
for the 2023 General Election.

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Chapter 9
Conduct of the
Presidential and
National Assembly
Elections, 25th of
February 2023

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The opening of polls for the Presidential In the run-up to the election, all Registration
and National Assembly election at Area Camps (RACs) and Super Registration
8:30am on the 25th of February and for Area Camps (SRACs) nationwide were
the Governorship and State Houses of identified, made suitable to camp election
Assembly Elections on the 18th of March personnel, and prepared for the election
2023 across the 176,606 polling units with RAC materials and activated on the
nationwide is a culmination of at least two eve of election. In a few cases however,
years of continuous planning, training, there were exceptions where neither
implementation, monitoring, reviews, and RACs nor SRACs were activated for sundry
interventions. The implementation and reasons. For instance, in Plateau State
monitoring of the processes as well as the RACs in LGAs like Riyom, Barkin Ladi, and
conduct of the election itself became more Wase were not activated on the eve of the
intense however with the release of the election owing to logistics and security
timetable and schedule of activities for challenges. RACs located in remote LGAs,
the 2023 General Election on the 25th of and RAs in Sardauna LGA of Taraba state
February 2023. At stake in that election could not be activated arising from late
were 470 elective positions, consisting arrival of sensitive materials. Such RAs had
of 1 (presidential post), 109 (Senatorial to mobilize and deploy directly from the
posts) and 360 (federal constituency posts). LGA Office to polling units. In Anambra
91,382 4-wheeled vehicles, 3,019 boats, State, RACs were not activated for seven
88,090 motorcycles were deployed to (7) registration areas in Ihiala LGA owing
provide election materials and personnel to security reasons. In Imo state, most of
across the 8,809 wards, 774 LGAs as well the LGAs did not operate the normal RACs
as the 36 states and the FCT as indicated or Super RACs but operated a single mega
in table 9.1 below. These deployments camp in their LGAs, again, for security
were the result of a series of coordinated reasons. Similarly, RACs and SRACs were
and planned activities in the field involving not activated in Southern Ijaw and Nembe
regular staff, over one million ad-hoc LGAs of Bayelsa State for security reasons,
staff, transport providers and security and deployments had to be made directly
agents. The Commission had throughout from LGA Headquarters. There were also
the week, monitored the progress of the instances in Katsina state where RACs
implementation of the election across the for 10 inaccessible LGAs were relocated
country through the Election Monitoring to safer locations and converted to Super
and Support Centre during which these RAC’s because of security challenges. Late
deployments from the Commission’s activation of RACs/SRACs was witnessed
Headquarters/Zonal Stores, the CBN and in Rivers State for security concerns, while
then from these locations to State and LGA in Ogun and Ekiti States, some RACs and
Offices as well as to RACs and PUs were SRACs were relocated to more spacious
monitored. and conducive locations. Sensitive and non-
sensitive materials required for the election
were received in all states. While sensitive

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materials were stored in CBN of respective materials from zonal stores.

states, non-sensitive materials received
from zonal stores were stored in States/ Overall, though, 50% of the RACs and
LGAs stores. States like Kwara and Plateau SRACs across the country were identified,
identified shortages and mix-ups which prepared, and activated on Friday, 24th
were swiftly attended to. Benue and Yobe of February 2023 as indicated in table
States identified printing errors which were 9.3, while over 45% became active before
subsequently reported to the headquarters midnight. Due to the security situation in
for intervention. Taraba state reported a number of states across the geo-political
the inadequacy of logistics for movement zones election materials were moved
of materials to the LGAs. Kaduna state directly to PUs either from the State or LGA
reported late deployment of non-sensitive Offices.

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Table 9.1: Transportation Matrix for Election Officials for the Presidential & National Assembly Elections
A B C D E I J K L M N O P Q S
S/N States LGA No. of RA's No. of Prov. of Prov. of Hiring of Hiring of Provision of Hiring of Hiring of Total Vehicles Total Boats Prov. of M/cycle for
PUs Vehicles for Vehicle for Vehicles for RA Vehicles for Vehicles for Vehicles Vehicles for for Riverine Diff. Terrain (@ 10
Poll Officials Reverse Supervisors RA Collation Movement for LGA LGA Collation Areas per RA)
(@ 12 Logistics Officers from State HQ Supervisors Officer
persons for to LGA
14-Seater
Bus)
1 Abia 17 184 4,062 1,439 184 184 184 17 17 17 2,042 3,019 1,840
2 Adamawa 21 226 4,104 1,454 226 226 226 21 21 21 2,195 2,260
3 A/Ibom 31 329 4,353 1,542 329 329 329 31 31 31 2,622 3,290
4 Anambra 21 326 5,720 2,026 326 326 326 21 21 21 3,067 3,260
5 Bauchi 20 212 5,423 1,921 212 212 212 20 20 20 2,617 2,120
6 Bayelsa 8 105 2,244 795 105 105 105 8 8 8 1,134 1,050
7 Benue 23 276 5,102 1,807 276 276 276 23 23 23 2,704 2,760
8 Borno 27 312 5,071 1,796 312 312 312 27 27 27 2,813 3,120
9 C/River 18 193 3,281 1,162 193 193 193 18 18 18 1,795 1,930
10 Delta 25 270 5,863 2,076 270 270 270 25 25 25 2,961 2,700
11 Ebonyi 13 171 2,946 1,043 171 171 171 13 13 13 1,595 1,710
12 Edo 18 192 4,519 1,600 192 192 192 18 18 18 2,230 1,920
13 Ekiti 16 177 2,445 866 177 177 177 16 16 16 1,445 1,770
14 Enugu 17 260 4,145 1,468 260 260 260 17 17 17 2,299 2,600
15 Gombe 11 114 2,988 1,058 114 114 114 11 11 11 1,433 1,140
16 Imo 27 305 4,758 1,685 305 305 305 27 27 27 2,681 3,050
17 Jigawa 27 287 4,522 1,602 287 287 287 27 27 27 2,544 2,870
18 Kaduna 23 255 8,012 2,838 255 255 255 23 23 23 3,672 2,550
19 Kano 44 484 11,222 3,974 484 484 484 44 44 44 5,558 4,840
20 Katsina 34 361 6,652 2,356 361 361 361 34 34 34 3,541 3,610
21 Kebbi 21 225 3,743 1,326 225 225 225 21 21 21 2,064 2,250
22 Kogi 21 239 3,508 1,242 239 239 239 21 21 21 2,022 2,390
23 Kwara 16 193 2,887 1,022 193 193 193 16 16 16 1,649 1,930
24 Lagos 20 245 13,325 4,719 245 245 245 20 20 20 5,514 2,450
25 Nasarawa 13 147 3,256 1,153 147 147 147 13 13 13 1,633 1,470
26 Niger 25 274 4,950 1,753 274 274 274 25 25 25 2,650 2,740

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27 Ogun 20 236 5,042 1,786 236 236 236 20 20 20 2,554 2,360

28 Ondo 18 203 3,933 1,393 203 203 203 18 18 18 2,056 2,030
29 Osun 30 332 3,763 1,333 332 332 332 30 30 30 2,419 3,320
30 Oyo 33 351 6,390 2,263 351 351 351 33 33 33 3,415 3,510
31 Plateau 17 207 4,989 1,767 207 207 207 17 17 17 2,439 2,070
32 Rivers 23 319 6,866 2,432 319 319 319 23 23 23 3,458 3,190
33 Sokoto 23 244 3,991 1,413 244 244 244 23 23 23 2,214 2,440
34 Taraba 16 168 3,597 1,274 168 168 168 16 16 16 1,826 1,680
35 Yobe 17 178 2,823 1,000 178 178 178 17 17 17 1,585 1,780
36 Zamfara 14 147 3,529 1,250 147 147 147 14 14 14 1,733 1,470
37 FCT-Abuja 6 62 2,822 999 62 62 62 6 6 6 1,203 620
Total 774 8,809 176,846 62,633 8,809 8,809 8,809 774 774 774 91,382 3,019 88,090

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9.1. Operation of the the safety of election staff and materials.

These EMSC reports were displayed via
National Situation Room the video wall links, allowing the command
and Collation Centre team to monitor updates and provide
timely interventions. Where necessary,
On the 25th of February 2023, the security backup and replacement materials
Independent National Electoral Commission were mobilized in coordination with state
(INEC) set the stage for a pivotal day in officials.
Nigeria's democracy as the nation went to
the polls for the Presidential and National As the collation of Presidential results
Assembly elections. At the heart of this progressed from the states to the National
electoral machinery was the National level, the figures were verified, tallied, and
Situation Room and Collation Centre, displayed on the video wall and INEC's public
located inside the expansive ICC Hall at the portal through an automation integration
International Conference Centre complex developed by the technical team. Despite
in Abuja. Covering a vast area of 6000 the vast scale of the electoral operations
square meters, this facility was tailored to across Nigeria, the Situation Room ensured
serve as the nerve centre for monitoring the smooth monitoring and enabled the accurate
conduct of elections across the 774 Local and timely declaration of the Presidential
Government Areas (LGAs) nationwide. results. Adjacent to the Situation Room, the
A 50-member interagency technical National Collation Centre was also a hub of
team worked tirelessly to manage the activity. Accreditation tags were distributed
Situation Room's operations. This diverse to party agents and accredited observers
team consisted of senior INEC officials, who eagerly participated in the collation
ICT engineers, network specialists, data process. The hall was meticulously arranged
analysts, call centre agents, and support to accommodate State Collation Officers
personnel. who would bring in their election results.
Large screens were set up to display collated
Inside the Situation Room, information was results, and proceedings were televised live,
being transmitted from the field through acknowledging the high-profile nature of
video monitors on the walls of the main Hall the presidential results collation.
of the ICC. These reports were beamed from
the states from the EMSC that became an Results began to trickle in from Sunday
important monitoring tool. The information evening, and State Collation Officers
gathered included the deployment of arrived at the National Collation Centre,
personnel and materials to Registration accompanied by security escorts, ready
Area Camps (RACs), status of RAC activation to present their election results. The
across LGAs, commencement of polls in Returning Officer began the collation
polling units, the voting process, voter process after verifying the results and
turnout, incidents, performance of BVAS resolving any discrepancies with the aid
devices during accreditation, counting, of Collation Support officers. Party agents
collation, transmission of results, and and observers closely followed the process,

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which proceeded smoothly throughout enabling the Commission to have a sense of

the night under the watchful eye of heavy the status of implementation and readiness
security presence. The final collation was for the election.
successfully concluded in the early hours
of Monday morning, with the Election The EMSC Secretariat at the HQ, has
Management System playing a crucial role 12 Data Administrators (DAs) and one
in ensuring the accurate collation of results. Consultant. Each DA is assigned 3 states,
Ultimately, the Collation and Returning maintaining close contact with the EMSC
Officer for the Presidential Election (CROPE) State Secretariats in these states from which
declared the winner of the election, marking data on status readiness for elections is
a significant moment in the nation's political reported and fed into the EMSC Dashboard.
history. For the 2023 GE, the EMCS HQ moved to
the National Collation Centre to coordinate
the receipt of state reports and analyses on
9.2. Operation of the all the KPIs.
Election Monitoring and Thus, the EMSC reported on all the KPIs
Support Centre across the three monitoring zones – Green,
Amber, and Red – providing information and
Established in 2017 as a planning, assessments on the readiness statuses of
implementation, monitoring, early warning States and the FCT for the election. These
and field support for the Commission’s reports, especially those during the amber
electoral projects and personnel, the zone, were key in the Commission’s effort
Election Monitoring and Support Centre to intensify the monitoring and supervision
(EMSC) was set up by the Independent of the receipt and deployment of non-
National Electoral Commission (INEC) sensitive and later sensitive materials. More
was central in the conduct of the 2023, specifically, it was the monitoring of status
as it was for that of the 2015 and readiness and implementation status 24
2019 General Elections. The planning, hours to the election. This specifically saw
management and conduct of the 2023 GE the EMSC monitoring and reporting on the
was effected through the close monitoring receipt, batching and deployment of non-
of the implementation of the Commission’s sensitive and sensitive election materials,
projects and plans in the 2022-2026 SP/ the activation of RACs, the number of
SPIP, but especially the 2023 EPP. Both personnel at the RACs/SuperRACs, the
documents specified in detail the plans and status of equipment, and in this case the
projects of the Commission for the 2023 BVAS and its accessories as well as the
GE, and monitoring the implementation availability of security and transportation.
of these plans was the task of the EMSC. Also monitored was the deployment of
Based on the SP/SPIP, the 2023 EPP and a personnel and materials to PUs on Election
bank of indicators for monitoring elections Day, the opening and closing of polls,
developed over previous Electoral Cycles, processes of accreditation, counting and
the EMSC generated over 650 KPIs, the collation of results and so on. Table

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9.3 below provides details of the status of personnel and materials on Election Day to
the preparation and activation of RACs, a enable early opening of polls.
critical staging post for the deployment of

Table 9.2: RAC Preparation and Activation Data by 22:00 Hours on Friday 24th of February 2023
S/No State No of LGA No of RAs No of RAC RAC
Activations by Activations
10pm by 10pm in
percentage
1 Abia 17 184 0*8 0%
2 Adamawa 21 226 103 46%
3 Akwa Ibom 31 329 94 29%
4 Anambra 21 326 33 10%
5 Bauchi 20 212 71 33%
6 Bayelsa 8 105 71 68%
7 Benue 23 276 248 90%
8 Borno 27 312 0* 0%
9 Cross River 18 193 63 33%
10 Delta 25 270 43 16%
11 Ebonyi 13 171 14* 8%
12 Edo 18 192 96 50%
13 Ekiti 16 177 175 99%
14 Enugu 17 260 217 83%
15 Gombe 11 114 108 95%
16 Imo 27 305 255 84%
17 Jigawa 27 287 210 73%
18 Kaduna 23 255 86 34%
19 Kano 44 484 8* 2%
20 Katsina 34 361 335 93%
21 Kebbi 21 225 208 92%
22 Kogi 21 239 215 90%
23 Kwara 16 193 109 56%
24 Lagos 20 245 204 83%
25 Nasarawa 13 147 67 46%
26 Niger 25 274 13* 5%
27 Ogun 20 236 191 81%
28 Ondo 18 203 156 77%

For the States with asterisk (Abia, Borno, Ebonyi, Kano, Niger, Plateau, Rivers and Zamfara either reports were not filed at all, or very few reports filed.
8

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29 Osun 30 332 328 99%

30 Oyo 33 351 335 95%
31 Plateau 17 207 7* 3%
32 Rivers 23 319 4* 1%
33 Sokoto 23 244 206 84%
34 Taraba 16 168 89 53%
35 Yobe 17 178 52 29%
36 Zamfara 14 147 11* 7%
37 FCT 6 62 62 100%
Total 774 8809 4487 51%

9.3. Opening of Polls materials and personnel in difficult and

mountainous terrains of Kogi state. This
The opening of polls was generally peaceful resulted in protracted negotiations over
and orderly. The polls opened on time in most prices and leading eventually to the payment
polling stations, and there were no major of higher prices than was budgeted for.
incidents of violence reported. The logistics Plateau, Taraba, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Edo,
for deployment of election personnel Ekiti, Ogun States complained of poor
and materials in states was anchored performance and lack of corporation by
on the review of the Memorandum of transporters. Specifically, Plateau State
Understanding (MoU) signed between the reported the supply of smaller vehicles
Commission and the three main transport like ‘Sharon’ instead of agreed 18-seater
Unions – National Association of Road buses. In Taraba State, the Commission
Transport Owners (NARTO), the National had difficulty in persuading the unions to
Union Road Transport Workers (NURTW), accept to deliver electoral materials and
and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria personnel at the price initially offered by
(MWUN) which formally become a part of the Commission. In Enugu State, drivers
the MoU in preparation for the 2023 General delayed the movement of personnel in
Election. All Electoral Officers were directed some LGAs because of difficulty in getting
to forward their logistics requirement to fuel as well as security threats. In Imo
their respective state offices for proper state, the transport unions boycotted some
planning. Consequent upon the forgoing, LGAs, citing insecurity as the reason for
deployment of vehicles, motorcycles and not deploying their vehicles to such LGAs.
boats were informed by the submissions of Resultantly, Electoral Officers were asked
the EOs based on the peculiarities of each to source for vehicles from their LGAs
LGA’s terrain. during the second election. In Edo state,
Road Transport Unions colluded with their
The Commission had difficulty in persuading vehicle operators to hike the cost per vehicle
the unions to accept to deliver electoral while the election processes were on going.

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They also insisted on full cash payments disagreements relating to the distance of
without which they were not moving. These the newly created PUs, which also caused
situations resulted in late opening of polls. In delays in the opening of polls. In Plateau
Sokoto state, some terrains are so bad that state, late opening of polls was caused by
buses and small vehicles could not operate supply of wrong vehicles, contrary to those
on those routes. A positive development specified in the contracts with vehicle
occurred in Ondo state when the NURTW owners. There were areas in Adamawa
state officials were at hand throughout state where Poll Officials had to go on foot,
the whole election period to respond to as for example, in Bolki RA of Numan LGA
every distress call on transportation from resulting in late opening of polls. In Bekaji
the field. Generally, transport unions were Primary school of Yola North LGA during the
reported to have conducted themselves Presidential/National Assembly Elections,
slightly better during the State House of polls did not open until the next day owing
Assembly and Supplementary elections to the deliberate refusal by the APO I to use
than they did at the Presidential/ National the BVAS. In Borno state, late opening of
Assembly elections. polls in some LGAs were occasioned by the
restriction of movement and the consistent
A couple of states such as Niger, Osun, patrols of the roads by the Joint Task
Zamfara and the FCT reported timely Force, a situation that hindered the prompt
opening of polls. Generally, the election resolution of malfunctioning equipment
witnessed timely opening of polls save for such as the BVAS, which had to be taken to
a few exceptions owing to logistic reasons, Maiduguri for reconfiguration. The election
difficult terrains etc. Late opening of poll in Bayelsa state equally witnessed late
was observed in few Polling Units of Oyo, opening of poll especially in Yenagoa LGA
Kwara, Lagos, Plateau, Borno, Gombe, where the Commission had to shift the
Ogun, Bayelsa, Enugu, Benue, Yobe, and election in 141 Polling Units. Most polling
Ajaokuta LGA of Kogi State. stations in Lagos state opened on time
except in Amuwo-Odofin, Apapa, Eti-Osa,
Difficult terrain in Gombe state resulted Ojo and Oshodi-Isolo LGAs due to issues
in late opening of polls in some PUs. Olla ranging from transporters refusal to deploy,
Ward in Isin LGA of Kwara State recorded fear of violence and intimidation. Finally,
disagreement between two candidates inter union rivalry between the NURTW
about the location of a PU, which delayed and State Park Managers in Ogun state
commencement of voting until the resulted in late opening of polls in few PUs.
intervention of the Army Area Commander. Table 9.3 provides data on the opening and
Similarly, in Baruten, Edu and Kaiama close of polls countrywide.
LGAs of same Kwara State, there were

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Table 9.3: Opening-Close of Polls and Number of Accredited Voters, 25th February 2023
S/No State No of No of No of PUs Opened
LGA RAs PUs By % 8.31am % After %
8.30am -10.00am
1 Abia 17 184 4,062 27 0.66 27 0.66 2222 54.70
2 Adamawa 21 226 4,104 2284 55.65 1167 28.44 28 0.68
3 Akwa Ibom 31 329 4,353 699 16.06 1398 32.12 1826 41.95
4 Anambra 21 326 5,720 8 0.14 976 17.06 871 15.23
5 Bauchi 20 212 5,423 466 8.59 3499 64.52 296 5.46
6 Bayelsa 8 105 2,244 134 5.97 1375 61.27 24 1.07
7 Benue 23 276 5,102 2288 44.85 1409 27.62 936 18.35
8 Borno 27 312 5,071 5 0.10 40 0.79 56 1.10
9 Cross River 18 193 3,281 149 4.54 943 28.74 683 20.82
10 Delta 25 270 5,863 3947 67.32 1259 21.47 452 7.71
11 Ebonyi 13 171 2,946 885 30.04 448 15.21 646 21.93
12 Edo 18 192 4,519 624 13.81 17 0.38 0 0.00
13 Ekiti 16 177 2,445 1703 69.65 739 30.22 3 0.12
14 Enugu 17 260 4,145 4 0.10 5 0.12 10 0.24
15 Gombe 11 114 2,988 1702 56.96 962 32.20 140 4.69
16 Imo 27 305 4,758 0 0.00 74 1.56 480 10.09
17 Jigawa 27 287 4,522 1940 42.90 1899 41.99 600 13.27
18 Kaduna 23 255 8,012 288 3.59 696 8.69 1034 12.91
19 Kano 44 484 11,222 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00
20 Katsina 34 361 6,652 1346 20.23 3154 47.41 1171 17.60
21 Kebbi 21 225 3,743 787 21.03 456 12.18 292 7.80
22 Kogi 21 239 3,508 1171 33.38 1581 45.07 447 12.74
23 Kwara 16 193 2,887 527 18.25 956 33.11 1091 37.79
24 Lagos 20 245 13,325 1843 13.83 6568 49.29 3744 28.10
25 Nasarawa 13 147 3,256 68 2.09 1737 53.35 1307 40.14
26 Niger 25 274 4,950 1548 31.27 1971 39.82 21 0.42
27 Ogun 20 236 5,042 1283 25.45 2188 43.40 457 9.06
28 Ondo 18 203 3,933 3543 90.08 174 4.42 166 4.22
29 Osun 30 332 3,763 3054 81.16 323 8.58 10 0.27
30 Oyo 33 351 6,390 4434 69.39 1506 23.57 306 4.79
31 Plateau 17 207 4,989 320 6.41 1070 21.45 1044 20.93
32 Rivers 23 319 6,866 127 1.85 0 0.00 0 0.00
33 Sokoto 23 244 3,991 1049 26.28 2116 53.02 823 20.62
34 Taraba 16 168 3,597 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00
35 Yobe 17 178 2,823 1634 57.88 815 28.87 127 4.50
36 Zamfara 14 147 3,529 502 14.22 706 20.01 666 18.87
37 FCT 6 62 2,822 236 8.36 1870 66.27 649 23.00
Totals 774 8,809 176,846 40,625 44,124 22,628
Compliance Percentage 23% 25% 13%

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9.4. Voting Process and Voting took place in the 176,606 PUs
across the country when polls opened at
Performance of Equipment 8:30am. The procedures approved in the
Regulations and Guidelines for the Election,
The BVAS was used for the first time in the 2022 were observed during the voting and
2023 General Election. The preparation accreditation process across all 36 states
for the deployment of these systems for and the FCT. States such as Edo, Bayelsa,
Election Day began way back in the Electoral Katsina, FCT, Kogi, Benue, to give but a few
Cycle, beginning from the procurement examples, reported optimal performance of
of the devices (see chapter 8) through to the BVAS. In other states, concerns arising
configuration and activation. As explained from the BVAS were speedily attended
elsewhere in this Report, the BVAS is a to by designated RATECHs who were on
device used for the accreditation of voters. ground in each RA. In a few places, such as
It authenticates voters’ fingerprints or Taraba State, reports of the refusal of the
facials, matching the capture details with use of BVAS in Assa LGA and in some parts
the data stored on the device. A total of of Gombe state were recorded. Ebonyi state
175,846 systems were deployed to PUs reported the failure of the BVAS to function
for the election. The distribution of the in some PUs due to poor network or related
systems, shown in table 9.4, indicates that challenges. These challenges were either
171, 823 PUs had one BVAS each; 4,468 resolved by designated officials handling the
PUs had one (1) additional system; 261 PUs technical aspect of the election or the rules
had 2 additional systems, 33 PUs had 3; 8 as contained in the Regulations were applied.
PUs had 4; 5 PUs had 5 additional systems; Overall, the performance of the systems
7 PUs had 6. 1 PU, LGEA Primary School, was excellent across the country, ensuring
Ganaja Village, in Ajaokuta LGA of Kofi State speedy accreditation/ authentication of
with 11,512 registered voters, the most voters. A comparison of the accreditation
densely populated PU in the entire country, and the number of registered voters for the
had 9 additional systems deployed. 2019 and 2023 General Elections shows
the high proportion of accredited voters in
relation to registered voters across the two
elections as indicated in figure 9.1 below.

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Figure 9.1: Comparison of Registered and Accredited for the 2019 and 2023
General Elections

The INEC Chairman and National Commissioners at the opening of the National Situation Room and Collation Centre on Friday 24th February
2023 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja

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Table 9.4: BVAS Deployment Chart on PU Basis

S/N State PUs with PUs with PUs with 1 PUs with 2 PUs with 3 PUs with 4 PUs PUs with 6 PUs with 9 Total
No BVAS 1 BVAS Additional Additional Additional Additional with 5 Additional Additional PUs
Deployed Deployed BVAS BVAS BVAS BVAS Additional BVAS Bvas
(Zero PUs) Deployed Deployed Deployed Deployed BVAS Deployed Deployed
Deployed
1 Abia 12 3,876 154 15 5 - - - - 4,062
2 Adamawa 4 4,078 22 - - - - - - 4,104
3 Akwa Ibom - 4,317 31 5 - - - - - 4,353
4 Anambra 6 5,546 162 4 2 - - - - 5,720
5 Bauchi 6 5,221 186 10 - - - - - 5,423
6 Bayelsa 2 2,204 37 1 - - - - - 2,244
7 Benue 10 5,063 28 1 - - - - - 5,102
8 Borno 12 4,903 149 7 - - - - - 5,071
9 Cross River - 3,259 22 - - - - - - 3,281
10 Delta 4 5,571 281 6 1 - - - - 5,863
11 Ebonyi 4 2,853 85 4 - - - - - 2,946
12 Edo 1 4,424 92 2 - - - - - 4,519
13 Ekiti 4 2,429 16 - - - - - - 2,449
14 Enugu 11 3,952 183 6 - - - - - 4,152
15 Gombe - 2,903 81 2 1 1 - - - 2,988
16 Imo 38 4,689 31 - - - - - - 4,758
17 Jigawa 3 4,458 61 - - - - - - 4,522
18 Kaduna 8 7,890 107 6 - 1 - - - 8,012
19 Kano 10 10,995 211 6 - - - - - 11,222

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20 Katsina 12 6,516 120 4 - - - - - 6,652

21 Kebbi 5 3,704 34 - - - - - - 3,743
22 Kogi - 3,431 75 1 - - - - 1 3,508
23 Kwara 1 2,842 43 1 - - - - - 2,887
24 Lagos 3 12,897 384 32 3 4 - 2 - 13,325
25 Nasarawa 11 3,187 46 6 2 1 1 2 - 3,256
26 Niger 10 4,884 55 1 - - - - 4,950
27 Ogun - 4,827 187 20 6 - 1 1 - 5,042
28 Ondo 2 3,866 62 3 - - - - - 3,933
29 Osun - 3,742 19 2 - - - - - 3,763
30 Oyo - 6,276 106 7 - 1 - - - 6,390
31 Plateau 6 4,640 336 7 - - - - - 4,989
32 Rivers 1 6,413 405 39 4 - 3 1 - 6,866
33 Sokoto 8 3,967 16 - - - - - - 3,991
34 Taraba 34 3,221 322 19 1 - - - - 3,597
35 Yobe 11 2,660 145 7 - - - - - 2,823
36 Zamfara 1 3,491 37 - - - - - - 3,529
37 FCT - 2,628 137 37 8 - - 1 2,811
Total 240 171,823 4,468 261 33 8 5 7 1 176,846

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9.5. Counting, Collation of Representatives as well at the State

Collation Centres. The results declared
and the Declaration of at the State Collation Centres were then
Results brought to the National Collation Centre in
Abuja by the State Collation Officers for the
The counting, collation and declaration of Presidential Election (SCOPES), who were
results took place for the 470 constituencies all Vice Chancellors of Federal Universities
on the 25th of February 2023 at the across the Country, accompanied by the
176,606 PUs, 8,809 Wards, 36 State and Resident Electoral Commissioners, the
FCT Collation Centres (for the Presidential Commissioners of Police as well as the State
Election) 109 Senatorial District Collation Directors of State Security.
Centres, 360 Federal Constituencies and at
the National Collation Centre in Abuja. From In the Presidential/National Assembly
each of the PUs, the EC 8A result sheets, elections, the collation of results started at
haven been duly completed in line with the the Registration Area by the Registration
Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct Area Collation Officers followed by the
of Elections, 2022, are then scanned with second level of Collation by the Local
the BVAS and uploaded onto the IReV Portal Government Collation Officers, where in
(see Chapter 3 of this Report). Besides the some instances declaration and returns
upload to the Portal, the PO is required were made for some Federal Constituency
by law to fill out Form EC 60E, popularly elections. The final collation for the
known as ‘the people’s result’ and paste the presidential election was done at the state
Form prominently on a wall in the premises level before the results were forwarded
of the PU. One of the key and laudable to Abuja for final collation for declaration
innovations the Commission introduced and return. For the Gubernatorial/State
prior to the 2023 General Elections was Assembly elections the same process was
the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) to followed, except that declaration and return
promote transparency and integrity in the was made for the state constituencies at
electoral process elections. The IReV Portal the various State Constituencies whereas
is a public-facing website that shows the the final collation for Governorship election
images of the result sheets of an election was done at the collation centre in the state
at the polling unit level. Those images are office where declaration and return were
uploaded by the designated presiding officer made. All collated results were carefully
using the BVAS device. At the end of the arranged and kept for furture reference.
poll in a polling unit, the PO takes a photo These were the scenarios in all states
of the completed and signed result sheet where elections were held. There were
and uploads it to the IReV portal, making it cancellations across all PUs in states where
available to the public and all stakeholders. over voting occurred and zero recorded for
refusal to use the BVAS. Table 9.5 below
The declaration of the aggregated PU provides a picture of the range of challenges
results were declared at the RAs, various encountered during voting, accreditation,
constituencies for the Senatorial and House and collation of results countrywide.

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Table 9.5: Threat Matrix During Accreditation, Voting and Counting of Results on the 25th of February
S/N State LGA RA Threat Remarks Timestamp
1 Adamawa Guyuk Banjiram BVAS Malfunction Unit 009 2023-03-18 10:54:01
2 Adamawa Michika VI / Boka BVAS Malfunction Unit 006 2023-03-18 10:55:08
3 Adamawa Yola South Ngurore Failure to Replace BVAS Problem resolved 2023-03-18 13:04:47
3 Akwa Ibom Uyo Offot I BVAS Malfunction BVAS is not exporting data in
unit 36
4 Akwa Ibom Uyo Etoi II BVAS Malfunction Ward 5, Unit 19 2023-03-18 11:11:41
5 Akwa Ibom Uyo Oku I BVAS Malfunction Ward 10, Unit 6 2023-03-18 11:18:26
6 Akwa Ibom Uyo Etoi I BVAS Malfunction BVAS unable to export data 2023-03-18 12:48:43
both online and off-line in unit
42
7 Akwa Ibom Uyo Uyo Urban II BVAS Malfunction Unit 49 BVAS refuses to upload 2023-03-18 16:13:18
result
8 Anambra Awka North Ebenebe II BVAS Malfunction It was resolved immediately 2023-03-18 10:53:55
9 Anambra Awka North Amansea BVAS Malfunction It was resolved immediately 2023-03-18 10:55:04
10 Anambra Orumba Owerre- BVAS Malfunction The RATECH Officer has 2023-03-18 11:23:58
South Ezukala II reconfigured the BVAS
11 Anambra Onitsha- American BVAS Malfunction Not yet 2023-03-18 16:30:21
North Quarters
12 Anambra Onitsha- Inland Town BVAS Malfunction Not yet 2023-03-18 16:31:02
North IV
13 Anambra Onitsha- Ogbe BVAS Malfunction Not yet 2023-03-18 16:31:27
North Umuonicha
14 Anambra Onitsha- Trans Nkisi BVAS Malfunction Not yet 2023-03-18 16:31:41
North
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15 Anambra Onitsha- Water-Side BVAS Malfunction Not yet 2023-03-18 16:31:56

North Central II
16 Anambra Onitsha- Woluwo BVAS Malfunction Not yet 2023-03-18 16:32:12
North Layout
17 Anambra Onitsha- Inland Town V BVAS Malfunction Not yet 2023-03-18 16:32:28
North
18 Anambra Onitsha- Inland Town II BVAS Malfunction Not yet 2023-03-18 16:32:56
North
19 Benue Konshisha Mbayegh/ BVAS Malfunction Unit 017 in this RA polls 2023-03-19 08:12:35
Mbaikyer were disrupted due to BVAS
malfunctioning
20 Borno Askira / Uba Dille / Huyum BVAS Malfunction 2023-03-18 11:30:12
21 Delta Warri South- Aja-Udaibo BVAS Malfunction 2023-03-18 10:35:57
West
22 Ekiti Ekiti South- Ilawe II BVAS Malfunction 2023-03-18 13:00:38
West
23 Gombe Akko Akko BVAS Malfunction 2023-03-18 12:10:02
24 Jigawa Birniwa Fagi BVAS Malfunction 2023-03-18 12:42:41
25 Kaduna Ikara Paki BVAS Malfunction 012 Cancelled 2023-03-18 19:57:50
26 Kaduna Kudan Doka BVAS Malfunction 2023-03-18 20:35:44
27 Niger Borgu Shagunu BVAS Malfunction Resolved 2023-03-18 15:29:09
28 Rivers Gokana Kpor/Lewe/ BVAS Malfunction Unit 9 in ward 15 is having 2023-03-18 10:43:37
Gbe issues with the BVAS
29 Rivers Oyigbo Komkom BVAS Malfunction Unit 15 in ward 1O is having 2023-03-18 11:00:08
issues with the BVAS
30 Rivers Obio/Akpor Oro-Igwe BVAS Malfunction 2023-03-18 15:16:53
31 Rivers Gokana Biara I BVAS Malfunction 2023-03-18 16:30:51
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9.6. Uploading of and transparency of the Commission’s

result management process.
Presidential Election
Result The challenge of uploading the PU
presidential election results on the IReV
The 2023 General Election was generally after the presidential and NASS elections
peaceful and orderly nationwide. Most on 25th February 2023 was unique. As
of the challenges encountered in the pre- voting ended across the country and POs
election, election and post-election periods began the process of uploading the images
were discussed in the preceding sections of the PU result sheets of the elections
of this Report. However, a key challenge for the various constituencies around
that impacted on the public perception 4:00pm, the Commission began to receive
of the election and elicited widespread reports that attempts to upload presidential
commentary is the failure to upload Polling election result sheets was failing. Following
Unit results of the presidential election to these reports, the Commission immediately
the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal in engaged with its field officials for details in
real-time at the close of polls on Saturday order to understand, and trace the origin,
25th February 2023. To begin with, it is source, scale and magnitude of the problem
important to note that the IReV portal is across the result management ecosystem
one of the most significant innovations to devise appropriate solutions.
introduced by the Commission prior to
the 2023 General Election to promote the In the troubleshooting process, it was
integrity and transparency of the electoral established that there was no issue in
process. As a public-facing website, the uploading the PU result sheets of the
IReV portal shows the images of the original Senate and House of Representatives
Polling Unit result sheets as recorded in elections through the Election Result
Form EC8A. Modules. However, there was a problem
with uploading the presidential election
The operational methodology and the results to the system. Attempts to upload
concept behind the upload of results to the the results were generating internal
IReV for public viewing is quite simple. At server errors, which refer to a significant
the end of polls, Polling Unit results (Form impairment that usually originate from
EC8As) are scanned and uploaded to the within an application due to problems
IReV by the Presiding Officer(s). These relating to configuration, permissions,
results are then available for viewing to the or failure to create or access application
public and all stakeholders. The system, resources correctly. Further interrogation of
which was first deployed during Nasarawa the Election Result Modules indicated that
Central State Constituency bye-election in the system is encountering an unexpected
August 2020 and tested in 105 subsequent configuration problem in mapping the
elections, including three (3) off-cycle presidential election results uploaded into
governorship elections, has tremendously the system to the participating Polling Units.
improved public confidence in the integrity

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Due to the complex, sensitive and critical uploaded images of the result sheets of the
nature of the systems and the real potential presidential election.
for malicious cyberattacks, the Commission
immediately put in place several strict Having identified and established the
security and audit control measures to source of the problem, the Commission
prevent any unfettered or elevated access quickly created and deployed “Hotfixes”
to the Result Upload System. In the process which are software updates for fixing a
of resolving the challenge, it was discovered bug or any vulnerabilities in a system. The
that the backend system of the IReV was deployed hotfixes eventually resolved
able to query and detect the base States the HTTP error on the system and the
for uploading the PU result sheets based first presidential election result sheet was
on the mapping of all Senatorial District successfully uploaded at 8.55pm on the
and Federal Constituency elections to the 25th of February 2023.
respective 36 States of the Federation and
the FCT as established in the database After the problem with the upload was
structure deployed within the system. resolved, the Commission noticed a high
In configuring and mapping the election volume of uploads on the queue. All results
results for the presidential and NASS that scanned but could not be uploaded
elections, the Commission created Four due to the error were queued waiting to be
Hundred and Seventy (470) election types automatically processed. Due to the large
consisting of one presidential constituency volume and high traffic from the queue, the
covering the entire country, 109 Senatorial system was running slower, even though it
Districts and 360 Federal Constituencies. tried to scale up automatically to handle the
Each Senatorial District and Federal unanticipated heavy traffic. The density of
Constituency election on the database the traffic that slowed the uploads was one
was mapped to their respective States. issue. Another was that the offline queue
However, the presidential election result requires the BVAS devices to be switched-
is a single, countrywide constituency and on and connected to the internet for the
therefore, does not belong to any one State. upload. However, some of the POs had
at the time left their PUs, and the devices
Consequently, while the uploads for the had either been switched-off, or were out
NASS elections succeeded as the application of internet coverage. Switched-off devices
was able to identify the respective State could not connect and upload the results
and build the folder hierarchy for the results sheets. The Commission had to reach out to
organization process for the election, the POs of affected areas to switch-on their
attempts to upload the presidential election systems and ensure internet connectivity
results sheets, which does not belong to for the uploads to continue. This accounted
or mapped to any State on the database, for the delay, with some of the results
failed. Instead, it returned a HTTP server coming in the next day.
error response. This failure is attributable
to the inability of the application to create
and build a folder structure to organize the

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By and large, the glitch experienced in centres and given to party agents and party
uploading the scanned images of PU officials.
presidential election result sheets on 25th
February 2023 was due to the inherent The 2023 General Election produced
complexity within the System, which the most diverse outcome in recent
was difficult to anticipate and mitigate. Nigerian electoral history in terms of party
Thereafter, the Commission has made representation in executive and legislative
improvements on the IReV and taken elections nationwide. Thus, four (4) political
additional steps to build more resilience parties produced State Governors, seven
and undertook additional checks to ensure (7) secured Senatorial seats, eight (8) won
the stability and optimal operation and federal constituencies and nine (9) in State
performance of the IReV portal. Additional seats.
quality assurance checks are now done to
complement the end-to-end testing of the A granular analysis of the results and
entire result upload ecosystem before the performance of the leading parties
conduct of any election. across the country affirms this diversity.
The performance of the four (4) leading
However, the glitch in the upload of the political parties – APC, LP, PDP and NNPP
presidential results sheets to iREV did not – in the presidential election across the 6
affect the credibility of the election. Agents geopolitical zones in respect of the required
of political parties and security agents 25% threshold to win a state in a presidential
were given copies of polling station results election is shown in Table 9.6 below. Clearly,
after they were announced in public. The across the zones, the performance of the
results were also displayed at polling units four (4) leading parties shows the diversity
for scrutiny by voters. So when they were and subtlety in the results, attesting to the
eventually uploaded, it was easy to compare integrity of both the process and outcome.
them with the copies displayed at polling

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Table 9.6: Zonal Performance of Four Leading Political Parties in Respect of the 25% Threshold for the Presidential
Election
Parties
Zones APC LP NNPP PDP
Scores % Scores % Scores % Scores %
North 1,760,993 40.03 1,415,557 32.18 60,056 1.37 1,162,087 26.42
Central
North East 1,185,458 35.19 315,107 9.35 126,343 3.75 1,741,846 51.71
North 2,641,306 40.08 350,182 5.31 1,268,250 19.25 2,329,540 35.35
West
South East 127,605 5.83 1,960,589 89.62 8,227 0.38 91,198 4.17
South 799,957 29.13 1,210,675 44.09 17,167 0.63 717,908 26.15
South
South 2,279,407 55.77 849,423 20.78 16,644 0.41 941,941 23.04
West

NNPP
NNPP
1.37%
3.75%

NNPP
19.25%
PDP APC APC
26.42% APC 35.19
40.03% PDP 40.08%
51.71% PDP
LP 35.35%
32.18%
LP
LP 5.31%
9.35%
North-Central North-East North-West

NNPP NNPP
PDP NNPP 0.63%
APC 0.41%
4.17% 0.38%
5.83%

PDP APC PDP

26.15% 29.13% 23.04%
APC
LP 55.77%
LP LP 20.78%
89.62% 44.09%

South-East South-South South-West

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INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu gives the Certificate of Return to the winner of the 2023 Presidential Election and Candidate of the All
Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the National Collation Centre, Abuja on 1st March 2023

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Winner of the 2023 Presidential Election, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accompanied by his wife, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, displays his Certificate
of Return at the National Collation Centre, Abuja on 1st March 2023 after receiving it from the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu
(2nd left).

Vice Presidential Candidate, All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Kashim Shettima (middle), assisted by his wife, Mrs Nana Shettima,
received his Certificate of Return from the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, at the National Collation Centre, Abuja on 1st March,
2023.

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Chapter 10
Conduct of the
Governorship and
State Constituency
Elections, 18th
March 2023

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10.1. Operation of the by the Commission as the elections

unfolded. A total of 91,382 vehicles were
National Situation Room used (see Table 10.1) to deploy 734,736
electoral personnel to the designated
The conduct of the Governorship and State locations. There were 28 Governorship and
Constituency elections, initially scheduled 993 State constituencies, a total of 1,021
for the 11th of March, took place on the constituencies.
18th of March 2023 in 28 states of the
Federation (8 States, namely Anambra, The early deployment of electoral personnel
Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo and Osun and materials ensured the early activation
are Off-Cycle) due to a postponement. The of the RACs and SuperRACs (table 10.2)
postponement arose due to the need for the which in turn determined that PUs opened
Commission to vacate a court order issued early (table 10.3). Therefore, accreditation
after the presidential election that stopped and voting began early, with the BVAS
the purging and reconfiguration of the operating optimally. The National Situation
BVAS in preparation for the Governorship Room also monitored threats and potential
and State Constituency elections. Just like threats to the election across the states,
in the Presidential and National Assembly providing security agencies with the nature
elections, the National Situation Room was and location of these incidents for their
the central information hub and command intervention. In states where there are IDPs,
centre for the monitoring, early warning, such as Niger, Nasarawa and a few others,
and field support for all activities related adequate measures were put in place in line
to the 18th of March exercise, from the with the Commission’s Revised Framework
deployment and receipt of non-sensitive and Regulations for Voting by Internally
and sensitive election materials, activation Displaced Persons, to enable them to
of RACs, availability of transportation and perform their civic duties. Virtually all
deployment of personnel, availability of States reported a remarkable improvement
security agents, deployment to PUs from on logistics for the 18th of March elections,
RACs/SuperRACs, accreditation, voting and leading to the early opening of PUs. Chapter
collation, as well as reverse logistics. Reports 12 provides more specific details of such
from the 28 EMSC State Secretariats across incidents and challenges across the States.
the country were received and addressed

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Table 10.1: Transportation Matrix for Election Officials for the Governorship and State Constituency Elections
A B C D E I J K L M N O P
S/N States LGA No. of No. of PUs Prov. of Prov. of Hiring of Hiring of Provision of Hiring of Hiring of Total
RA's Vehicles for Vehicles Vehicles for RA Vehicles Vehicles for Vehicles Vehicles Vehicles
Poll Officials for Supervisors. for RA Movement for LGA for LGA
(@ 12 person Reverse Collation from State Supervisors. Collation
for 14-Seater Logistics Officers HQ to LGA Officer
Bus)
1 Abia 17 184 4,062 1,439 184 184 184 17 17 17 2,042
2 Adamawa 21 226 4,104 1,454 226 226 226 21 21 21 2,195
3 A/Ibom 31 329 4,353 1,542 329 329 329 31 31 31 2,622
4 Anambra 21 326 5,720 2,026 326 326 326 21 21 21 3,067
5 Bauchi 20 212 5,423 1,921 212 212 212 20 20 20 2,617
6 Bayelsa 8 105 2,244 795 105 105 105 8 8 8 1,134
7 Benue 23 276 5,102 1,807 276 276 276 23 23 23 2,704
8 Borno 27 312 5,071 1,796 312 312 312 27 27 27 2,813
9 C/River 18 193 3,281 1,162 193 193 193 18 18 18 1,795
10 Delta 25 270 5,863 2,076 270 270 270 25 25 25 2,961
11 Ebonyi 13 171 2,946 1,043 171 171 171 13 13 13 1,595
12 Edo 18 192 4,519 1,600 192 192 192 18 18 18 2,230
13 Ekiti 16 177 2,445 866 177 177 177 16 16 16 1,445
14 Enugu 17 260 4,145 1,468 260 260 260 17 17 17 2,299
15 Gombe 11 114 2,988 1,058 114 114 114 11 11 11 1,433
16 Imo 27 305 4,758 1,685 305 305 305 27 27 27 2,681
17 Jigawa 27 287 4,522 1,602 287 287 287 27 27 27 2,544
18 Kaduna 23 255 8,012 2,838 255 255 255 23 23 23 3,672

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19 Kano 44 484 11,222 3,974 484 484 484 44 44 44 5,558

20 Katsina 34 361 6,652 2,356 361 361 361 34 34 34 3,541
21 Kebbi 21 225 3,743 1,326 225 225 225 21 21 21 2,064
22 Kogi 21 239 3,508 1,242 239 239 239 21 21 21 2,022
23 Kwara 16 193 2,887 1,022 193 193 193 16 16 16 1,649
24 Lagos 20 245 13,325 4,719 245 245 245 20 20 20 5,514
25 Nasarawa 13 147 3,256 1,153 147 147 147 13 13 13 1,633
26 Niger 25 274 4,950 1,753 274 274 274 25 25 25 2,650
27 Ogun 20 236 5,042 1,786 236 236 236 20 20 20 2,554
28 Ondo 18 203 3,933 1,393 203 203 203 18 18 18 2,056
29 Osun 30 332 3,763 1,333 332 332 332 30 30 30 2,419
30 Oyo 33 351 6,390 2,263 351 351 351 33 33 33 3,415
31 Plateau 17 207 4,989 1,767 207 207 207 17 17 17 2,439
32 Rivers 23 319 6,866 2,432 319 319 319 23 23 23 3,458
33 Sokoto 23 244 3,991 1,413 244 244 244 23 23 23 2,214
34 Taraba 16 168 3,597 1,274 168 168 168 16 16 16 1,826
35 Yobe 17 178 2,823 1,000 178 178 178 17 17 17 1,585
36 Zamfara 14 147 3,529 1,250 147 147 147 14 14 14 1,733
37 FCT-Abuja 6 62 2,822 999 62 62 62 6 6 6 1,203
Total 774 8,809 176,846 62,633 8,809 8,809 8,809 774 774 774 91,382

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10.2. Operation of the availability of security personnel for

the election, deployment, charging and
Election Monitoring and configuration of BVAS, refresher training at
Support Centre the RACs/SuperRACs, deployment to PUs
on Election Day, accreditation, voting and
The EMSC received, cross-checked, collation as well as reverse logistics. On
organized, tabulated, and channelled data the preparation and activation of RACs/
from field officers into the National Situation SuperRACs, reports indicate that 82% of
Room. Data was collected on over 650 KPIs these facilities nationwide were activated
directly related to the election, ranging from by 10:00pm on the 17th of March 2023.
the receipt, deployment and batching of non- Abia (6%) and Kano (3%) were the lowest,
sensitive/sensitive materials, arrangements but these were affected by poor reporting
for transportation and hiring of vehicles, of the data and insecurity issues. Overall,
identification, preparation and activation though, activation was high, with most
of RACs/SuperRACs, recruitment and states attaining over 90% activation rate.
availability of ad-hoc staff for deployment,

Table 10.2: RAC Preparation and Activation at 22:00hrs on Friday, 17th March
S/No State No of LGA No of RAs No of RAC RAC Activated by
Activated by 10pm 10pm in Percentage
1 Abia 17 184 11 6%
2 Adamawa 21 226 223 99%
3 Akwa Ibom 31 329 306 93%
4 Anambra 21 326 245 75%
5 Bauchi 20 212 198 93%
6 Bayelsa 8 105 104 99%
7 Benue 23 276 252 91%
8 Borno 27 312 269 86%
9 Cross River 18 193 147 76%
10 Delta 25 270 206 76%
11 Ebonyi 13 171 143 84%
12 Edo 18 192 171 89%
13 Ekiti 16 177 177 100%
14 Enugu 17 260 212 82%
15 Gombe 11 114 105 92%
16 Imo 27 305 266 87%
17 Jigawa 27 287 286 100%
18 Kaduna 23 255 255 100%
19 Kano 44 484 14 3%
20 Katsina 34 361 361 100%

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21 Kebbi 21 225 226 100%

22 Kogi 21 239 232 97%
23 Kwara 16 193 177 92%
24 Lagos 20 245 237 97%
25 Nasarawa 13 147 146 99%
26 Niger 25 274 188 69%
27 Ogun 20 236 235 100%
28 Ondo 18 203 164 81%
29 Osun 30 332 315 95%
30 Oyo 33 351 342 97%
31 Plateau 17 207 203 98%
32 Rivers 23 319 110 34%
33 Sokoto 23 244 244 100%
34 Taraba 16 168 122 73%
35 Yobe 17 178 177 99%
36 Zamfara 14 147 102 69%
Total 768 8,747 7,171 82%

10.3 Opening of Polls Day as indicated in table 10.3 below.

While voting went ahead smoothly in most
With about 82% RAC activation rate, it locations, incidents, and challenges that
was not surprising that over half of the PUs delayed the start of voting in some locations
opened by 8:30am or even earlier, with due to local conditions were noticeable.
election officials waiting for voters. Across These range from disagreements over the
the country, about 53% of the PUs opened location of PUs, BVAS malfunction, difficult
for voting by 8:30am, while 27% opened terrains, security challenges as well as late
between 8:31am and 10:00am. Only 3% deployment of vehicles.
of PUs opened after 10:10am on Election

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Table 10.3: Opening-Close of Polls and Number of Accredited Voters on Election Day
S/No State No of No of No of PUs PUs Opened
LGA RAs By 8.30am % 8.31am -10.00am % After10.00am %
1 Abia 17 184 4,062 1,717 42.27 2,207 54.33 0 0.00
2 Adamawa 21 226 4,104 2,199 53.58 1,181 28.78 28 0.68
3 Akwa Ibom 31 329 4,353 2,568 58.99 1,606 36.89 108 2.48
4 Anambra 21 326 5,720 1,906 33.32 2,071 36.21 76 1.33
5 Bauchi 20 212 5,423 4,594 84.71 671 12.37 0 0.00
6 Bayelsa 8 105 2,244 2,219 98.89 0 0.00 0 0.00
7 Benue 23 276 5,102 3,010 59.00 1,561 30.60 304 5.96
8 Borno 27 312 5,071 4,471 88.17 0 0.00 0 0.00
9 Cross River 18 193 3,281 1,151 35.08 1,864 56.81 247 7.53
10 Delta 25 270 5,863 1,979 33.75 2,059 35.12 803 13.70
11 Ebonyi 13 171 2,946 1,331 45.18 1,141 38.73 0 0.00
12 Edo 18 192 4,519 3,551 78.58 203 4.49 16 0.35
13 Ekiti 16 177 2,445 2,101 85.93 344 14.07 0 0.00
14 Enugu 17 260 4,145 212 5.11 3,755 90.59 37 0.89
15 Gombe 11 114 2,988 2,698 90.29 88 2.95 0 0.00
16 Imo 27 305 4,758 1,721 36.17 1,621 34.07 418 8.79
17 Jigawa 27 287 4,522 3,049 67.43 1,173 25.94 46 1.02
18 Kaduna 23 255 8,012 2,155 26.90 2,858 35.67 380 4.74
19 Kano 44 484 11,222 140 1.25 78 0.70 6 0.05

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20 Katsina 34 361 6,652 5,030 75.62 1285 19.32 165 2.48

21 Kebbi 21 225 3,743 3,428 91.58 255 6.81 0 0.00
22 Kogi 21 239 3,508 1,623 46.27 1843 52.54 19 0.54
23 Kwara 16 193 2887 2,067 71.60 735 25.46 23 0.80
24 Lagos 20 245 13,325 6,620 49.68 5055 37.94 1434 10.76
25 Nasarawa 13 147 3,256 1,310 40.23 1946 59.77 0 0.00
26 Niger 25 274 4,950 3,330 67.27 402 8.12 1 0.02
27 Ogun 20 236 5,042 1,741 34.53 2438 48.35 165 3.27
28 Ondo 18 203 3,933 3,595 91.41 310 7.88 0 0.00
29 Osun 30 332 3,763 3,333 88.57 271 7.20 18 0.48
30 Oyo 33 351 6,390 4,275 66.90 1391 21.77 554 8.67
31 Plateau 17 207 4,989 3,315 66.45 1272 25.50 157 3.15
32 Rivers 23 319 6,866 1,979 28.82 1321 19.24 495 7.21
33 Sokoto 23 244 3,991 3,681 92.23 240 6.01 18 0.45
34 Taraba 16 168 3,597 1,993 55.41 0 0.00 0 0.00
35 Yobe 17 178 2,823 2,247 79.60 433 15.34 0 0.00
36 Zamfara 14 147 3529 367 10.40 2714 76.91 166 4.70
Totals 768 8,747 17,4024 92,706 46,392 5,684
Compliance Percentage 53% 27% 3%

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10.4. Voting Process and 10.5. Counting, Collation

Performance of Equipment and Declaration of Result
The voting process for the governorship
Process
and state house of assembly elections on The counting, collation, and declaration
18th March 2023 was generally smooth of results were conducted across the RAs,
and orderly. Voters were able to cast their LGAs Constituency and State Collation
votes in a timely manner, and there were centres for the constituencies. Some of
no major disruptions. The Bimodal Voter the security challenges that caused delays
Accreditation System (BVAS) machines in the collation process witnessed in some
were used to verify the identity of voters states during the Presidential election such
and to record their votes. The BVAS Yobe for example, were comprehensively
machines worked properly in most polling addressed during the Governorship and
units, although there were some reports of State Constituency elections. Again, the
technical glitches. There were some delays state reports provide more details about
in the opening of polls in some polling units specific incidents such as over-voting,
due to the late arrival of election materials. malfunction of BVAS, difficult terrains,
However, these delays were relatively minor inadequate transportation and so on.
and did not significantly impact the overall On the whole though, there was a vast
process. The Bimodal Voter Accreditation improvement in terms of logistics, security,
System (BVAS) machines worked properly performance of equipment, deployment of
in most polling units. This was a major staff, and related processes in the 18th of
improvement over the previous elections, March elections across the country.
where there were widespread problems
with the use of the BVAS. There were some
reports of violence and intimidation of 10.6. Issues and
voters and election officials in some areas.
However, these reports were isolated and
Challenges
did not significantly impact the overall Many of the challenges faced during the
process. These challenges were addressed Governorship and State constituency
by INEC and its partners, and the voting elections had to do either with third party
process was generally smooth and orderly. interventions that led to late arrival of
However, it is important to continue to election officials and materials, difficult
address these challenges to ensure that terrains, incidents of insecurity, and
future elections are more credible and equipment malfunction. In the case of
transparent. equipment malfunction, challenges were
promptly addressed by designated officials.

Vote buying, violence and the intimidation

of voters at PUs as well as the snatching
of electoral materials were also noticeable

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National Commissioner, Barrister Festus Okoye (left) presents the Certificate of Return ot the Winner of the Abia State Governorship Elec-
tion and Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Alex Otti.

National Commissioner, Major General Abubakar Alkali (rtd) (left) presents the Certificate of Return to the Winner of Bauchi State Governor-
ship Election and Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bala Muhammed

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National Commissioner, Prof. Abdulahi Adbu Zuru presents the Certificate of Return to the Winner of the Kano State Governorshop Election
and Candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Engineer Abba Kabir Yusuf.

National Commissioner, Mr. Sam Olumekun mni (right) presents the Certificate of Return to the Winner of the Lagos State Governorship
Election and Candidate of the All Peoples Congress (APC), Mr. Jide Sanwo-Olu while the Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr.
Segun Agbaje (second right) and Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu watch with interest.

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challenges. These and similar issues and

challenges, with specific locations, have
been documented in chapter 12.

Chapter 11
Conduct of
Supplementary
Elections: 15th April
2023

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Supplementary elections held on 15th Clause 62 of the Regulations and Guidelines

of April 2023 in 23 states: Adamawa, for the Conduct of Elections, 2022 states
Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Edo, that ‘where the margin of lead between the
Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, two leading candidates in an election is NOT
Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Niger, Ogun, Oyo, in excess of the total number of voters who
Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara. collected their Permanent Voters’ Cards
The election was held in these states (PVCs) in polling units where elections
because the results of the initial election are postponed, voided or not held in line
were inconclusive. with Sections 24(2&3), 47(3) and 51(2)
of the Electoral Act 2022, the Returning
Officer shall decline to make a return for
11.1. Reasons for the the constituency until pols have been
Supplementary Elections conducted in the affected polling units and
the results collated into the relevant forms
The Supplementary Elections were held in for Declaration and Return.’ Known as the
the case of two (2) Governorship elections ‘Margin of Lead Principle,’ these elections
(Adamawa and Kebbi), as well as five (5) were conducted in fulfilment of this legal
Senatorial Districts (Kebbi North, Sokoto requirement for the declaration of winners
East, Sokoto North, Sokoto South and in any election. For these constituencies
Zamfara Central), 31 Federal and 58 State therefore, there were 186 LGAs, 784 RAs,
Constituencies as indicated on table 11.1 2676 PUs, 1,560,230 registered voters,
below, to determine winners since the first with 1,467,121 PVCs collected.
ballot on the 25th of February and the 18th
of March 2023 were inconclusive.

Table 11.1: Delimitation Details for the 15th of April Supplementary Election for the 2023
General Election
State SN Constituency LGAs No of No of No of Reg No of PVCs
RAs PUs Voters Collected
Adamawa 1 Governorship 20 46 69 42,785
36,935
Kebbi 2 Governorship 20 90 142 95,270 91,892
Sub-Total 40 136 211 138,055 128,827
Senatorial Election
Kebbi 1 Kebbi North SD 6 14 23 13,493 13,243
Sokoto 2 Sokoto East SD 8 34 90 48,444 48,075
3 Sokoto North SD 8 46 163 110,214 106,207
4 Sokoto South SD 7 44 134 82,561 78,165
Zamfara 5 Zamfara Central SD 4 20 83 50,244 46,056

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Sub-Total 33 158 493 304,956 291,746

Federal Constituency Election
Akwa 1 Abak /Etim Ekpo/ 3 8 25 14,696 13,705
Ibom Ika FC
2 Ikono/Ini FC 2 9 34 18,845 17,051
Anambra 3 Ogbaru FC 1 6 45 22,473 21,357
Bayelsa 4 Southern Ijaw FC 1 8 32 8,346 8,225
Edo 5 Orhionmwon/ 2 6 48 23,443 23,147
Uhunmwode FC
Imo 6 Mbaitoli/ Ikeduru 2 13 58 33,785 33,176
FC
Kano 7 Fagge FC 1 6 19 14,086 12,392
8 Tudun Wada FC 1 8 13 7,465 7,298
Kebbi 9 Arewa/Dandi FC 2 6 7 4,039 3975
10 Koko Besse- 2 7 10 5,796 5,718
Maiyama FC
Kogi 11 Dekina/Bassa FC 1 8 44 26,050 25,326
Oyo 12 Ibadan NE/Ibadan 2 2 2 971 767
SE FC
13 Oluyole FC 1 2 2 3,014 2,869
Rivers 14 Khana/Gokana FC 1 2 42 18,037 17,408
15 Port Harcourt II FC 1 10 377 195,945 171,756
Sokoto 16 Binji/Silame FC 2 10 23 15,003 14,882
17 Bodinga/Dange 3 19 54 28,647 27,908
Shuni/Tureta FC
18 Kware/Wamakko FC 2 11 49 29,002 28,231
19 Gada/Goronyo 2 13 46 24,691 24,542
20 Gwadabawa/Illela 2 7 12 7,135 6,916
FC
21 Isa/Sabo Birni FC 2 8 13 6,987 6,521
22 Rabah/Wurno FC 2 6 19 10,743 10,474
23 Sokoto North/ 2 19 85 61,854 58,573
Sokoto South FC
24 Gudu/Tanganza FC 2 6 6 4,355 4,303
25 Kebbe/Tambuwal 2 13 54 33,679 33,346
FC
26 Yabo/Shagari FC 2 12 26 14,769 13,987
Taraba 27 Takum/Ussa/Donga 2 7 79 50,973 44,374
FC

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Zamfara 28 Gusau/Tsafe FC 2 14 64 40,522 38,529

29 Gummi/Bukkuyum 2 4 7 4,566 4,213
FC
Jigawa 30 Gumel/Maigatari/ 2 4 6 4,701 4,441
Sule Tankarkar/
Gagarawa FC
Ebonyi 31 Ezza North/Ishielu 1 3 35 17,470 17,436
FC
Sub-Total 55 257 1336 752,088 702,846
State Constituency Election
A/Ibom 1 Etim Ekpo/Ika SC 2 14 32 19,140 17,614
Bayelsa 2 Ogbia II SC 1 4 94 34,273 33,781
Ebonyi 3 Afikpo South-East 1 3 7 3,333 3,124
SC
4 Ezza South SC 1 6 10 5,683 5,649
5 Ikwo North SC 1 5 7 2,053 2,028
6 Afikpo North-West 1 3 5 3,146 3,325
SC
7 Abakaliki North SC 1 2 6 2,647 2,211
Edo 8 Oredo East SC 1 4 29 17,091 12,850
9 Egor SC 1 4 26 15,416 12,586
10 Ovia South-West SC 1 1 13 6,764 6,734
Ekiti 11 Ido Osi I SC 1 1 3 1,641 1,609
Imo 12 Ahiazu Mbaise SC 1 3 9 7,760 7,269
Kaduna 13 Chawai/Kauru SC 1 2 2 1,045 1,045
14 Giwa West SC 1 2 2 1,291 1,283
15 Ikara SC 1 8 13 7,159 7,129
16 Sanga SC 1 4 8 5,006 5,006
17 Kudan SC 1 6 25 13,020 12,831
Kano 18 Ajingi SC 1 5 8 4,921 4,155
19 Danbatta SC 1 7 81 42,435 41,221
20 Dawaki Tofa SC 1 5 8 5,347 4,977
21 Garko SC 1 2 3 2,215 2,164
22 Gabasawa SC 1 3 5 3,757 3,745
23 Gaya SC 1 3 4 1,943 1,923
24 Gezawa SC 1 4 5 3,288 3,253
25 Gwarzo SC 1 6 7 5,175 4,355
26 Makoda SC 1 6 12 6,521 6,442

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27 Takai SC 1 3 5 3,685 3,639

28 Tudun Wada SC 1 4 19 9,737 9,426
29 Ungogo SC 1 6 11 11,054 10,502
30 Warawa SC 1 3 5 2,184 2,138
31 Wudil SC 1 3 4 3,259 2,461
Kebbi 32 Arewa SC 1 2 2 1,569 1,558
33 Augie SC 1 3 5 2,600 2,575
34 Gwandu SC 1 7 17 8,744 8,436
35 Jega SC 1 8 13 9,345 9,172
36 Kalgo SC 1 3 4 4,103 3,986
37 Koko Besse SC 1 4 4 3,471 3,471
38 Maiyama SC 1 6 14 7,671 7,513
39 Sakaba SC 1 5 7 4,192 3,970
Niger 40 Agaie SC 1 5 7 5,125 4,996
41 Rijau SC 1 1 3 1,787 1,497
42 Agwara SC 1 2 2 2,260 976
43 Rafi SC 1 3 3 2,247 2,236
Ogun 44 Ifo I SC 1 1 1 1,848 1,596
Taraba 45 Karim Lamido II SC 1 3 3 1,504 1,504
Yobe 46 Geidam North SC 1 2 2 2,632 2,338
Jigawa 47 Birnin Kudu SC 1 4 6 4,705 4,578
48 Dutse SC 1 5 7 3,834 3,818
49 Yankwashi SC 1 3 7 5,403 5,394
Katsina 50 Kankia SC 1 5 6 3,439 3,412
51 Kankara SC 1 9 17 11,008 10,986
52 Kurfi SC 1 6 8 5,046 5,037
Enugu 53 Oji River SC 1 1 1 2,489 1,867
Adamawa 54 Girei SC 1 5 7 5,413 5,035
55 Gombi SC 1 3 5 2,961 2947
56 Numan SC 1 2 14 7,805 7,357
57 Toungo SC 1 3 3 1,941 972
Sub-Total 58 233 636 356,131 343,702
Total 156 784 2676 1,560,230 1,467,121

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11.2. Deployment of 11.4. Voting Process and

Personnel and Materials Performance of Equipment
The conduct of the supplementary elections Voting started across the 2676 PUs on
across the 23 States saw the Commission time, and equipment performed excellently.
deploying 11, 961 staff as well as 1,946 None of the backup systems reserved for
vehicles. Electoral personnel and materials eventualities across locations was deployed
were successfully deployed to locations as in the supplementary election.
the 784 RACs were successfully activated
as scheduled. Similarly, due to the smooth
activation of the RACs, deployment to the 11.5. Counting, Collation
PUs was early, meaning voting started quite and Declaration of Results
on schedule.
Processes
11.3. Opening of Polls Counting, collation and declaration took
place at the designated places from PUs to
These early beginnings allowed voters the various constituencies across the states.
ample time to exercise their franchise
and significantly contributed to a smooth,
orderly, and transparent electoral process.
11.6. Issues and
Challenges
Challenges for the supplementary election
across the states revolved around logistic
issues, particularly difficulties with transport
providers, security issues, and difficult
terrains. These issues were promptly
addressed by the Commission.

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Chapter 12
Reports from the
State and FCT
Offices

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12.1 Introduction complement of administrative structures to

the Local Government level, required by the
Commission for the exercise and discharge
For administrative convenience, the of its constitutional powers and functions.
Commission categorised the 36 states and In the sections that follow, an account is
the Federal Capital Territory into 6 zones given of the preparations and conduct of
viz: North-Central, North-East, North-West, the 2023 GE from each of the State Offices
South-East, South-South, and South-West. across the country within the context of the
The North-Central has 6 states plus the Commission’s 2023 EPP. A summary of the
FCT; North-East 6, North-West 7, South- overall delimitation data for all the Six(6)
East 5, South-South 6 and South-West 6 geopolitical zones is as shown in Table
states. Each State Office, as well as the FCT, 12.1, while the summary that precedes
has a Resident Electoral Commissioner, the narration of each geo-political zone is
an Administrative Secretary, and a full shown in Table 12.2 to Table 12.6.

Table 12.1: Delimitation Data by Geo-political Zones

Geo-political LGA SD FC SC RA PU Reg. Voters PVCs Km2

Zones Collected

North-Central 121 19 51 156 1,398 27,514 15,363,731 14,603,621 242,425

North-East 112 18 48 156 1,210 24,006 12,542,429 11,937,769 272,395

North-West 186 21 92 216 2,003 41,671 22,255,562 21,445,000 216,065

South-East 95 15 43 129 1,246 21,631 10,907,606 10,401,484 29,525

South-South 123 18 55 160 1408 27,126 14,440,714 13,284,920 84,587

South-West 137 18 71 176 1,544 34,898 17,958,966 15,536,213 79,665

Total 774 109 360 993 8,809 176,846 9,3469,008 87,209,007 924,662

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12.2. North-Central Zone

Introduction
The North-Central zone comprises of the The zone has a landmass of 242,425 km2,
FCT and the following States: Benue, Kogi, with 121 LGAs, 19 Senatorial Districts, 51
Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau. Federal and 156 State Constituencies, 1,398
RAs, and 27,514 PUs. The total number of
registered voters stood at 15,138,280 while
14,268,329 PVCs were collected as shown
in table 12.1 below.

Table 12.2: Delimitation Data for the North-Central Zone on State-by-State Basis

S/N State LGA/LC SD FC SC RA PU Reg. Voters PVCs Km2

Collection
1 Benue 23 3 11 32 276 5,102 2,777,727 2,607,141 34,059

2 FCT 6 1 2 - 62 2,822 1570307 1476451 7,315

3 Kogi 21 3 9 25 239 3,508 1,932,654 1,813,741 29,833

4 Kwara 16 3 6 24 193 2,887 1,695,927 1,537,275 36,825

5 Nasarawa 13 3 5 24 147 3,256 1,899,244 1,847,752 27,117

6 Niger 25 3 10 27 274 4,950 2,698,344 2,633,728 76,363

7 Plateau 17 3 8 24 207 4,989 2,789,528 2,687,533 30,913

Total 121 19 51 156 1,398 27,514 15,363,731 14,603,621 242,425

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12.2.1.
Benue State Prof. Samuel G. Egwu
Resident Electoral Commissioner, Benue State
Capital City: Makurdi

Delimitation Data

23 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
11 Federal
Constituencies
32 State
Constituencies

276
No of RAs
5,102
No of PUs
2,777,727
No of Registered
Voters
2,607,142
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction the Commission. The INEC Strategic Plan,

2022-206, the Strategic Plan of Action
Benue state, created in 1976, is in the and the Election Project Plan provided the
North-Central geo-political zone with an overarching guide to the implementation of
area of 34,059 km. It has an estimated key activities leading to the election. The
population of 4,253,641, made up of 23 State Election Management Committee
LGAs, 276 RAs, 5,102 PUs and 2,777,727 drawn from the management team in
registered voters. The number of PUs and the state office steered the planning and
registered voters in the state increased by implementation of such activities including
1,414 and 297, 596 respectively in 2023 transportation and logistics, personnel
general election. This is a result of the recruitment and training, electoral material
creation of additional units following the storage and distribution, publicity, and
expansion of voter access to polling units election monitoring, among others. The
and the CVR carried out between July State Election Management Committee
2021 and July 2022. A total of 2, 607, 142 committees chaired by the Resident
PVCs, representing 93.7 collection rate Electoral Commissioner and assisted by
were collected in the state. the Administrative Secretary, further
established various sub-committees which
Pre-Election Activities undertook the state’s needs assessment
for the successful conduct of the election
Pre-election activities were carried out as well as the state of readiness based on
within the framework of the Electoral Cycle which the state office engaged with the
Approach (ECA) which has been adopted by relevant departments and the Supervising

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National Commissioner for the state. the 28th of June 2021 and continued until
31st July 2022. The State recorded a total of
Similar Committees were set up at the 297,596 new registered voters at the end
LGA level to enable accurate and realistic of the exercise. However, the remarkable
assessment of the state of area offices achievement of the state in this direction
including storage facilities to determine their was made possible because of the extensive
suitability for the election. Such assessment sensitisation of the electorates through the
reports informed recommendations made radio, television, street/market outreach,
to the headquarters of the Commission that among others, to create awareness for the
led to award of contracts for the renovation people to collect their PVCs. In addition,
of three state area offices. The coordination the state office enjoyed the tremendous
of the activities of the committees at the support of relevant government agencies,
state office and the area offices contributed especially the NOA whose personnel
to determining the status of printers in made joint appearances with staff of VEP
the ICT Department preparatory for the Department on numerous radio and other
printing of Voter registers; the number awareness creation platforms.
and functionality of the Bimodal Voter
Accreditation System (BVAS) to determine As directed from time to time, the state
the shortfalls, and identification ICT office devolved PVC collection exercise from
compliant ad-hoc personnel during the the Area Offices to the Registration Area
recruitment exercise to be engaged for all level which led to remarkable improvement
the polling units in the state for the purposes in the PVCs collection rates across the
of handling the BVAS. state. The Commission took advantage of
the initiative to devolve PVCs collection
Furthermore, the operational vehicles of to the RAs to move into IDP camps spread
the Commission that were serviceable across six Local Government Areas of the
were assessed and the estimates for their state greater number of displaced voters to
repairs and servicing were forwarded to collect their PVCs.
headquarters. Fund was subsequently
released by the Commission for the repairs Recruitment, Training and
of these vehicles ahead of the election. Deployment of Electoral Personnel
The repaired vehicles were immediately
deployed for the distribution of materials The state office aligned with the policy
to the LGA. Many of those vehicles were decision of the Commission to leverage
subsequently attached to the Electoral on technology in the recruitment of all
Officers for the two sets of election. categories of ad hoc staff except for
the Collation Officers to insulate the
Conduct of CVR and PVC Collection process from undue human interference.
Exercise Consequently, all the candidates interested
in working for the Commission in the
The Benue State office of the Commission categories of Presiding Officers and Assistant
vigorously implemented the Continuous Presiding Officers (POs, APOs I, APOs II and
Voter Registration (CVR) which started on
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APOs III) and Supervisory Presiding Officers of Supervisory Presiding Officers; training
(SPOs) were encouraged to apply through of Presiding and Assistant Presiding officers
the platform called INECPRES, hosted at for management of voting processes and
the Headquarters of the Commission in procedure at the Polling units; and refresher
Abuja. It is important to point out that training of categories of Ad-hoc staff in
the Commission specifically focused on the aftermath of postponed governorship
NYSC members and students of Federal election1. Others include training of
owned Tertiary Institutions in the state. The technical officers for BVAS management,
Office of the Chairman of the Commission and Security Training at State and Zonal
working together with the leadership of the levels. At the end of these training exercises,
Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, selection of ad-hoc personnel was based
determined the Collation Officers. on merit and competences exhibited by
the applicants in the competency tests
The training of the state officers of the that were conducted. However, the
Commission and ad hoc staff was carried out state Collation/Returning Officer for the
through the Commission’s partnership with Presidential and Gubernatorial elections,
IFES and other International Agencies like Professor Farouk Kuta, Vice-Chancellor
the UNDP, DAI and others, who organised of the Federal University of Science and
series of training programmes for various Technology, Minna, was appointed from the
categories of staff of the Commission. These headquarters and deployed to the State.
included, but not limited to: - INECPRESS
Workshop, 27th October,2022; Voter Party Primaries and Nomination
education training for voter education desk Process
officers 25th October 2022 to 26th October
2022; Election Technology and Capacity Out of the 18 (eighteen) registered political
building training 12th – 14th December parties in the country, seventeen (17)
2022; Election Security personnel training fielded candidates for the various positions
6th July 2022. Media training for Heads of conducted primaries except for BOOTH
VEPs and Public Affairs Officers; EMSC party. However, it was generally observed
training; RACTECs training (21st to 22nd that the dates, times, and venues provided
February 2023); and CSRVS training (17th to to the State Office for monitoring of their
19th February 2023). primaries were changed at will, thereby
confusing the Commission. Nevertheless,
On its part, The Electoral Institute (TEI), the department monitored all party
organised series of training for election primaries regardless of whether notices
personnel who were to be engaged were received.
for the 2023 General Election. These
trainings, some of supervised by INECPRES It was observed that apart from the
officials included root training for NYSC All-Progressives Congress (APC) which
members focusing on voting processes and conducted direct primaries, all the other
procedures on Election Day; training of sixteen (16) political parties opted for
Collation and Returning Officers; training indirect primaries, using delegates/elected

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among party members at the various party 23rd October 20023; stakeholders meeting
structures in ward, local government, and with women NGOs and CSOs to discuss
the state. Consequently, the adoption inclusive elections on 11th November 2023;
of consensus candidates characterised and engagements with serving youth corps
most of the primary elections monitored members in the state to discuss their roles
by the EPM department in the state. In a in conducting the 2023 general election.
few instances staffs were sent from the Other stakeholders’ meetings involved the
headquarters to join the State team in the Road Transport Workers’ Union (NURTW)
monitoring exercise. The common issues and the National Association of Road
of concern observed during the primaries, Transport Owners’ Union (NARTO) to
included: non-adherence to dates/venues clarify the MoU between the unions and the
and time frames as fixed by political parties Commission and series of meetings with the
for their primaries; late commencement media institutions in the state and meetings
of primaries, which made their monitoring with the political parties and candidates on
difficult by state and headquarters monitors; inspection of electoral materials the Central
non-provision of the necessary documents Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
like delegates lists, agenda, contestants’
lists, guidelines, party’s constitution to the A substantial part of the stakeholders’
monitors; and occurrence of skirmishes meetings was held in IDP camps. In the
which took place at some party primaries period leading to the election, Benue
which however did not prevent the conduct State was designated as IDP voting state
of the primaries. considering that IDPs in camps were spread
across six LGAs in the state because of
Stakeholder Engagements combination of factors including farmer/
herder conflict, cult-related activities and
It is unthinkable that elections can be banditry /kidnapping. The affected LGAs
conducted with integrity and peacefully Makurdi, Gwer West, Guma, Kwande, Logo,
without engagements with critical Kastina-Ala and Logo, all of which had a
stakeholders in the electoral process for large number of IDPs. Several stakeholders’
purposes of building public confidence meetings were held in these LGAs in
and trust. Consequently, in the build- line with the Revised Regulations and
up to the 2023 General Election in the framework for voting by IDPs released by
state, different stakeholders’ meetings the Commission in the 3rd quarter of 2022
were convened both at the state and LGA to identify safe places for voting. The series
levels to discuss divergent electoral issues of stakeholders’ engagement focused on
of concern. Among others, there were safe voting corridors for IDPs and collection
stakeholders’ engagements with political of their PVCs.
parties and candidates to sign pact on
peaceful electioneering campaigns with
security agencies in attendance held on
5th October 2022; meeting with the ICCES
members to discuss election security on

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Recruitment, Training and Preparations for Elections

Deployment of Ad-hoc Personnel Receipt, Storage and Deployment
of Sensitive and Non-Sensitive
The Commission extended its innovation Materials
to the recruitment of ad hoc personnel in
the 2023 General Election by mounting a Prior to the election, the state undertook
recruitment portal, INECPRESS. All eligible a stock-taking exercise at the State and at
candidates for the different categories of ad the LGA Offices to determine the state of
hoc staff apart from Collation and COs and non-sensitive materials to determine the
ROs applied through the platform. The POs, shortfall in terms of what were required
APOs, SPOs and RAC Managers were short- to conduct a successful general election.
listed from the data of applicants from the Similarly, the State Office assessed the
INECPRESS, and shortfalls were made for, storage facilities in the office and in the
through making available application forms 23 LGAs to determine the space as well as
downloaded from the INECPRESS. The state the functionality of the Air-Cooling system,
Office short-listed candidates for SPOs and especially considering the sensitivity of the
RAC Managers, while the EOs handled the BVAS. This exercise informed the request
short-listing and vetting of POs and APOs. made to the headquarters to address the
The COs and ROs were identified through shortfalls identified and for funding to put
the Vice-Chancellor of the Joseph Sarwuan in place complementary facilities that were
Tarka Federal University, Makurdi. required. The improvement in the storage
facilities enabled the Commission to receive
The trainings were coordinated between and store the non-sensitive materials in
the State Office of the Commission and TEI, the batches they were supplied from the
with the APOs and APOs trained by the Headquarters. On receipt, they were kept
SPOs who had earlier been trained. Similarly, in the available makeshift storage facilities
the COs and ROs were trained with the in the State Office before being moved to
support of the STO and the relevant staff of the various LGAs in the state.
Operations Department with the support of
the ICT Department. Based on final selection The sensitive materials supplied from the
made, persons eligible for deployment headquarters of the Commission, especially
were given contracts of appointment and the Ballot papers and result sheets were
subjected to Oath of secrecy. Deployment directly delivered to the Central Bank of
to places of assignment was undertaken Nigeria (CBN) where they were securely
by the NURTW and the vehicles mobilized stored until the election as it has become
by the state office from different Federal the tradition. On the Thursday preceding
Government agencies, including the Police the elections, while the political parties
and the Nigerian Airforce. were around for the verification of the
materials before being moved to the LGAs,
the INEC logistics team was on ground to
facilitate the verification of the materials

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by the political parties, and to undertake and lightening of classrooms, GP tanks to

the sorting and distribution of the sensitive ensure availability of water, sleeping mats,
materials before they were distributed to toiletries, and buckets.
the 23 LGAs. This was the case for both
the Presidential/National Assembly and Logistics Preparation
Governorship/State Assembly elections.
Given the customised nature of the sensitive The logistics for deployment of election
materials, Electoral Officers were invited personnel and materials was anchored
to be physically present in the inspection. on the review of the Memorandum
This method enabled the logistics team to of Understanding (MoU) between the
identify shortages, mix-ups and printing Commission and the two major transport
errors which were subsequently reported Unions –NARTO, NURTW and the MWUN
to the headquarters. which formally become a part of the MoU in
preparation for the 2023 general election.
The sensitive and non-sensitive materials Despite the late finalisation of agreement
stored in the LGA offices were subsequently in terms of payments for vehicles and boats
deployed to the various super RACs and arising from the reluctance of the unions
RACs and subsequently, from where they to accept the prices offered in the 2019
were deployed to the various polling general election, series of discussions with
units in the state. The engagement of the unions involving the EOs, FRSC and
RAC managers in the election assisted in the security agencies resulted in reaching
the safe keeping of these materials at the agreement at the end of the day. It was on
RACs. Special attention was given to the this basis that these unions provided buses,
sensitive materials, which were shared in trucks, and boats for the movement of men
the presence of critical stakeholders like and materials for the election purpose.
political party agents, security, international Additionally, the Commission engaged the
and domestic observers, the media etc. services of motorcycle riders popularly
known as ‘Okada’, through their leadership
Identification, Preparation and to facilitate the movement of personnel
Activation of RACs and SRACs and materials to difficult terrains that
could not be accessed by motor vehicles.
Before the elections, the Electoral Officers The deployment of vehicles including the
were directed to go round their various operational vehicles of the Commission,
LGAs of jurisdiction to review the location motorcycles and boats was informed by
of RACs and Super RACs. The exercise the submissions of the EOs based on the
informed the decision by the Commission peculiarities of their terrain.
to make funds available to the EOs to
procure additional items to augment the
materials sent from the headquarters to
make the Super RACs and RACs suitable and
conducive for election purpose. Some of
the materials provided were support wiring

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Conduct of the Elections ensure compliance with the regulations and

guidelines for the conduct of the elections.
(25th February and 18th The activity of the monitoring team was
March) Opening of Polls guided by a check-list designed for the
purpose focusing on critical benchmarks
Generally, polls opened in the Presidential such as opening of polls, functionality of the
and National Assembly elections and the BVAS, security, activation of RACs, conduct
governorship and State Houses of Assembly of personnel/officials etc.
elections, the exception being late opening
of polls in a few local governments in Configuration and Deployment of
the first election due to minor logistical Accreditation Device
challenges. This was largely attributable to
successful deployment of election materials In the count down to the election, as
and personnel from the LGA offices to the directed by the Commission, the state
RACs on Fridays preceding the elections. office conducted mock accreditation in
Early opening of polls and the optimum designated polling units across twelve
performance of the BVAS machines as LGAs in the state to assure the voting
well the implementation of simultaneous public of the functionality of the BVAS
accreditation and voting accountable for machine which was the backbone of
the overall success of the elections. the credibility of the election. Following
the success of the exercise, the ICT/
Monitoring, Implementation and VR Department carried out its core
Support for Field Activities functions of printing the voter register,
activation, installation, and configuration
Just before the Presidential/National of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation
Assembly election in the state, the System (BVAS). The Department printed
Electoral Operations Support Centre the Electronic Voter Registers (EVR) and
(EOSC) conducted an in-house training sent to the local government areas weeks
of the relevant personnel to adequately before the election. In the same manner,
equip them on the importance of the BVAS were configured and deployed to the
EOSC in conducting election with integrity. Local Government Areas in the week of the
This enabled the EOSC team to deploy election. Again, following the rescheduled
the monitoring and implementation State Assembly Election in Kwande Local
techniques developed by the Commission Government, Technical personnel were
in tracking pre-election and election field deployed for reconfiguration of BVAS for
activities. In addition, the state monitoring the election a day before it was held on the
team comprising of REC, Administrative 21st of March 2023.
Secretary, HODs and some senior staff in the
state office was assigned the responsibility Deployment of Personnel and
of monitoring the conduct of the election Materials
on the Election Day. They were posted
to the various federal constituencies to Having deployed the non-sensitive

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materials to the 23 LGAs in the state almost twenty one of the twenty-three state
two weeks before the election dates, the constituencies. However, there was a major
Commission waited until Wednesday to challenge in the election arising from the
begin with the deployment of sensitive refusal of stakeholders in Kwande Local
materials to the LGAs. Movement of the Area to vote, because of a mix-up in the
sensitive materials to the RACs and eventual labelling of the results sheets for Kwande
distribution of materials to the SPOs took East and Kwande West state constituencies
place on the Friday of the election week. at a time voting had commenced in the
The deployment of personnel was also done Local Government. Although there were
in cognisance of the expected time of the no issues with the ballot papers and results
opening of polls. All Supervisory Presiding sheets for the governorship election,
Officer were expected to assemble at the they resisted the conduct of both the
INEC offices early on the eve of elections governorship and State Assembly elections.
to collect materials for their various As it turned out, because of the margin
Registration Areas and move to their RACs, of lead, the result of the governorship
where they spent the night with POs and election was declared without votes from
APOs and conducted refresher training. Kwande Local Government. However, the
timely intervention of the Commission in
Conduct of the Elections reprinting the results sheets for the two
state constituencies made it possible for the
(25th February and 18th State Office to re-mobilise for the election
March 2023) on 21st March.

The Presidential and National Assembly Opening of Polls

elections were successfully held on the 25th
of February 2023, as scheduled, collated, The State achieved early and prompt opening
and sent the National Collation Centre in of polls across the 23 LGAs by 8.30am at
Abuja where the result of the Presidential an estimated 85% success rate on 25th
election was announced. The Governorship February in the Presidential and National
and State Assembly elections scheduled to Assembly elections with improvement
hold on 11th March 2023, was postponed of 95% success rate in the Governorship
to 18th March by the Commission because and State Assembly elections. The minor
of the need to vacate a court order issued problems of logistics which caused delay
after the Presidential election to the effect in the commencement of polls in a few
that the Commission could not proceed LGAs during the Presidential / National
to purge and reconfigure the BVAS for Assembly elections were addressed in the
the governorship election as that could Governorship/State Assembly elections on
affect their challenge to the outcome of 18th March.
that election. The governorship and State
Assembly elections were consequently
held on the 18th of March, and the
results declared for the governorship and

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Voting Process and Performance of and return was made for some Federal
Equipment Constituency elections. The final collation
for the presidential election was done at
The polling procedures adopted in the the state level before the results were
state strictly complied with the Continuous forwarded to Abuja for final collation for
Accreditation and Voting System (CAVS) declaration and return.
as prescribed by the Commission and
encapsulated in the manual for election For the Gubernatorial/State Assembly
officials (2023). The accreditation process elections the same process was followed,
was also in strict adherence to the use of except that declaration and return was
Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). made for the state constituencies at the
For the Presidential/National Assembly various State Constituencies whereas the
election, 5,120 BVAS were deployed to the final collation for Governorship election
field. Same number was deployed during was done at the collation centre in the state
the Gubernatorial/State House of Assembly office where declaration and return were
election. However, ten (10) BVAS were made. All collated results were carefully
declared as missing/damaged because of arranged and kept for further reference.
pockets of violence. It is important to note
the Bimodal Voter Accreditation systems Operation of the Situation Room
were sufficiently charged and backups and Election Monitoring and
were also provided to forestall unforeseen Support Centre
malfunctioning. Additionally, trained
RATECHs were handy to fix malfunctioning The EMSC functioned optimally in the
BVAS, which contributed to the high rate of tracking and monitoring of the pre-
functioning of the BVAS. As noted earlier, election, Election Day and post-election
Benue State had many IDPs resulting from activities including the collation of results.
a number of security threats spread across Furthermore, using the reverse logistics
six LGAs. methodology, deployed materials were
retrieved after the first round of election to
Implementation of Collation and prepare for the next round. At the end of
Results Management Process the elections, electoral materials that were
not consumables were retrieved from the
In all the elections conducted in the state, field and kept at LGA Offices and the State
there was a plan for the collation of results, Office.
which was handled by the Collation Officers
engaged as ad-hoc staff. In the Presidential/ The state EOSC team was made up of
National Assembly elections, collations of fifteen (15) personnel, comprising of twelve
results started at the Registration Area by (12) field assets, two (2) Data administrators
the Registration Area Collation Officers and One (1) state coordinator. To enable
followed by the second level of Collation by the EOSC capture all activities on the
the Local Government Collation Officers, field, its operations were activated in the
where in some instances declaration early afternoon of the eve of the election

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to capture the movement of materials and which some PUs did not have presence
personnel to the RACs. The field assets of security personnel.
were responsible for making direct contacts,
using cells phones, electoral field officials to iii. Inadequate and late supply of training
get direct feedback on the situation from materials to the state. For example,
field. Such information from the field on less than six thousand (6,000) election
threats, compliances or challenges were manual used for training was supplied
then passed the two data administrators, to the state as against twenty-two,
and the information helped the Commission thousand-eight-hundred and sixteen
to take decisive and informed decisions for (22,816) required. Furthermore, nine
proper execution of the election. thousand (9,000) of the training manuals
arrived days after the training.
Issues and Challenges Associated
with the Elections iv. Lack of due diligence in the printing and
coding of election materials detected
While it is strongly noted that that the in Kwande LGA which resulted to the
2023 general election was successful in the rescheduling of the election. The two
state, without alarming reports of violence state constituencies in Kwande LGA
and disruption of the electoral process, were reported to have the same code
there were pockets of challenges that have and name instead of Kwande –East and
been identified for purposes of lessons Kwande –West.
learned. One exception was the shooting
of a political thug by the Army in Gboko v. Restriction of the recruitment of
LGA, while attempting to snatch a ballot collation officers to the existing Federal
box which resulted in death. The challenges University in the state undermined the
identified are as follows: power of the state to make up from
other institutions most especially in
i. There were a number of activities that the situations where the number was
are hampered by the reality of over inadequate.
centralisation. For example, tags that
were printed for polling agents after vi. Late Implementation of some pre-
they were uploaded by the political election activities: There were a number
parties to INEC Headquarters reached of activities especially trainings for
the state office less that one week with the staff of the Commission that were
severe shortfalls to the extent that they conducted too close to elections, some
were not enough for appointed polling requiring staff to travel outside the state
agents. two or three days to the election.

ii. ii. Inadequate deployment of security vii. Inadequate budgeting: Budgeting for
personnel at the PUs. While the official critical activities merely reproduced the
deployment of security personnel was budgets for the 2019 elections. This was
two per PU, there many instances in noticeable in respect of the budget for

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

printing of EVR and the transportation that raised issues of value for money for
of materials from the state office to the the Commission.
23 LGAs.

viii.Poor procurement performance as

evident in the supply of obsolete items

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

12.2.2.
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Yahaya Bello
Capital City: Abuja Resident Electoral Commissioner, FCT

Delimitation Data

6 No of
LGAs 1 Senatorial
Districts
2 Federal
Constituencies
- State
Constituencies

62
No of RAs
2,822
No of PUs
1,344,856
No of Registered
Voters
1,249,017
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction facilities, the available non-sensitive

materials to determine shortfall, the number
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is located of BVAS in the office and the assessment
within the North-Central Geo-Political of the state of vehicles for purposes of
Zone and is Nigeria’s capital. It is the only providing the Commission with the extent
administrative area where the Commission of repairs needed to be carried out for the
conducts Local Council elections. With a transportation of election personnel and
landmass of 7, 315 km, FCT has 6 LCs, 62 materials. Furthermore, the Committee,
RAs, 2,822 PUs and 1,344, 856 registered relying on the framework and tools available
voters, with the total number of PVCs including the Strategic Plan, 2022-2026,
collected standing at 1,249,017 PVCs. the Plan of Action and the EPP, worked out
a comprehensive plan for the conduct of the
election and circulated the plan to ensure
Pre-Election Activities that all categories of staff understood the
task ahead.
Management Meetings
Several activities implemented by the
Under the guidance of the FCT Resident Commission in FCT derived from the
Electoral Commissioner and the implementation of the election plan. Some
Management Team comprising the Heads of these include the post-election review
of Department, the Election Management meeting on the FCT Area Council elections
Committee undertook several activities which was held at the Bolingo Hotel on
that contributed to the success of the 28th April 2022 to learn necessary lessons
2023 general election. These included in the build-up to the general election. This
undertaking the assessment of the storage was complemented with Election Project

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Implementation Plan (#Yourvotematters) Recruitment, Training and

meeting that held at the Emerson Hall, Deployment of Staff
Bolton White Hotel, Abuja, on 12 December
2022. Recruitment for the general election
commenced with the launch of the online
Conduct of CVR and PVCs recruitment portal (INECPRES) on the
Collection 14 September 2022, which requested
applicants to apply for positions with
The Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) the required qualifications. Following
which started on the 28th of June 2021 the closure of application deadline,
and continued until 31st July 2022 was the short-listing and screening of the
faithfully implemented in FCT based on candidates, the Commission organised
guidance and periodic directives from the several training activities. These include six
Commission Headquarters. The CVR and weeks root training conducted for corps
PVC collection activities of the Commission members (NYSC) during their Community
considered the peculiarities of the nation’s Development Service (CDS) in the six (6)
capital and Abuja in particular. First, is the Area councils to get them acquainted with
high rate of urbanisation experienced in the electoral procedures and processes
Abuja over the years which has ensured as well as in-house trainings for staff in
the proliferation of new settlements and the six (6) Area Councils. As mandated
estates. This, for example, has led to the by the Commission, security training was
creation of new polling units based on conducted for security personnel during
expansion of voter access policy which which staff from the Legal Department drew
necessitated the creation of new polling their attention to the need to secure election
units. There is also the need to embark on within the context of the fundamental rights
wide publicity considering the perceived of citizens. In addition, training was carried
lukewarm attitude of Nigerian elites to out for the SPOs at designated places in
electoral activities. The Commission in FCT FCT on 9 and 10 of February 2023. While
relied on strategic partnership with media the SPOs facilitated the training of the POs
houses such as the Federal Government- and APOs, Collation Officers were trained
owned radio, Kapital FM 92.9, for weekly for two days at the University of Abuja build
sensitisation programme, and a 13-week their knowledge on collation processes and
sensitisation programme run concurrently procedures for the 2023 elections.
by both the Eagles F.M (102.3) and Hot
FM 98.3 to create public awareness.
Consequently, CVR and PVC collection Based on RACS and super RACS as well
which were carried out alongside voter as Collation Centres earlier identified and
migration were a great success in the FCT. inspected to ascertain suitability for the
Specifically, for PVCs collection, a total of elections, it was easy to undertake timely
1,249,017 were collected, while 299,936 deployment of men and materials to their
PVCs remained uncollected. various polling units on Election Day as
well as ensure timely commencement of

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

polls. In the meantime, RAC Managers recognised challenges such as voter apathy,
working together with the EOs provided crowded polling units to ensure that voters
the facilities and consumables required to have adequate information about their new
ease the activities needed to be undertaken polling units and related challenges identified
at the RACS including refresher training. from the previous elections. The range of
This made it possible to activate the RACS/ stakeholders engaged in the countdown to
Super RACS early on the Fridays preceding the 2023 general election in FCT include
the elections. It is important to observe leaders of the political parties, civil society,
that the SPOs carried out their stipulated religious and traditional leaders, women,
responsibilities such as roll call, payment of and gender based CSOs. The Commission
feeding allowances and other stipends to in FCT recognise the collaborative efforts
ad hoc staff and security agents. of YIAGA Africa and other CSOs during
the CVR and PVC collection exercise in
Party Primaries and Nomination the same way that collaboration with the
Process International Foundation for Electoral
Systems (IFESS) contributed to the work of
While all the 18 political registered parties the Commission, especially around Voter
participated in the presidential election Education and Publicity.
as expected, only thirteen (13) of them
participated in the Senate election. With Recognising the prevailing security
respect to the House of Representatives challenges in the Federal Capital city of
election, fifteen (15) political parties Abuja and its environment, engagement
participated in the Federal House of with the security agencies received prime
Representative election in Abuja North attention. The REC convened series of
Federal Constituency, and thirteen (13) ICCES meetings which held in Abuja and
political parties participated in the Abuja in the six Area Councils. Such meetings
South Federal Constituency election. As provided opportunity to assess and re-
mandated by the Commission, the conduct assess the security situation around Abuja
of these primaries was monitored and and to enable bringing together the security
detailed reports on them were submitted to threats analysis of the EOs and that of the
the FCT Office and subsequently forwarded security agencies to identify the flash points
to the Election and Party Monitoring and determine the appropriate deployment
Department in the Headquarters. of security personnel on Election Days.

Stakeholder Engagements Logistics Preparations

Stakeholders’ engagement is at the heart The support from the Commission’s

of conducing elections that are free, fair, leadership facilitated the facelift for
credible, inclusive, and above all, peaceful. logistics/electoral store, including the
It was for this reason that FCT-INEC upgrading of the existing facilities. This
engaged the different stakeholders in prepared the FCT Office to receive the
electoral democracy in the FCT to address non-sensitive materials received from

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

the Central Store in the Headquarters. the Unions were complemented with the
The facelift and upgrading included the Ten Hilux vehicles of the Commission which
installation of 2HP Air conditioning unit for were repaired/serviced for the election.
the cooling of the BVAS machines. Similarly,
the storage facilities at the Area Councils
were also given a facelift in readiness for Conduct of the Election
the receipt of sensitive and non-sensitive (the 25th of February and
materials. The improvement and adequacy
in the storage facilities made it possible take
18th of March 2023)
delivery of the balance of required non- The FCT Office of the Commission is limited
sensitive and the storage of BVAS machines to the conduct of the of the Presidential and
in the required number. National Assembly in an election year, as in
2023, where the conduct of the six Area
With respect to the Ballot Papers and
Council elections did not coincide with the
results sheets which are classified as
General Election. But more importantly,
sensitive materials, pre-inspection was
elections in the FCT attracts both national
carried out on 15th February 2023 involving
and international attention, and, therefore,
the REC of FCT and his team as well as
the immediate operational yardstick
officials of the CBN to ascertain what had
with which critical stakeholders view the
been supplied and to take note of shortfalls
performance of the Commission.
and other shortcomings of the supplied
sensitive materials. This was followed by
Opening of Polls
the inspection of the sensitive materials
on February 23, to enable political parties’ The FCT generally witnessed timely opening
agents, the media. Observers and other of polls at 8.30am amidst relatively large
relevant stakeholders confirm that these voter turnout. Simultaneous accreditation
materials had been securely kept by the and voting as determined by the
CBN. On the same day, sensitive and Commission were adopted as witnessed by
non-sensitive materials were batched and polling agents, election observers, and the
delivered to the Area Councils. media. However, delay in opening of polls
was observed in some polling units. While
INEC-FCT relied on the signed reviewed
voting was generally peaceful, there were
MoU entered by the Commission on the
pockets of violence and disruptions during
one hand, and the NURTW, NARTO and
results’ collation. For example, during the
MWUN based on which the Electoral
collation exercise at Zuba Collation Centre
Officers signed service agreements with
in Gwagwalada Area Council, attacks
the drivers at the Area Councils level. The
spearheaded by hoodlums involving the
meeting held on 7th February, with a follow
vandalisation and carting away of some
up meeting held on the 10th of February
items interrupted proceedings until the
2023, provided avenues for addressing
intervention of security agents restored
grey areas while discussing the terms of the
order. The incident here resulted in the
partnership. The vehicles contracted from

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

disappearance of 2 BVAS machines, Implementation of the Collation and

destruction of 18 ballot boxes and other Results Management Process
vital electoral materials.
The Commission in the FCT did not
Similarly, in Kuje and Bwari Area Councils, experience any challenge in terms of results
attacks by hoodlums resulted in some collation and management having carefully
election officials, voters and observers studied the regulations and guidelines of
losing their personal belongings, while vital the Commission. Accordingly, it dealt with
electoral materials including ballot papers, issues arising from over voting in the PUs.
ballot boxes, BVAS were either destroyed
or taken away. One painful incident was Elections Monitoring and Support
the attack on Rahmat Suleiman, an ex-corps Centre (EMSC) Situation Room
member who was beaten to a state of coma
and rushed to Kuje General Hospital from The Elections Monitoring and Support
where she was referred to the Gwagwalada Centre (EMSC) was reactivated on the eve of
Specialist Hospital for further treatment. the election primarily to gather information
Kwali and AMAC Area Councils witnessed to feed into the early warning system to
varying levels of violence and disruption support key activities on Election Day.
of election process despite the diligence The Centre performed creditably in terms
by the security agencies. It is important to of maintaining surveillance, identifying
add that there were also challenges posed threats, facilitating timely response and
by some ad hoc staff and security agents on coordinating active interaction with field
election duty whose activities amounted to assets as well as monitoring compliance
wilful subversion of the electoral process. with election processes and guidelines on
Election Day.
Voting Process and Performance of
Equipment Issues and Challenges Associated
with the Election
Aside these issues, the BVAS machines
performed optimally, and it accounted Apart from some of the challenges identified
for the conducting elections peacefully in in this report, especially the incidents of
many RAs and polling units. It is important violence and disruptions, there are other
to note that reported cases of disruptions challenges that need to be highlighted for
were occasioned by factors other than purposes of lessons learned and making
the functioning of the BVAS deployed. necessary adjustments in future elections.
Nevertheless, there were a few instances These are highlighted as follows:
in which inadequate training of ad hoc
personnel manifested in their inability to i. Desperate efforts on the part of political
efficiently operate the BVAS. parties to evade INEC monitoring role
by giving misleading or inaccurate
information about the venues for their
primaries and congresses.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

ii. Political parties displayed lackadaisical personnel earmarked for election duty;
attitude to reporting on their campaign and (2) Lack of adequate coverage of
finances to the extent that staff of the polling units because the number of
EPM encounter too many obstacles in security personnel deployed often falls
seeking to carry out effective monitoring below the ideal three security personnel
per polling units.
iii. Avoidable errors in the printing of polling
agents including errors in the spelling The cashless policy and the currency swap
and/or omission of names, pictures and at the time created challenges, despite the
party logo in some cases, while in other initiative of the Commission to ameliorate
cases names of party agents belonging the situation by making arrangement with
to a particular party are printed on logos the Central Bank. The cashless policy had
meant for different parties. visible impact in getting the transport unions
to deliver as effectively as envisaged.
iv. The poor state of facilities needed for
the effective functioning of the Legal
Departments in the form of obsolete
printers contribute to unnecessary
delays in processing the numerous
requests for issuance of CTCs in the
aftermath of elections. This is further
compounded by the inadequate number
of coloured printers.

v. The difficulty in the configuration of the

BVAS machines for election because
they were white listed for election
purposes.

vi. Lack of adequate number of BVAS for

the training of all the levels of ad hoc
staff because direct contact with the
machines and its operational systems
and mechanisms are necessary to ensure
effective training, and, hence, the ability
of ad hoc staff deployed to be able to
handle the BVAS machines.

vii. There were two major challenges in the

training and deployment of security
personnel for elections purposes: (1)
Absenteeism from training of security

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12.2.3.
Kogi State Dr. Hale Gabriel Longpet
Capital City: Lokoja Resident Electoral Commissioner, Kogi State

Delimitation Data

21 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
9 Federal
Constituencies
25 State
Constituencies

239
No of RAs
3,508
No of PUs
1,932,654
No of Registered
Voters
1,813,741
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction in the 21 LGAs to produce a workable plan

that guided the State in the conduct of the
Excised from Benue and Kwara states on 2023 General Election. Furthermore, there
the 27th of August 1991, Kogi State is was a series of management meetings,
situated within the North-Central Geo- briefings, and consultations. The State
Political Zone, with a landmass of 29,833. commenced an electoral material audit in
The State 21 LGAs, 239 RAs, 3,508 PUs, August 2022, at both the State and LGA
and 1, 932,654 Registered Voters. A total of offices to take stock of available materials
1,813,741 PVCs amounting to nearly 94% for the conduct of the election. The exercise
were collected prior to the 2023 General continued until the last batch of sensitive
Election. materials was received on the 14th of April
2023.

Pre-Election Activities Conduct of CVR and PVC Collection

Exercise
Management Planning activities
The state implemented both the CVR and
Upon the approval of the 2022 Election PVCs collection in accordance with the
Project Plan by the Commission, the State guidelines established by the Commission
Office constituted a committee to study the at the Headquarters. As in other states, the
plan and adapt it to the peculiarities of the CVR began on the 28th of June and ended
State electoral environment. The Committee on the 31st of July 2022, while the PVC
comprised of all Heads of Division. The collection continued until the 5th of May
Committee worked with Electoral Officers 2023. These exercises were challenging

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because of the attitude of Nigerians who the mission of the Commission to conduct
would wait until the very last minute. The free and election.
situation was worsened by the fact that
most of the eligible Nigerians for CVR and The Commission also engaged with the
targets of PVCs collection were in rural political parties, civil society groups
communities far from the LGA offices where including Women-based groups and NGOs,
these exercises first started. and youth organisations, to avail them of the
implications of the 2022 Electoral Act for
Party Primaries and Nomination the 2023 general election, the deployment
Process of the BVAS technology to improve the
transparency of the election, and the
The State Office monitored Political Party INEC guidelines and regulations that had
activities ranging from Party Primaries/ been derived from the new Electoral Act
Congresses and Campaigns Finance to improve the overall integrity of the
Tracking. Primary Election conducted that elections. Series of stakeholders’ meetings
fielded candidates for the 2023 General were reinforced by collaboration with the
Election were monitored. Seventeen (17) media, especially houses that commanded
out of the 18 Registered Political Parties in audience throughout Kogi State. This took
Kogi used the indirect mode of Primaries the form of regular guest appearances on
to choose their Candidates. At the end Grace FM radio, and similar appearances by
of the exercise, the following number of staff of the Voter Education and Publicity
Candidates respectively emerged. Department (VEP), to explain the processes
and procedures of the 2023 elections
Stakeholder Engagements as well as the preparedness towards the
conduct of the 2023 General Election.
Stakeholders’ engagement has become a
standard practice for EMBs interested in However, considering the peculiar security
conducting elections that have credibility challenges faced by Kogi State, especially
and integrity. Consequently, in the build- the history of thuggery and political violence
up to the election the Commission in Kogi East and Central senatorial zones,
under the leadership and initiative of the the Commission engaged with the ICCES in
Resident Electoral Commissioner, engaged Kogi State. Such meetings deliberated on
the relevant stakeholders in electoral the entire security situations in the state
democracy. For example, the Commission including the security threats analysis from
accorded priority to engagement with the the EOs to map out security deployment for
traditional rulers from the three Senatorial the election.
Districts in the State. These included the
Attah of Igala, the Ohinoyi of Ebira Land, the Preparations for the Election
Obaro of Kabba, and the Ohimege of Koto, Receipt, Storage, Deployment of
not only for the new Resident Electoral Sensitive Materials
Commissioner to familiarise himself with
these traditional rulers, but also to explain The Commission in Kogi State put in place

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necessary arrangements for the conduct institutions in Kogi State. On the other
of the 2023 General Election, especially hand, the RATECHs and the LGTECHs) were
around uplifting of storage facilities recruited by the ICT Department in the
to receive the non-sensitive materials Headquarters and deployed to the state.
which were deployed in batches from the
Headquarters of the Commission. In doing It is important to note that the VR &
this, the state office was implementing the ICT departments participated fully in
directive supported by funding to ensure the training of all levels of ad-hoc Staff
the Stores were state of readiness to receive used for the election alongside the
these materials. The materials were later designated trainers drawn from the ranks
moved to the 21 LGAs of the state. of Supervisory Presiding Officers and The
Electoral Institute. The participation of staff
As it has been the practice, the sensitive from this department was necessitated by
materials were kept in the safe custody the critical role of the technology deployed
of the CBN in Lokoja some weeks to the in all the facets of the polling ranging
25th of February Presidential and National from accreditation to the transmission
Assembly elections. Early in the week of the of the results. Furthermore, the VR & ICT
election, the REC and management staff as Department from the headquarters and
well as the EOs carried out inspection of the the state deployed, Two (2) State Technical
materials to identify shortfalls and possible Support Staff, Twenty-one (21) Local
mix up in the packaging of the ballot papers Government Area Technical Support Staff
and the results sheets. Finally, following the and Two hundred and forty-five (245) RA
inspection of the sensitive materials by the Technical Support Staff for the two hundred
political party agents and the media, they and thirty-nine (239) RAs in the State.
were moved to the LGAS, from where they
were moved to the RAs to enable early RAC The recruited election duty staff were
activation on Friday preceding the election. exposed to various training and workshops
where they were acquainted with the
Recruitment, training, and Commission’s procedures and regulations
deployment of Electoral Personnel developed in line with the 2022 Electoral
Act to enhance the quality of their service
A total of 14,679 election officials were delivery. All these trainings organised
recruited, trained, and deployed for the strictly adhered to the schedules of the
2023 General Election in Kogi State. The Commission at the Headquarters. These
various categories of election officials include the trainings of the POs, APOs,
included the SPOs, COs/ROs, POs, RAC COs/ROs, RATECHs and LGTECHs that
Managers and APOs. The state relied on the were held at the Federal University,
data of applicants for the various positions Lokoja. Among others, these trainings paid
as downloaded from the INECPRESS attention to the deployment and use of
harvested from serving NYSC members, ex- BVAS in the process of accreditation and
corps members, Senior Staff of government transmission of results at the PU level. On
establishment and students of tertiary its part, the training of security agencies for

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election duty specifically focused on the sourced from members of the NURTW
role of security agencies in securing the were inspected and ascertained for road
electorate, electoral personnel/materials, worthiness by officials of the FRSC in Kogi
and observers as well as how to mitigate State. However, in respect of areas with
electoral violence before, during and after difficult and mountainous terrains the
election. Commission had difficulty in persuading
the unions to accept to deliver electoral
Identification, Preparation and materials and personnel. The consequence
Activation of RACs and SRACs was protracted negotiations over prices
and eventually paying higher prices than
RACs and Super RACs were identified early was earlier agreed.
and prepared according to established
guidelines. They were activated for use
with adequate security on the eve of each Conduct of the Election
Election Day. Election personnel were (25th February 18th March
made to undergo refresher training and
were deployed early on Election Day to the
and 15th April 2023)
PUs resulting in opening of polls. There
Opening of Polls
were adequate security arrangements at
the RACs and SRACs and vehicles were
Most Polling Units in the state were opened
available to convey electoral personnel and
by 8.00 am in the PUs with adequate
materials as escorted by security agencies
number of election officials. except for few
to the various PUs.
in Ajaokuta LGA during the Presidential and
National Assembly’s Elections because of
Logistics Preparations late arrival of poll officials in RA14 - Ganaja
Township. The late of polls necessitated the
There were adequate transportation
extension of voting to the following day,
arrangements for the movement of
February 26. It is important to note that
election personnel and materials, with
conduct of polls followed the Commission’s
particular emphasis on the movement of
policy of continuous accreditation and
Collation Officers and reverse logistics.
voting.
The Commission entered an MOU with
NURTW, NARTO and Maritime Association
Voting Process and Performance of
to ensure that Election Officials and
materials are conveyed timely and safely Equipment
to their respective election duty centres.
In accordance with the directive, all the
Based on the MoU, series of consultative
BVAS deployed for the elections were fully
meetings were held with the leadership
charged and performed optimally and the
of these unions and details of agreements
accreditation exercise went on smoothly
reached were shared with the EOs to clarify
except in the few instances where the
to all the parties’ duties and obligations
political thugs disrupted voting. In the few
on the Election Day. However, vehicles

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instances where malfunctioning of BVAS afternoon of the eve of Election Day, to

were recorded, poor training of the handlers capture the movement of materials and
most especially some National Youth Corps personnel to the RACs. The field contact
members was responsible. However, persons were responsible for making direct
such cases were promptly resolved by the contacts using cell phones to electoral
RATECHS and LGTECHs. officials in the field to get information on
threats, compliances, and challenges. This
Implementation of the Collation and enabled the State Office to take decisive
Results Management System and informed decisions. The pro-activeness
of the EMSC prompted awareness of PUs
Collation Officers arrived at the various where elections were cancelled on account
RAs and LGA collation centres on Election of non-usage of the BVAS and disruption of
Day and completed collation in good the poll before the results were presented
time, making it possible for collation and for collation during the elections.
announcement of results to be successfully
undertaken at the various election Collation Issues and Challenges Associated
Centres in good time. However, the election with the Election
in Bassa/Dekina Federal Constituency
had to be declared inconclusive as results Although the 2023 General Election
of disruption and violence that caused was successfully conducted in the State,
cancellation of results in 44 PUs across 8 some problems that emerged during the
Registration Area with 26,050 registered execution were as follows:
voters and 25,196 collected their PVCs
while the margin of lead between the two i. Violence, Disruption and Obstruction
leading candidates was 10,619 votes. A of the Electoral Processes: Cases of
supplementary election was held across the violence, disruption and obstruction
affected PUs in the Constituency on the of the electoral processes were
18th of April 2023, where a winner clearly reported across 209 Polling Units in
emerged. 68 Registration Areas within 18 LGAs
in Kogi State. It may be pertinent
Monitoring, Implementation and to note that that of Bassa/Dekina
Support for Field Activities Federal Constituency Election affected
the margin of lead which resulted in
Election Day and immediate post-election supplementary election.
activities were tracked and monitored
from the Election Monitoring and Support ii. Kidnapping of Election Duty Staff: Some
Centre (EMSC) that had a Situation Room thugs invaded one of the RAC centres in
at the State Office, Lokoja. A team of Lokoja LGA where some valuable items
personnel, comprising of 17 field contact were carted away. Similarly, during the
persons successfully operated it. To enable return of the ad-hoc personnel after the
the EMSC capture all activities on the field, election from Kupa North and South in
its operations were activated in the early Lokoja LGA, seven (7) of the buses were

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

attacked by kidnappers at Obajana. and after the 2023 General Election.

Many of the ad hoc staff sustained These functions included printing of
various degrees of injury and bullet three (3) sets of electronic register of
wounds and six (6) were kidnapped. voters (EVR) were one coloured and
two black for the twenty-one (21) Local
iii. Usage, Non-usage, Damage and Missing Government Areas. Three thousand,
of BVAS: There were reported cases five hundred ninety-four (3,594) BVAS
of non-usage, damage and missing plus additional two hundred and eighty-
BVAS. In some cases, poll officials were two (282) backups were fully charged,
attacked by thugs carrying guns and configured with SIMs and data and then
machete where BVAS were destroyed, deployed to the field for the election.
damaged, burnt or snatched during the
elections. The Commission lost Fifty- There was a case of criminal invasion by
one (51) BVAS and over 150 batteries. hoodlums in RA 4 RAC centre in Lokoja,
where hoodlums bounced into RAC at
iv. Configuration and Deployment of night and stole valuable properties that
Accreditation Devices (EVR, VR and included phones and power banks from
BVAS): As part of the functions of ad-hoc personnel. In fear and panic from
the Voter Registry and Information, the sleep many collided with one another
Communication and Technical Division and sustained injuries and were treated at
(VR & ICT) of the Commission, a lot of the Federal University Teaching Hospital,
activities were carried out before, during Lokoja on Election Day.

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12.2.4.
Kwara State Garba Ahahitu Madami
Capital City: Ilorin Resident Electoral Commissioner, Kwara

Delimitation Data

16 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
6 Federal
Constituencies
24 State
Constituencies

193
No of RAs
2,887
No of PUs
1,695,927
No of Registered
Voters
1,537,275
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction Committee also met with the EOs to carry

out the same audit to enable feedback to be
Kwara State falls within the North-Central given to the Commission’s Headquarters.
geo-political zone of Nigeria, with a Periodic meetings with the EOs in the 16
landmass of 36,825 km2. The state has a LGAs to ensure full implementation of plans
total of 1,695,927 Registered Voters, 193 contributed to the success of the election.
RAs, 2,887 PUs, 6 Federal and 24 State
Constituencies. Prior to the 2023 General After the receipt of fund from the
Election, a total of 1,537,275 collected Headquarters for the renovation of stores
their PVCs, giving a PVC collection rate of in the state office and in the LGAs, the
90.65% state was put in a comfortable position to
receive non-sensitive materials from both
the Headquarters and the Zonal Store
Pre-Elections Activities in Minna. As these materials arrived in
different waves, they were batched based
Management Meetings and Audit of on the LGAs, while the sensitive materials
Electoral Materials from the Headquarters were directly taken
to the Central Bank, Ilorin Branch.
Following the commencement of
preparations for the elections, series Conduct of CVR and PVC Collection
of Management Meetings were held,
and appropriate committees and sub- Like other states, Kwara State commenced
committees were put in place to audit first quarter of CVR exercise on 28th June
available non-sensitive materials, the 2021 with online pre-registration of eligible
state of storage facilities and the state of registrants while physical capturing started
Commission’s vehicles. The Management on 26th July 2021 across the 16 LGAs and

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the State Office. The exercise ended on supported by the staff of The Electoral
31st of July 2022 and display of Preliminary Institute and Operations Department
Registers of Voters (PRVs) for claims and in the Headquarters, supported by the
objections took place at the end of every Supervisory Presiding Officers who had
quarter. Alongside the CVR, and after the been earlier trained and the State Training
close of the exercise, the Commission Officers s and the Local Government
handled the collection of PVCs. PVC Training Officers. Although always not
collection, according to the Commission’s enough, trainings were made as practical
guideline, started in the state Office and as possible with BVAS used to enhance
the Local Government Offices before the learning from the trainings. In addition
devolution to the RAs. In the build-up to to these trainings, refresher trainings were
the election, in response to the surging organised as part of RAC activities on the
crowds of people desperate to collect their eve of the elections, in addition to the
PVCs, the Commission adjusted its policy mandatory refresher training ordered by the
in terms of the level at which PVCs should Commission following the postponement
be between the LGA offices and the RAs. of the governorship election by one week.
The State implemented all these, and this The Commission engaged a total of 12,928
positively showed in the increase in the ad-hoc staff for the election. However, it
number of persons who obtained their is important to put on record that reports
PVCs before the election. received from the Electoral Officers across
the state, and corroborated by other field
Recruitment, Training and activities monitoring reports, some of the
Deployment of Electoral Personnel SPOs, POs, APOs and COs/ROs grossly
underperformed, especially during the
After harvesting the list of applicants Presidential/National Assembly elections. A
for the positions of Presiding Officers, combination of the review of the election of
Assistant Presiding Officers, Supervisory February 25th and the mandatory refresher
Presiding Officers, Registration Area training ordered by the Commission made
Technical Support Staff and Registration possible vastly improved performance in
Area Camps Managers, the state office the Governorship/State Assembly elections
screened the applicants and identified as well as the subsequent supplementary
qualified and competent persons from election.
the screening exercise. Meanwhile, the
recruitment of Collation Officers and Party Primaries and Candidates’
Returning Officers were determined by Nomination Processes
the Commission Headquarters in Abuja.
Subsequently, these categories of ad hoc The Political Party primaries in Niger
staff were recruited from the University of State was conducted within the time-
Ilorin. It was based on this that trainings line provided by the calendar of election
were organised at the different levels for activities, between 4th April of 2022 and 3rd
the election security personnel and other of June 2022, featuring the 18 registered
categories of staff. Trainings were generally political parties. Regardless of whether

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

the parties gave adequate notice or not, with the Traditional Rulers, community of
the primaries were monitored with the people with disability, Town hall meeting
State Office Management team and INEC with women group and gender focused
monitors deployed from the Headquarters. Civil Society Organisations as well as youth
As expected, the different parties chose groups. Engagements with the Visually
between the prescribed direct and indirect Impaired Voters, for example, focused on
modes of conducting their primaries, which the use of Braille ballot guide, magnified
were characterised by varying levels of glasses, and innovations introduced to make
rancour and tensions; many of the disputes voting friendly to this category of people for
arising from the exercise either ending up in the purposes of enhancing the inclusivity of
litigations as pre-election matter or resolved the electoral process. Furthermore, jingles
through the parties’ internal mechanisms from headquarters were translated into six
for resolving disputes. However, the entire major languages spoken in the state such
exercise highlighted the problem of internal as Yoruba, Nupe, Baruten Bakobaru, Hausa
democracy within the parties. and Fulfude. These jingles were aired on
TVs and Radio Stations, staff of VEP and
Stakeholder Engagements other knowledgeable people were invited
to explain all the aspects of the electoral
Creating robust relationships with the process including the innovations in the
different stakeholders put the state office 2023 general election.
in good stead to conduct peaceful and
rancorous-free elections in the State. The
critical stakeholders engaged included the Preparations for the
political parties and the security agencies Elections
through the platform of ICCES. It is important
to stress that no stakeholders’ meeting was Receipt, Storage and Deployment
held with other stakeholders such as the of Sensitive and Non-Sensitive
political parties, the NURTW and NARTO,
Materials
or with the traditional rulers without the
members of ICCES in attendance. This was All the non-sensitive materials used in
also the case with the signing of the Peace Kwara State in the general election were
Accord with the political parties and the received from INEC Headquarters in
candidates in the period leading up to the Abuja and the North Central Zonal store
elections. in Minna, Niger state. Prior to the arrival
of these materials in different batches, the
Stakeholders’ consultation was supported Store in the state office and in the LGAs
by implementation of the Commission’s were renovated for the purpose of taking
voter education and awareness campaigns. deliveries. On receipt of these materials,
Prior to the election, the state developed they were sorted, batched, and distributed
a schedule of Voter Education and to the 16 LGAs in readiness for the
mobilization activities for the purpose election. On the other hand, the sensitive
of the election. These include meetings

211
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

materials were received through the CBN, Printing of EVR

Ilorin Branch. The sorting, batching, and
movement of the sensitive materials to 16 Three sets of registers for the sixteen (16)
LGAs for the two elections was carried out Local Government Areas were printed,
at the premises of the CBN on Thursday one set of black and another set in colour
preceding each election in the presence of for the 2023 General Election. For the
party agents, security agents and the media Governorship/State House of Assembly
personnel in the state. On arrival at the elections, the same sets of registers were
LGA offices, the Electoral officers sorted used. However, some additional sets of
and deployed the sensitive materials to the registers were re-printed since the earlier
various RAs a day to the election. At the one used for the Presidential/National
end of the two elections, reversed logistics Assembly elections were mutilated.
of all the sensitive, including the BVAS, and
non- sensitive materials, was done from the Logistics Preparations
Local Government Area offices in the state.
The State Office made extensive logistics
Identification, Preparations and preparations for the 2023 general election.
Activation of RACs and Super RACs There are two dimensions to the logistics
preparations. On the one hand, the state
RACs and SuperRACs were identified early office used the revised MoU signed between
and prepared according to established the Commission at the Headquarters
guidelines. This was done following the and the two major transport unions – the
directive and guidelines issued by the NURTW and NARTO. Domesticating
Commission Headquarters to the effect the MoU followed series of meetings
that public facilities that were much better and negotiations with the leadership of
in terms of security and overall convenience the unions, especially in the face of the
be identified for use in the 2023 elections. resistance to the prices offered by the
Newly identified and old RACs considered Commission, the reality of fuel scarcity,
suitable were prepared with standard and the overall hardship being experienced
facilities by the EOs working together with in the country. At the end, the decision of
the RAC Managers. They were activated for the Commission to add N5,000 per vehicle
use with adequate security on the eve of helped in reaching agreement with the
each Election Day which enabled election unions, and the Legal Department helped
personnel to undergo refresher training in drafting an MoU which was eventually
and served the purpose of enabling early signed with the unions. On the other hand,
deployment from the Centres to the Pus, the Commission provided fund for the
early on Election Day resulting in opening repair and servicing of the 15 Hilux/Nissan
of polls. In addition, there were adequate Pick Up vehicles to complement vehicles
security arrangements at the RACs and sourced from NURTW and NARTO. All this
SRACs and vehicles were available to ensured that there were no major logistics
convey electoral personnel and materials as challenges in the election.
escorted by security agencies to the various
PUs
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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Conduct of the Elections that called for the intervention of security

personnel. In all, results of nine (9) PUs in six
(25th February and 18th (6) RAs across six (6) LGAs were cancelled
March 2023) due to over voting, and violent disruption
of voting process. Despite these challenges,
Opening of Polls results were successfully collated at all
levels and returns duly made.
Kwara State did not experience major
challenges regarding early opening of Operation of the Situation Room
polls. Although this was the general trend, and Election Monitoring and
there were some exceptions arising from a Support Centre
combination of factors such as disagreement
among communities with respect to the The EMSC functioned optimally in the
location of PUs, BVAS malfunctioning and tracking and monitoring of the pre-election,
security breaches. For instance, in Olla Election Day and post-election activities
Ward in Isin LGA, disagreement between including the collation of results. At the end
two candidates about the location of a PU of the elections, electoral materials that
delayed commencement of voting until were not consumables were retrieved from
the intervention of the Area Commander. the field and kept at LGA Offices and the
Similarly, in Baruten, Edu and Kaiama State Office. The state EMSC team, with
LGAs, there were disagreements related full complements of personnel tracked the
to the distance of the newly created PUs activities on the field. The field assets were
which also caused delay in voting. All these responsible for making direct contacts,
problems were however more rampant using cells phones, to electoral field officials
in the Presidential/National Assembly to get direct feedback on the situation from
elections and were largely addressed in the field. Such information from the field on
Governorship and State Assembly elections threats, compliances or challenges were
that followed. then passed the two data administrators,
and the information helped the Commission
Implementation of Collation and to take decisive and informed decisions for
Result Management Process proper execution of the election.

Apart from the fact that results collation Monitoring, Implementation and
exercise took place at the different levels, Support for field Activities
from the ward level upward, depending
on the elective positions involved, the The state office prepared for the tracking
Collation Officers, especially at the ward and monitoring of Election Day and
level were trained on how to deal with immediate post-election activities. The
issues such as cancellation of results arising EMSC platform which integrated personnel
from over voting and disruption of elections. deployed teams to the LGAs in the state
Nevertheless, there were instances of enabled the State Office to track the filed
over voting and violent disruption of polls activities and responded to situations that

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called for attention. The field contact contributed to delays in commencement

persons were responsible for making direct of voting since the Commission would
contacts using cell phones to electoral only get to know on the Election Day
officials in the field to get information on
threats, compliances, and challenges, which b. Poor performance of some election
enabled the State Office to take decisive personnel despite the training received
and informed decisions. The proactiveness in the build-up to the elections. It is
of the EMSC prompted awareness of PUs made more puzzling considering that
where elections were cancelled on account some under-performing cases were
of non-usage of the BVAS and disruption of recorded among university lecturers.
the poll before the results were presented
for collation during the elections. c. Threats to sanctity of the vote because
of factors such as illiteracy, age and
Issues and Challenges Associated disability which prevented some
with the Election voters from exercising their mandate
independently without interference
Among others, the following challenges from family members and party agents.
have been identified in all the elections
conducted in the state in 2023 as follows: d. The NIBSS platform continues to pose
problem to the payment of ad-hoc staff
a. Failure of some trained poll officials to outside the usual problems of ad hoc
turn up for electoral activities at their staff not submitting accurate accounts
designated polling units. Although such details. Often, this leads to agitation
officials were eventually replaced, it among ad-hoc staff.

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12.2.5.
Nasarawa State Dr. Uthman A. Ajidagba
Capital City: Lafia Resident Electoral Commissioner, Nasarawa State

Delimitation Data

13 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
5 Federal
Constituencies
24 State
Constituencies

147
No of RAs
3,256
No of PUs
1,899,244
No of Registered
Voters
1,847,752
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction Local Government Area offices as well as

for monitoring and other interventions on
The State has thirteen (13) Local Election Day in the State. The office also
Government Areas, three (3) Senatorial undertook the signing of an agreement
Districts and five (5) Federal Constituencies between the State Office and members
as well as one hundred and forty-seven of the NURTW and NARTO, on how the
(147) Registration Areas. There are one two unions would transport personnel and
thousand, four hundred and ninety-five materials to the Local Government Areas
(3256) Polling Units, and one million, six and Polling Units at appropriate date and
hundred and thirty-four thousand, eight time. The vehicles for such movements
hundred and sixty-seven registered voters were provided on time for the elections.
(1,899,244) across the State. The number of
PVCs collected before the General Election a. As convened, Management meetings
was 1,847,752, making the collection rate were held on:
one of the highest in the country at 97%.
b. 30/01/2023, concerning vehicles
repairs Committee Inauguration INEC
Pre-Election Activities
Nasarawa State.
Preparatory to the Elections, the office
c. 30/01/2023, with Electoral Officers
undertook the repairs and servicing of all
about PVC Collection, Election Security,
vehicles in the fleet of the Commission in
training of election personnel, security
the State. A total of fifteen (15) vehicles
consciousness of staff, movable and
were repaired/serviced. They were used
immovable electoral materials, RAC
for transporting Election Materials to the

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preparations, PVCs collection and of non-sensitive materials was done in good

Elections Security Trainings time after ensuring that the needed security
was in place in all the 13 Local Government
d. 08/02/2023, with ICCES members Areas of the State. The operational vehicles
on PVC Collection, Election Security, of the Commission were repaired and
training of election personnel, movable used with funds made available by the
and immovable electoral materials, Commission. Few days to the elections, a
RAC preparations, PVCs collection and peace accord signing was organized where
Elections Security Trainings. candidates in the elections were on hand and
did the needful. The event was witnessed
e. 06/03/2023, with ICCES again on by the E. U. observers Mission that sought
review of election security preparatory to know the level of our preparedness then.
to the 11th of March 2023 election.
Election materials particularly non- Party Primaries and Nomination
sensitive materials were audited, and the Process
finding was sent to INEC Headquarters.
The shortages were immediately The primaries were conducted within
reimbursed. the agreed time frame while candidate
nomination processes were done in
Conduct of CVR and PVC Collection accordance with the provision of the
Exercise Constitution and Electoral Act 2020 as
amended.
Nasarawa State as earlier stated, has 13
LGAs, 3 SDs, 5 FCs and 147 RAs. There Stakeholder Engagements
were 3,256 PUs and 1,899,244 in the State,
of which 1,847,752 representing 97.3% Following directives from INEC
PVCs collected leaving a balance of 51,495 Headquarters, stakeholder meetings were
uncollected PVCs. held, to have peaceful and successful 2023
elections. Such meetings were organized
Recruitment, Training and and moderated by INEC State Office
Deployment of Electoral Personnel Lafia where interactive sessions with
Traditional and Religious leaders was held
The recruitment, training and posting of ad- at Ta’al Conference Hotel, Lafia. During the
hoc staff was strictly done on INECPRESS interactive sessions emphasis was laid on
and in accordance with the laid down the appeal for a peaceful and violence-free,
guidelines. The testing of the Bimodal Voter 2023 General Election and, the importance
Accreditation System (BVAS) preceded attached to it.
by the mock accreditation provided the
leverage not only to test the functionality Receipt, Storage and Deployment
of the equipment but also brought to the of Sensitive and Non-Sensitive
prospective voters the opportunity to Materials
interact with the machine. The distribution

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

The operational vehicles of the Commission were the Commission’s efforts and support
were repaired and used with funds made geared to the implementation achievement
available by the Commission. The sensitive for all field activities. Enough vehicles were
materials in custody of the Central Bank, hired from NURTW and NARTO for smooth
Lafia branch were distributed three (3) days logistics preparation. On Election Day, the
to the elections for both the Presidential/ Head of Department in company of Chief
National Assembly as well as the Information Officer and the Commission’s
Governorship/State Assembly elections. photographer were part of the Honourable
The exercise was done in the presence of Resident Electoral Commissioner’s
all the Political Parties contesting in the entourage. They monitored the conduct
elections as well as the security agencies, of elections in some selected Polling
the media and observer groups. The Units across the three Senatorial Districts,
materials were escorted by armed security during the Presidential/National Assembly
to the various 13 Local Government Areas elections as well as the Governorship and
of the State. State Houses of Assembly elections.

Identification, Preparation and

Activation of RACs and SRACs Conduct of the Elections
(25th of February and 18th
All Registration Area Centres (RACs) across
the state were prepared in good time, with
of March 2023)
provision of lighting, mattresses toiletries,
Election Day Experiences from the
buckets, and water, among others. Such
RACs were activated in the afternoon of Field and Lessons Learnt
each Friday (a day before each of the 2023
There was substantial compliance with the
elections).
provisions of the Electoral Act with regards
to the conduct of the election though the
Printing of EVR
election did not commence early as schedule
All the EVR for 3256 Polling Units were for the Presidential and National Assembly
printed well ahead of time in black and Elections. Other activities included:
white and coloured and cross-checked by
a. Deployment of LGA Techs and RAC
the Electoral Officer.
Techs to their various LGAs and RAs
respectively.
Monitoring, Implementation and
Support for Field Activities b. Rendering technical support on SCRs
The elections were monitored by both c. Communication/Transmission of
the State and the National Headquarters accredited data on SCRs
Monitoring Team. The aim was to ensure
that Poll Officials adhered to the extant rules d. E-collation at RA level
governing the elections. Applicable too,

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

e. Uploading of EC8A results to the IReV Issues and Challenges Associated

with the Elections
Personnel used these areas were mainly ICT
staff, Corps Members, and IT staff of the The degree of cooperation on the part of
department. Materials and equipment were the transport unions is not fully accorded
sourced from old materials in the store and as there is always conflict of roles between
complemented from INEC Headquarters. the State branch and the Local Government
Area branches. To address the trend, the
Voting Process and Performance of LGA branches and the Local Government
Equipment Electoral Officers need to be fully involved
in the negotiations to curb the mutual
The processes were handled from the suspicion.
grass roots by the election personnel (POs,
APOs, RAC Techs, LGA Techs to Federal/ a. The remuneration for ad-hoc staff
State Constituencies, Senatorial Districts should be reviewed upward to reflect the
and, at State levels respectively). Materials current realities to curb the incidence
and equipment were sourced from old of short-changing of the lower level of
materials in the store and complemented ad-hoc staff by the higher ones when it
from headquarters. The performance comes to the payment of allowances at
of equipment while rendering technical the RAC/PU levels.
support on SCRs, Communication/
Transmission of accredited data on SCRs, b. The rate of electoral violence is on the
E-collation at RA level Uploading of EC8A increase with devastating consequences
results to IReV were satisfactory. of the electoral personnel, there is the
need to enforce the already existing
Operation of the Situation Room laws on electoral offenders to serve as
and Election Monitoring and deterrent.
Support Centre

EMSC situation room was set-up in time to

monitor the real time election tracking and
reporting of Election Day activities.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

12.2.6.

Niger State Ahmed Yushau Garki

Capital City: Minna Resident Electoral Commissioner, Niger State

Delimitation Data

25 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
10 Federal
Constituencies
27 State
Constituencies

274
No of RAs
4,950
No of PUs
2,698,344
No of Registered
Voters
2,525,869
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction since the previous general election, assess

the scale of IDP voting, assess the existing
Niger State is in Nigeria’s North-Central storage facilities and determine the kinds
Geo-Political Zone with a population of obsolete materials to be destroyed, and
of 3,954,722. The state’s landmass of carried out a stock taking exercise for the
76, 363 square kilometres contains 25 available non-sensitive materials, among
LGAs, 3 Senatorial Districts, 10 Federal others. Similar kinds of exercise were
Constituencies, 27 State Constituencies, undertaken by the EOs across the 25 LGAs
274 RAs as well as 4,950 PUs. The total to ascertain the condition of the offices,
number of registered voters at the time of identification of LGAs with difficult terrains,
the election was 2,698,344, with 2,525,869 network availability and blind spots as well
PVCs collected. as the changing security environment in the
LGAs. Regular meetings of the management
staff and the feedback from several sub-
Pre-Elections Activities committees focusing on critical issues
to be addressed to ensure free, fair and
Management Meetings and Audit of credible elections provided the Commission
Electoral Materials information for timely intervention by
both the state Office and the Commission
The Management team of the Commission Headquarters in Abuja.
in the state held series of meetings to review
the overall security situation in the face of
the rising cases of banditry and kidnapping

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Conduct of CVR and PVC Collection Recruitment, Training and

Deployment of Electoral Personnel
The state implemented the online pre-
registration which commenced on the 28th The Commission relies on Ad hoc staff
of June 2021 and the in-person physical engaged during elections to deliver on its
registration phases which was kick-started mandate. The Ad hoc staff is drawn from
on the 31st of July 2021 in designated serving Corps members, ex - Corps members,
registration centres. All this involved four and students in penultimate years federal
phases, each phase lasting for three months tertiary institutions, FMDAs, and lecturers
at the State Office, the LGAS and the preferably from federal institutions. The
RAs as directed by the Commission. This state office relied on applications harvested
exclude the one-month extension covering the Commission’s online recruitment portal,
the whole of July 2022 that was granted INECPRES, to harvest applicants who were
by the Commission in response to public later screened and trained for the different
pressure. The CVR exercise resulted in the positions except for the Collation and
registration of a total of three hundred and Returning Officers that were identified by
eight thousand, three hundred and nine the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of
(308,309) valid Registered voters added to Technology, Minna.
the previous figure of registered voters in the
State. Overall, the exercise was successful Recognising the critical role of skilled
considering the prevailing insecurity in personnel to the success of the 2023
the state in a number of LGAs including general election, the Commission adopted
Shiroro, Rafi, Munya, Kontagora, Magama, a pragmatic approach by organizing
Mashegu, Wushishi, Paikoro, Borgu, Bida, numerous trainings and workshops to
Lapai, Bosso and Tafa Local Government build the capacity of the Ad hoc staff. The
Areas. It is however important to add that Commission Headquarters in collaboration
CVR and voter migration implemented as with International Foundation for Electoral
part of expanding voter access to PUs took System (IFES) and other donor agencies
place simultaneously. With respect to PVC organized the various training programmes
collection, the state followed the guidelines for the Staff and other Officials that were
contained in a harmonized procedure, and engaged in the electoral activities. The
Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) training of security agencies was an integral
to guide the Staff of the Commission. part of the trainings mounted in the build-
This covered guidelines for the display of up to the election in view of the critical role
voters register and set up for collection, the security agencies play in all phases of
management of collected PVCs and process the electoral process. It is useful to add that
of collection at LGA and RA level and well ahead of the 2023 general election,
reporting obligation. the State Office, acting on the directive of
the Commission’s Headquarters, carried
out series of root trainings for youth corps
members in their orientation camps. The
root trainings succeeded in creating a pool

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

of trained youth corps members versed in Stakeholder Engagements

the processes and procedures of conducting
elections and the handling of the BVAS Stakeholder engagements took place at the
machines. Overall, the recruitment of all state level and in the 25 LGAs of the state
the categories of Ad hoc - staff - strictly where Electoral Officers were directed to
followed the stipulated guidelines and were engage with a wide range of stakeholders
all subjected to rigorous trainings, with only depending on their relevance to the local
those who showed evidence of mastering situation. The stakeholders’ meetings
the processes and procedures recruited provided avenues for discussing all the
at the end of the day. Refresher trainings activities of the Commission as well as
were also conducted in the aftermath of threats posed to the electoral process by
the postponement of the Governorship/ political violence, thuggery, vote buying,
Houses of Assembly elections. intimidations, and other related matters.
Furthermore, stakeholders were adequately
Party Primaries and Candidates’ sensitised on actions and behaviours that
Nomination Process could amount to breaches of Electoral Laws.
However, for purposes of stakeholders’
The Political Party primaries in Niger consultations and building public confidence
State was conducted within the time- in the electoral process, the stakeholders
line provided by the calendar of election identified include the political parties and
activities, between the 4th of April 2022 IPAC, NYSC, Faith-based organisations
and the 3rd of June 2022, featuring the and Traditional Rulers, the Central Bank
18 registered political parties. Although of Nigeria (CBN), National Orientation
the different parties chose between the Agency (NOA), the Media, Niger State
prescribed direct and indirect modes of Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC),
conducting their primaries, the handling of and women organisations and Community
the process highlight the problem of internal Based Organizations (CBOs). More
democracy within the parties. Added importantly, NURTW, NARTO and MWUN
to this was the problem created for the were rigorously engaged to ensure that
Commission’s monitoring exercise by the perfect arrangements were made for the
incessant, indiscriminate, and inconsistent movement electoral personnel and materials
change or shift of dates and venues of the including reverse logistics. Stakeholders’
primaries reflecting the level of internal consultations were complemented with
divisions within the parties. Despite these advocacy visits undertaken by the Resident
challenges, the state mobilised the staff Electoral Commissioner to Civil Society
including the management staff to serve as leaders and other stakeholders in the state.
monitors to fully cover the monitoring of To further ensure peaceful environment, the
party primaries considering the vastness of Political Parties and their candidates signed
Niger State. a Peace Pact at the Police Officers’ Mess in
Minna organized by the Commissioner of
Police (CP) on the 7th of February 2023.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Preparations for Elections for camping the Ad-Hoc staff who had
increased because of the increase in the
Receipt, Storage and Deployment number of Polling Units, personnel, and
the prevailing level of insecurity. In some
of Sensitive and Non-Sensitive
instances, this informed the relocation of
Materials
collation centres across the state. In addition
Ascertaining the state of readiness of the to furnishing, managers were appointed
storage facilities in both state and LGA among the Principals, Headmasters and
offices to receive sensitive materials that Headmistress of the schools identified to
came in batches from both the Zonal Store supervise and coordinate the activities of
located in Minna and the Headquarters each RAC at the LGA.
of the Commission was the first major
undertaken of the Commission in the state.
Printing of EVR
Non – Sensitive materials meant for the
On directive of the ICT Department of the
LGAs were promptly distributed to them
Commission, the ICT Department in the
to enable the Electoral Officers determine
state printed two copies of the EVR, one
shortfalls and notify the Commission for
in coloured, and the other in black and
early remedy. The sensitive materials
white based on 12 and 16 voters per page
meant for the State were received through
respectively.
the Central Bank of Nigeria Minna, under
the supervision and coordination of the
Logistics Preparations
Branch Controller, Minna. These include
Ballot papers and Forms EC8 Series for the The State office of the Commission
Presidential/ National Assembly Elections leveraged on the MoU between the
slated for 25th of February 2023. Following Commission and the road and marine
their verification and inspection by the transport officials to carry out the huge
State REC and the agents of the political logistics undertaking of the 2023 election in
parties in the presence of the security Niger State considering the vast geography
agencies, they were distributed to the 25 of the state and the reality of insecurity.
LGAs in good time. A series of discussion with these service
providers at both the state office in Minna
Identification, Preparations and and in the LGAS contributed to timely and
Activation of RACs and Super RACs adequate provision of the logistics and
transportation for both Men and Materials
Also ahead of the election, the state office
including early opening of polls. Similar
undertook a review of the locations of
engagements with the Maritime Union
RACs, Super RACs as well as Collation
enabled the state office to respond to the
Centres, to determine their suitability and
logistics demands of the seven LGAs that
readiness for the election. Among the
required Boats. These were Shiroro, Borgu,
indices or parameters used to determine
Wushishi, Agaie, Mokwa, Edati and Agwara.
the suitability were availability of perimeter
fences, toilet facilities, enough classrooms

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Monitoring, Implementation and option provided by the BVAS to use facial

Support for field Activities capture where fingerprint authentication
and identification failed contributed to the
In more recent electoral cycles, the improved efficiency in the voting process.
Commission had improved in the tracking
and monitoring of the different aspects of However, IDP voting was a pronounced
its electoral operations to infuse greater element of voting operations in Niger
transparency and accountability. For State because of the history of banditry,
this purpose, the EMSC Team set up the kidnapping for ransom and attacks on
Situation Room on the eve of the election to communities by insurgents who took over
undertake three (3) main tasks: monitoring several communities spread across LGAs in
the amber and red zones, RAC activation/ the state. Accordingly, the state office made
activities, accreditation/voting and close of adequate preparations for IDP voting to
polls; and collation of results. Although the fulfil international and national obligations
effectiveness of the exercise was marred at to include such persons in the voting
the beginning by poor network, there was process. The Commission consciously
improvement much later, and this made it took a decision to further improve on the
possible for timely responses o challenges inclusiveness of the electoral process when
that were reported from the field. it unveiled the 2022 Revised Framework
and Regulations for Voting by Internally
Displaced Persons (IDPs), which reviewed
Conduct of the Elections the 2019 framework. However, because
(the 25th of February and conditions that gave rise to displacement
kept changing, the number of LGAs affected
the 18th of March) by displacement reduced from 14 LGAs to
5 LGAs. Consequently, the Commission
Opening of Polls conducted IDP voting in 5 LGAs affected
by banditry and flood, involving a total of
There was a marked improvement in timely
one hundred and fifty-five thousand, one
commencement of voting activities across
hundred and one (155,101) registered
the state during the Presidential/National
voters spread across 42 RAs and 323
Assembly elections, because good logistics
Pus. This category of persons voted in
ensured opening of polls around 8.am
established IDP camps under adequate
expected. However, poor handling of the
security coverage provided by the security
BVAS by some ad-hoc staff because of
agencies.
application of wrong codes at the initial
stage created bottlenecks in several Polling
Implementation of Collation and
Units. The closure of about 90% of the
Result Management Process
polling units by 2.30 pm except in a few
PUs closed where voting processes were In its quest to ensure accurate computation
disrupted by some disgruntled elements of election result, the Commission trained
a measure of early opening of polls. The and deployed Collation Support and Result

223
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Verification System (CSRVS) officers. The election, Election Day and post-election
deployment of these officers facilitated activities including the collation of results.
the early announcement and declaration of Furthermore, using the reverse logistics
election results. However, in a few places, methodology, deployed materials were
voting was marred by violence, leading to retrieved after the first round of election to
cancellation of results. Such cancellations prepare for the next round. At the end of
were because of snatching of election the elections, electoral materials that were
materials, attack on poll officials, and not consumables were retrieved from the
resistance to the use of BVAS and over field and kept at LGA Offices and the State
voting. During the Presidential/National Office.
Assembly elections, for instance, such
cancellations affected a total of 38,000 The state EMSC team was established with
votes spread across 15 LGAs, 41 RAs, and full complement of personnel, field assets,
57 PUs. In these instances, there were data administrators and a state coordinator.
written reports from the Presiding Officers To enable the EMSC capture all activities on
and Collation Officers. Similar incidents the field, its operations were activated in the
were recorded during the Governorship/ early afternoon of the eve of the election
State Assembly elections. to capture the movement of materials and
personnel to the RACs. The field assets
With specific reference to the State were responsible for making direct contacts,
Assembly elections on March 18, using cells phones, to electoral field officials
declaration could not be made in four to get direct feedback on the situation from
out of the 27 state constituencies as they field. Such information from the field on
were declared inconclusive following the threats, compliances or challenges were
application of the margin of lead principle. then passed the two data administrators,
This was a result of incidents of over and the information helped the Commission
voting and disruption of voting following to take decisive and informed decisions for
disagreements. The four (4) affected state proper execution of the election.
constituencies: Agaie, Agwara, Rafi and
Rijau LGA State constituencies in Eleven Issues and Challenges Associated
(11) RAs and Fifteen (15) PUs. In Agaie, five with the Election
(5) RAs and Seven (7) PUs; Agwara Two (2)
RAs and Two (2) PUs; Rafi Three (3) RAs After the conclusion of the elections in
and Three (3) PUs and in Rijau One RA and the state, there were a few challenges
Three (3) PUs were affected. identified that need to be addressed looking
forward to the subsequent elections. These
Operation of the Situation Room challenges are enumerated as follows:
and Election Monitoring and
Support Centre (EMSC) a. The excessive monetisation of the
electoral process which became evident
The EMSC functioned optimally in the in the level of vote selling vote buying.
tracking and monitoring of the pre- For instance, that voters were given

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both cash and materials like food items d. Persistence of insurgency, banditry, and
and clothes. kidnapping in the state over the years
which threaten the security of election
b. Reverse logistics remains a key challenge personnel and materials.
for the Commission. Both wilful acts of
subversion in the form of violence and e. The powerlessness of the Commission
stealing by poll officials threaten the in relation to the prosecution of election
safety of election materials. offenders.

c. Despite concerns raised about the f. The problem of accessing difficult

inadequacy of training of the ad hoc terrains and the implication for
staff, the problem continues to haunt additional transportation costs.
the Commission and account for the
inability of some deployed election staff
to optimally use the BVAS.

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12.2.7.

Plateau State Dr. Agundu Oliver Tersoo

Capital City: Jos Resident Electoral Commissioner, Plateau State

Delimitation Data

17 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
8 Federal
Constituencies
24 State
Constituencies

207
No of RAs
4,989
No of PUs
2,789,528
No of Registered
Voters
2,687,533
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction and training of ad-hoc personnel,

deployment of materials to the LGAs and
Plateau State, covering a land area of carrying out various activities as captured
30,913 km2 is in the North Central geo- on the timetable and schedule of activities
political zone of Nigeria. With a total of by the Commission. Also, inventory of
17 LGAs, 3 Senatorial Districts, 8 Federal election materials was taken to ascertain
Constituencies, 24 State Constituencies, the quantity of non-sensitive materials
207 RAs, and 4, 989 PUs, the state required for the election. These materials
registered a total of 2,789,528, while a total were subsequently received/delivered to
of 2,687,533 were collected before the the State in different batches, from Zonal
2023 General Election. stores Minna, INEC headquarters, Abuja
and others were delivered to the State
directly by the Commission’s Vendors. As
Pre - Election Activities part of the general preparations for the
elections, office renovations and furnishings
Management Meetings and were undertaken in Q’uanpan, Jos South,
Planning Activities Wase, Riyom, Langtang South and Kanke.
Arrangement for adequate supply of
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, petroleum products.
Administrative Secretary, HODs and the
17 Electoral Officers met regularly to Stakeholder Engagements
prepare adequately and early for the 2023
General Election. All the meetings and Engaging with the different stakeholders
engagements were centred chiefly on the including political parties, civil society,
modalities for organizing the recruitment women groups, and youth to provide basic

226
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

electoral information, mobilise voters and others. Furthermore, the Commission

secure the electoral environment is at partnered with civic groups, especially
the core of promoting electoral integrity. the CBOs to galvanise voter education
Accordingly, the Commission in Plateau and awareness. Similarly, considering the
identified the different stakeholders to critical role of religious and traditional
achieve free and fair elections. Given the leaders, a substantial part of engagements
history of communal and identity-based factored in these set of stakeholders. The
conflicts in the state, the Commission at one Commission also partnered with some
level engaged with the security agencies NGOs and CSOs to enhance our electoral
within the framework of ICCES, to identify process in Plateau State. For example, The
the hotspots in the state for the purposes of 'YourMatterProject' played a significant
planning the deployment of security person role to boost PVC collection by launching a
during the pre-election, Election Day, and community mobilization project for officers
the post-election period. Security threats for facilitating and making themselves
from carried out by the different agencies available for the project, which was aimed
and that of EOs across the 17 LGAs in at increasing participation of women,
the state informed the deliberations. Youth, People with Disabilities (PWDs)
The Commission also engaged with the and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
numerous NGOs and community-based in the electoral process by providing free
organisations as well their networks that transportation for them to collect their PVCs
have worked on conflict management and across the seventeen LGAs of the state. The
peace-building. The relative peace enjoyed project deployed IEC materials and created
during the election can be partly attributed promotional materials for mainstream
to the efforts of the Commission in this media to increase women engagement and
direction. It needs to be added that, for public collaboration with the Commission.
adequate security of the BVAS machines,
the Commission made available special Conduct of CVR and PVC Collection
monthly funds between October 2022 to
April 2023 to fortify the State Office with The importance of the CVR exercise is
adequate security personnel. Stakeholders’ underscored by the imperative of updating
engagement with the political parties was the Voter Register by offering those who
given priority, especially considering the turned the voting age of 18 after the 2019
reality of intra-party and inter-party tension General Election the opportunity to be
and animosity in the state in the aftermath registered, giving opportunity to persons
of the party primaries. Engagements with wishing to update their data in the register,
the parties focused on the key provisions in while the strict requirement of the Electoral
the 2022 Electoral Act and its implications Act that only citizens who have their PVCs
for the political parties and their leaders can cast their votes make PVC collection an
including the modes of conducting party important electoral activity in the period
primaries, uploading information on polling leading up to the 2023 General Election.
agents, and new provisions that how These two activities were carried out with
deceased candidates can be replaced, among intensity and vigour. To ensure accessibility

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

and convenience, numerous registration security personnel, were conducted, one

centres were set up across Plateau State. after the other between February 3-22,
These centres were strategically located in 2023. In the aftermath of the postponement
various local government areas, enabling of the governorship election, a mandatory
citizens to register within their communities. refresher training was conducted for the
The distribution of registration centres SPOs, RACHTECs and other categories of
aimed to minimize travel distances and ad hoc staff.
encourage maximum participation. As a
mark of success in the exercise, a total of Party Primaries and Nomination
292, 949 persons were registered, while Processes
233, 469 persons transferred their PUs to
PUs nearest to their residences to achieve The candidates’ selection process took
expanded voter access to the PUs. For the place in Plateau State as provided in the
PVC distribution activity that was carried timetable and schedule of activities of
out simultaneously, a total of 268,7533 the Commission. The activities for this
PVCs were issued out to voters across the purpose were monitored by the staff
17 LGAs in Plateau State. of EPM Department to ensure that
candidates nominated from the eighteen
Recruitment, Training, and (18) registered Political Parties were validly
Deployment of Electoral Personnel nominated through the primaries. It is
however imperative to note the challenges
The task of conducting the 2023 General that impeded the effective monitoring of
Election amidst a new electoral legal these party primaries. These, among others,
framework and deployment of new include, short notices, frequent changes
technology meant that all categories of in the calendar of Political parties as it
personnel recruited to conduct the election affected dates, times, and venues of these
receive adequate training and imbued with primaries. Additionally, there were logistics
the required skills for the smooth operations challenges arising from difficulty to locate
of the elections. Consequently, series of state and LGA offices of political parties,
training sessions which were approved the tendency to drag the Commission
by the headquarters were organized by into their internal problems arising from
the State office in collaboration with the accusations and counter accusations of
Electoral Institute for various categories manipulation, and the inability for parties
of ad-hoc personnel for the elections. The to conduct direct primaries where it was
Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs), the mode indicated because they were
RATECHs, RAC managers, Presiding Officers overwhelmed by what it took conduct
(POs), Assistant Presiding Officers (APOs) direct party primaries. Similar accusation
were sourced through the INECPRES portal of manipulation also characterized indirect
except for Collation/Returning Officers primaries arising from alleged manipulation
(COs/ROs) who were sourced through of lists of delegates. Finally, parties hoarded
the Office of the Commission’s Chairman. information as to how much candidates
All the trainings including the training of spent during campaigns making it difficult

228
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

for the Commission to properly monitor INEC LGA offices and thereafter, movement
party and candidates’ campaign finances. to RACs on Friday, the 24th of February
and PUs on Election Day, Saturday, 25th
Receipt, Storage, and Deployment of of February before the commencement of
Electoral Materials polls by 8.30am as stipulated.

Plateau State INEC, having fully complied Training, Recruitment, and

with the directive of the Commission’s
Deployment of Personnel
Headquarters to put the storage facilities
at the state and LGA levels to receive the Before the commencement of the training
non-sensitive materials that were brought and subsequent recruitment especially of
in batches received them accordingly, the ad-hoc staff, the names of all those who
and made funds available to ensure applied through the INECPRESS portal as
adequate security deployment for their POs/APOs totalling over 21,000 applicants
safety, and that of BVAS that were used were harvested and were trained at the
for the conduct of the elections. For both LGA level. That of SPOs took place at the
the Presidential/National Assembly and Plateau State Polytechnic, Jos Campus in
Governorship/State Houses of Assembly the state capital. While the Collation and
elections, pre-inspections were carried out Returning officers were trained at Faculty of
on the Wednesday of the election week Social Science Auditorium, University of Jos.
jointly by the State Management Team led The required number for each category of
by the Resident Electoral Commissioner the ad-hoc staff were eventually recruited
and the Electoral Officers, in the presence and deployed for the election. But on a
of the security agencies during which the sad note, it was reported by the Electoral
Branch Controller of the Central Bank made Officer of Mangu LGA that one serving
them available. It is important to note that corps member fell-off the motor bike that
inspection of these materials took place in was conveying her to the polling units on
the presence of the agents of the political the day of the conduct of the Presidential
parties and some international and domestic and National Assembly Election, which led
observers before they were deployed to to her unfortunate death.
the LGA offices. For the two elections, the
observed shortfalls were timely reported Preparation and Activation of RACs
to the Commission’s Headquarters which and SRACs
accordingly elicited prompt response. and
promptly responded to by Headquarters. Early opening of polls and commencement
The deployment of sensitive election of voting are predicated on the activation
materials to the seventeen (17) LGAs was of RACs and SRACS on Friday, to enable
done on Wednesday the 23rd of February materials and personnel deploy to the
beginning with farthest from Jos the state PUs in real time. Plateau INEC accorded
capital, accompanied by the respective priority attention to this aspect of electoral
Electoral Officers (EOs) with heavy operations. Prior to the election, and acting
detachment of armed security men to the

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on the directive of the Commission, the Despite the appeal to members of the
Electoral Officers were directed to identify transport unions to observe the spirit of
and select suitable facilities to be used as the MoU, some Electoral Officers reported
RACs Centres, for which funds were released their deviation from the signed MoU by not
to the EOs to furnish these Centres with supplying vehicles in their specifications.
mats, water, buckets, toiletries, lightning, For instance, instead of supplying 18-seater
cables, and bulbs etc that would make the buses, some of the transport unions workers
RACs fully operational. Although most supplied smaller vehicles like Sharon which
of the RACS were activated as expected, could convey fewer number of personnel.
RACs in some LGAs like Riyom, Barkin Ladi, This problem partly caused delay in
and Wase could not be activated on the conveying men and materials to the polling
eve of the election for refresher training to Units as scheduled and many ad-hoc staff
take place due to some logistics/security from getting to their respective polling units
challenges. However, these isolated at the right time. Hence, polls could not open
cases did not affect early deployment and early enough in some of such polling units
commencement of polls in the affected on the Election Day of the 25th of February
LGAs because of other robust measures put 2023. The leadership of the Commission
in place. however deserves some commendation for
intervening to ameliorate the problem of
Logistics Preparations scarcity and non-availability of cash without
which it would have been difficult to deploy
The conduct of the 2023 elections built for the elections. The decision to liaise with
on the logistics arrangement for the the NPC and the Central Bank confirms the
movement of personnel and materials in the position of the Commission regarding the
2019 General Election, specifically, MoU importance of partnerships.
between the Commission and the Road
Transport Unions. The MOU was further Configuration and Deployment of
reviewed in the count down to the 2023 Accreditation Devices (EVR, VR and
General Election, the only addition being BVAS)
the inclusion of the Maritime Union, which
together with the NURTW and NARTO), The HOD ICT with other ICT staff printed
provided the logistics for the election. Based the electronic voter register for each
on the reviewed MoU, series of meetings LGA and deployed them accordingly for
were held with the unions to determine the conduct of both the Presidential and
the total number of vehicles they could National Assembly and Governorship/ State
provide in relation to the requirements as House of Assembly elections. The BVAS
provided by the EOs. However, State Office were adequately charged, configured, and
Management team engaged with the FRSC deployed for the elections.
to ensure the inspection of vehicles to be
used across the state, an exercise that was
mandatorily carried out through the 21
LGAs.

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Conduct of the Elections delays were occasioned largely by lack

of mastery in terms of functionality and
(the 25th of February and operation of BVAS machine by some ad-
the 18th of March) hoc staff either because of proper attention
during training or the shortness of the days
Opening of Polls
provided for the training of ad-hoc staff
Opening of polls across Plateau State was on the use of BVAS. In some cases, such
generally in substantial compliance with the category of ad-hoc staff sadly bye-pass the
stipulated time. However, in some few polling use of the equipment for the purpose of
units as earlier captured there were some accreditation thereby making voting in such
delays because of non-supply of specified polling Units a nullity and an exercise in
vehicles especially in the first election futility. The result of which was cancellation
of the 25th of February 2023. However, of the election in the affected polling units.
there was remarkable improvement in the
logistics arrangement in the second election Monitoring, Implementation and
of the 18th of March 2023, thereby making Support for Field Activities
almost all the Polling Units to open as
early as 8:30am. Consequently, voting was The Commission’s headquarters in Abuja
concluded in many polling units at exactly deployed some staff from the headquarters
2:30pm. However, where accredited voters to the State office for effective monitoring
were still on the queue waiting to vote of the electoral process. The REC,
by 2:30pm, voting proceeded till the last Administrative Secretary and Heads of
person on the queue was attended to, which departments/HOUs also went to the field
in some cases made the voting process to to monitor the conduct of the election.
last to 4-6 or 7pm and some cases very Worth noting is the fact that here in
late in the night. Again, in some places as Plateau too some Heads of Departments,
result of BVAS malfunctioning, mix-up of Units and senior staff were deployed to
ballot papers and other compelling factors, monitor and assist the EOs at the LGAs.
elections were rescheduled to the following These monitoring really assisted in ensuring
day especially where there were issues of successful conduct of the election because
shortage of ballot papers for Presidential/ all observed inadequacies, such as mix-up
National Assembly like in Shendam LGA, of some results sheet, inadequate ballot
and Governorship/State House of Assembly papers, poor transportation arrangement
in Bokkos LGA. for ad-hoc staff etc were promptly reported
and addressed.
Accreditation and Voting Process
and Performance of Equipment Collation and Results Management
System
Accreditation and voting took place
simultaneously and the BVAS machine The results of the General Election were
which was deployed for the exercise sorted, tallied, and announced immediately
performed optimally. The only noticeable after the close of polls at the polling units.

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Thereafter these polling units result were Desk officers were up and doing by giving
electronically transmitted directly to the updates on reporting of events to the
IREV, while the Collation Support and Result appropriate quarters for quick interventions
Verification System was used to transmit whenever issues arise in respect of the
the final collation/declaration of results of conduct of the election especially from the
Presidential and National Assembly. But field. At the end of the General Election,
due to network challenges and possibly due all major election materials deployed for the
to other reasons, some ad-hoc staff refused conduct of the 2023 General Election were
or did not upload the results real-time. successfully retrieved back from the field,
However, after the successful Collations except for few cases of missing 3 (three)
at various levels winners were declared in generating sets, some mats, and batteries
line with the subsisting electoral laws and for BVAS. At the point of writing this report,
regulations. fifteen (15) persons in Police custody were
being investigated for missing BVAS and the
Implementation of Collation and circumstances leading to the disappearance
Results Management Process of some Presiding Officers (POs) in Jos
North during the 18th of March 2023
The Collation Support and Result verification Governorship/State Assembly Elections.
System Officers (CSVRS) who were sourced
from both the State and INEC headquarters Issues and Challenges Associated
Abuja were on ground to offer support for with the Election
the collation of results at different levels of
collations. In this respect the results of both The successful conduct and declaration
the presidential/National Assembly and of results at all levels notwithstanding,
Governorship/State House of Assembly there were obvious challenges that were
were collated automatically and in real- confronted that will have to be addressed
time using their various computers and going forward. These challenges include,
supporting equipment like projectors. All but not limited to the following:
the results of the elections were successfully
transmitted electronically to the designated a. Stalemate in collation processes and
emails and printed out to aid the Collation announcement of results because of
Officers/ Returning Officers to manually theft of BVAS which was experienced in
compute their Results and make declaration Jos North LGA.
respectively were applicable.
b. Insufficient time provided for the
Operation of the Situation Room training of election officials on the
and Election Management and proper use and troubleshooting of
Support Centre (EMSC) BVAS which led to operational errors
and confusion at some polling units
The Election Monitoring and Support Centre and in some cases even slowed down
(EMSC) secretariat was fully activated the process of accreditation and voting.
before, during and after the elections. The All this undermined the efficiency and

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integrity of the polls. the polling units and the exhibition of

lack of proper training by the political
c. Fake news and hate speeches: A parties of persons recruited as polling
dangerous combination of fake news agents on Election Day.
and the promotion of hate speech while
electioneering campaigns and during e. Lack of adequate storage facilities
the elections poisoned the electoral for election materials in the State
environment and cast serious doubt office here in Plateau State. With the
on the efforts of the Commission to reverse logistics now completed after
elicit public confidence and trust in her the elections some of our materials
processes. especially BVAS has now been stored at
our Collation Centre.
d. Lack of proper conduct and attitude of
polling agents who fomented trouble at

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12.3 North-East Geo-political Zone

Introduction 18 Senatorial Districts, 48 Federal and 156
State Constituencies, with 24,006 PUs. It has
The North-East Zone comprises of 6 States a registered voter population of 12,542,248
namely: Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, with 12,122,869 PVCs collected before the
Taraba and Yobe. The zone has a landmass 2023 General Election as shown in table
of 272,395 km2, with 112 LGAs, 1,210 RAs, 12.2 below.

Table 12.3: Delimitation Data for the North-East Zone on State-by-State Basis

S/N State LGA RA SD FC SC PU Reg. PVCs Km2

Voters Collection

1 Adamawa 21 226 3 8 25 4,104 2,196,566 1,970,650 36,917

2 Bauchi 20 212 3 12 31 5,423 2,749,268 2,721,780 45,837

3 Borno 27 312 3 10 28 5,071 2,513,281 2,447,209 70,898

4 Gombe 11 114 3 6 24 2,988 1,575,794 1,534,954 18,768

5 Taraba 16 168 3 6 24 3,597 2,022,374 1,825,325 54,473

6 Yobe 17 178 3 6 24 2,823 1,485,146 1,437,851 45,502

Totals 112 1,210 18 48 156 24,006 12,542,429 11,937,769 272,395

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12.3.1.
Adamawa State Adamu Gujungu
Capital City: Yola Admin Sec. Adamawa State

Delimitation Data

21 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
8 Federal
Constituencies
25 State
Constituencies

4,104
No of RAs
3,281
No of PUs
2,196,566
No of Registered
Voters
1,970,650
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction Register, dilapidated conditions of some

LGA offices, inadequate storage facilities in
Adamawa state is located on 9°20′N the state and LGA offices, and how to engage
12°30′E geographical coordinates and transport unions and the NYSC based on
covers a land mass of 36,917 km2. The the subsisting MoUs became key concerns
state is in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria in the run-up to the General Election. These
and has a total voting strength of 2,196,566 and other issues such as the status of RACS
spreading across 21 Local Government and super RACs and consultations with the
Areas, 226 Registration Areas, 3 Senatorial security agencies were discussed. Task were
Districts, 8 Federal Constituencies, and 25 shared among the Departments to ensure
State Constituencies. It has 4,104 Polling a hitch-free electoral operations. Pivotal
Units with 2,196,566 registered voters. to the successful electoral conduct was
A total of 1,970,650 PVCs were collected the provision of adequate and sufficient
before the General Election. space for the volume of sensitive and non-
sensitive materials required for the election.
Thus, the clearing of the stores by auctioning
Pre-Elections Activities and disposing obsolete materials to create
adequate space for critical material become
Management Meetings and Audit of
necessary. Indeed, by the third quarter of
Electoral Materials 2022, the office was in receipt of almost all
Prior to the elections, several management relevant materials and report back to the
meetings were held aimed at conducting headquarters areas of short falls.
a free, fair and credible elections. Several
issues, including the state of the Voters

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Conduct of CVR and PVC collection observance of the procedures and guidelines
issued by the Headquarters. Similarly, the
Like other states, Adamawa commenced training of CO/ROs was carried out two
the On-line Continuous voters registration days to the Presidential/National Assembly
exercise on the 28th of June 2021 and the elections, assisted by deployment of BVAS
in-person voter registration exercise on to ensure that practical aspects of collation
the 19th of July 2021. Despite challenges were effectively taught in addition to their
arising from non-coverage by networks, overall responsibilities in the electoral
inadequate security, and lack of adequate process.
incentives for staff, the CVR exercise which
ended on the 31st of July 2022 resulted in Party Primaries and Candidates’
the registration of a total 223,483 newly Nomination Processes
registered voters.
Before the commencement of the primary
Recruitment, Training and elections, the EPM Department in the
Deployment of Electoral Personnel state department requested all parties to
submit to the office list of delegates, party
The state office paid careful attention constitution and guidelines for the exercise.
to the training of all the categories of The Department, supported by other staff,
ad hoc staff recruited for the election. monitored the conduct of primary elections
Applicants’ information was harvested by sixteen (16) political parties in the state
from the online platform of INECPRESS, between the 4th of April 2022 to the 9th of
the Commission’s On-line recruitment June 2022. It is worth mentioning that only
portal and complemented the list with the ADP, APP, NRM and ZLP conducted
those harvested through the Google form. primary elections for Governorship. The
Most of the applicants short-listed and department also monitored substitution
recruited were drawn from the Federal primaries of political parties from the 28th
institutions unless where necessary from of June 2022 to the 14th of July 2022.
other state established institutions. They
were all trained on their primary roles in the The nomination process was dealt with as
electoral process including the functionality required by the Commission’s guidelines.
of the BVAS. When the parties conducted their primaries,
they submitted the names of the nominated
The training of POs and APOs which candidates for each constituency to their
was facilitated by the SPOs took place party’s National Secretariat where it was
at designated centres of all the Local uploaded to the INEC portal created to
Government Areas. As stipulated by the handle it. The names of the nominated
Commission’s Rules and Guidelines for candidates were then sent to our State
Election and other relevant legal framework, office through the Legal Departments
the training is designed to give poll level where complaints were received after it was
officials the requisite knowledge for pasted in the various constituencies, State
effective conduct of elections with the full and Local Government offices for public

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scrutiny. All complaints were received,

forwarded to the National office before the
Preparations for Elections
final lists of nominated Candidates were Receipt, Storage and Deployment
sent back to the public domain. In the final
of Sensitive and Non-Sensitive
lists of nominated candidates however,
Materials
names for some candidates of some parties
that did not conduct the primary election The improvement in the storage facilities of
emerged. More so, some names for LP the Commission and the LGAs ensured that
candidates who substituted others during non-sensitive materials such as election
the window for substitution of candidates bags, liquid gum, micro dry drip, pad,
was open, could not appear on the final sleeping mat, ballot boxes, red-lids, green
lists. Again, the name for the Governorship lids and black lids which had earlier arrived
candidate for NRM who substituted the were securely stored. Some of these non-
dead candidate was not also found on the sensitive materials were collected from the
list of Governorship Candidates for 2023 Commission’s Zonal Store in Gombe and
General election for the State. batched according to the LGAs. The sensitive
materials which arrived the state on 17th
Stakeholder Engagements January were safely kept in Central Bank,
Yola. These non-sensitive and sensitive
Among the critical stakeholders, the
materials were then carefully inspected by
Commission in the state engaged with the
a combined team of the Management at the
political parties and IPAC. Beginning with
state office and the logistics department to
the commencement of party congresses
determine shortfalls so that Headquarters
and primaries the CVR and distribution of
based on the Headquarters addressed the
PVCs, they were engaged for the purposes
shortfalls. The distribution of sensitive
of providing basic electoral information
materials was done at the Central Bank Yola
and the state of INEC preparedness for
in the presence of the office Management
the 2023 General election. Besides the
team, party agents, security agents, and the
engagements with the political parties and
team of staff from Operations Department
IPAC, the state office had stakeholders’
as well domestic and international
engagements with the youth organizations
observers.
to enhance democratic participation of
young persons and sensitise them on
Identification, Preparations and
the dangers of drug abuse and violence.
Some of the engagements supported by
Activation of RACs and Super RACs
development partners including the UNDP
The Operations Department directed all
and IFES dwelt on the importance of PVC
electoral officers to locate the RACs and
collection and turning out in large numbers
Super RACs in their various LGAs and report
to exercise their franchise. Other important
if the following items were available and in
groups engaged in the countdown to the
good condition: Fence, Lights and Toilet
2023 General Election included First Class
facilities, which was done and reported
traditional office holders, religious leaders,
back. Funds were disbursed to all the EOs
and women groups.
and all the RACs and Super RACs were
successfully activated.
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Logistic Preparations and informed decisions. The pro- activeness

of the EMSC prompted awareness of PUs
For the conveyance of personnel and where elections were cancelled on account
materials from the state Office to the LGAs, of non-usage of the BVAS and disruption of
and from the LGAs to the various RACs, and, the poll before the results were presented
subsequently, to the PUs, various means for collation during the elections.
of transportation were used ranging from
Motor Cars, trucks, buses, boats, canoes,
and motorcycles. The vehicles were used Conduct of the Elections
for the transportation of sensitive materials (25th of February and 18th
from the CBN to the 21 LGAs of the state
both for the Presidential/National Assembly
of March 2023)
Elections as well as Governorship/House
Opening of Polls
of Assembly. However, for the conveyance
of all the categories of election personnel, Most of the Polling Units across the state
18-seater buses were used. All this was were opened by 8:30am except for some
possible because the state office used the areas with difficult terrain where Poll
framework of the revised MoU with the Officials had to go on foot especially in
NURTW and NARTO on the 20th day of Bolki RA of Numan LGA. This elicited a
December, 2022, to sign agreement with violent response from the youth who
them on the 19th day of February 2023, to resisted the conduct of the Presidential/
provide logistics support for the deployment National Assembly elections. Aside this,
and retrieval of all elections personnel and early opening of polls in PUs across the
materials from the state level to LGAs as state enabled accreditation and voting to
well as to the Registration Area Camps commence by 8:30am with remarkable
(RAC) and Polling Units before, during and success in all the elections. One exception
after elections in a safe and timely manner. was recorded Bekaji Primary school of Yola
North LGA during the Presidential/National
Monitoring, Implementation and Assembly Election were because of the
Support for field Activities deliberate refusal of the APO I to use the
BVAS, the election was rescheduled for the
Election Day and immediate post-election
next day.
activities were tracked and monitored
from the EMSC with a team of personnel, Voting Process and Performance of
comprising of field contact persons. The
Equipment
EMSC captured the movement of materials
and personnel to the RACs. The field contact Continuous Accreditation and Voting System
persons were responsible for making direct (CAVS) as prescribed by the Commission
contacts using cell phones to electoral and encapsulated in the manual for election
officials in the field to get information on officials for the 2023 general election
threats, compliances, and challenges, which was adopted. The accreditation process
enabled the State Office to take decisive

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was also in strict adherence to the use of LGA, massive cancellation of governorship
BVAS, which performed optimally to give election results affecting other 20 LGAs
credibility to the elections conducted. It is cutting across 43 RAs and 69 PUs created
a credit to the Commission that a dedicated difficulties for the governorship election
pool of trained staff was provided to attend which had to be declared inconclusive. As
to the cases of malfunctioning BVAS. it turned out, the margin of lead scored
by the PDP candidate was 31, 249 which
Implementation of Collation and was lesser than the total number of 36,
Result Management Process 935 PVCs collected. The entire result for
Fufore Local Government was harvested
The Collation Support and Result Verification from INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV) and
System (CSRVS), introduced by the was collated by the State Returning Officer
Commission to improve the transparency of Prof. Mohammed Laminu Mele at the State
the results collation process proved to be a Collation Centre. The cancellation of some
game changer in Adamawa state. It assisted results has also affected declaration in four
the Collation Officers in the collation State Constituencies, namely, Girei, Gombi,
of results by reducing and/or avoiding Numan and Toungo which were declared
mistakes in calculations and cancelations inconclusive in the State Assembly election
of results. This played out in the outcome conducted on the same the 18th of March.
of the 25th of February 2023 Presidential
Election was conducted peacefully without Furthermore, the supplementary elections
noticeable security challenges across the conducted for the Governorship and four
state. However, unlike the presidential State House of Assembly on 15th April 2023
election, the governorship election which witnessed re-occurrence of violence and
took place on the 18th of March 2023 was disruptions in Boga/Dingai RA of Gombi
marred by some security, the worst scenario LGA were political thugs inflicted serious
which occurred in Fufore LGA where yet to injuries on one of the APOs in reaction to
be identified thugs truncated the process over voting and the refusal of the election
of Collation at the LGA. The thugs in their staff to accept demands of the irate youth
numbers found their way into the INEC LGA who insisted on the result they wanted in
Office where collation was ongoing and the PU. The election staff was attached
snatched form EC8B & EC8C which is the and rushed to the hospital for injuries he
summary of governorship result sheet at the sustained in the attack.
LGA level. In the violence that followed both
the CO and the EO were beaten to stupor Operation of the Situation Room
with the thugs accusing them of conspiracy and Election Monitoring and
to sabotage the process. Despite sending Support Centre
the replacement sheet by the REC, the
violent atmosphere could not be brought In other to obtain an effective and efficient
under control. supervision of the RACs activation and
training of Ad-hoc Staff at the various
Besides the tragic incidence in Fufore training centres across the state, all HODs

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were deployed to monitor, supervise as well election materials and personnel. For
as inspect the RAC to find out whether the instance, a total of 7 BVAS Machines
EOs complied with the directives and the were reported missing during the
monies given to them was used judiciously. General Election in Adamawa state and
efforts are still being made to recover
Issues and Challenges Associated them.
with the Election
c. There is the issue of inadequate storage
There are a number of issues identified in facilities at the State and LGA officers.
this report that call attention to the need Often cabinets which are in us are not
to address them in order to further improve secure. Even worse is that BVAS are kept
the integrity of the electoral process and in containers without air conditioning.
contribute to deepening democracy. These
include: d. A lot more is left to be done in respect
of migration of registered voters to
a. Deployment of adequate number newly created PUs arising from the
of BVAS for the training of all the implementation of access of voters to
categories of ad hoc staff to improve PUs.
on the practicality of the training
programmes. A recurring issue in the
elections conducted by the Commission
arises from lack of adequate exposure of
deployed staff during their trainings.

b. There is the problem of inadequate

security for the sensitive equipment
deployed for election as well as the
personnel deployed by the Commission.
This arises largely from the lack of
commitment to the protection of the

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12.3.2.
Bauchi State Mohammed Bulama Nura
Capital City: Bauchi Resident Electoral Commissioner, Bauchi State

Delimitation Data

20 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
12 Federal
Constituencies
31 State
Constituencies

212
No of RAs
5,423
No of PUs
2,749,268
No of Registered
Voters
2,721,780
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction Committee chaired by the Resident

Electoral Commissioner. towards the
Occupying a total landmass of 45,837 km2, successful conduct of the 2023 general
Bauchi state is situated within the North- election. Among others. the Management
East Geo-Political Zone. The state has 20 Committee and its sub-committees carried
LGAs, 212 RAs, 5423 PUs, with a total out detailed audit of non-sensitive election
number of registered voters at 2,749,268. materials, identification of Area Offices
While 2,721,780 PVCs were collected, the that required renovation and Commission’s
state has 3 Senatorial Districts, 12 Federal vehicles that required overhauling.
and 31 State Constituencies.
Conduct of Continuous Voters
Registration (CVR) and PVCs
Pre-Election Activities Collection
Management Meetings
The Commission commenced first quarter
The State under the leadership of the of CVR exercise on the 28th of June 2021
Resident Electoral Commissioner set up with online pre-registration of eligible
the State Election Management Committee registrants while physical capturing started
which met weekly from August 2022 to on the 26th of July 2021 across the 20
undertake critical activities related to the LGAs and the State Office. The exercise
conduct of free and fair elections. These ended on the 31st of July 2022 and display
included working out detailed plans and of Preliminary Registers of Voters (PRVs)
implementation of activities which were for claims and objections took place at
assigned to sub-committees that reported the end of every quarter. Alongside the
on regular basis to the Management CVR, and after the close of the exercise,

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the Commission handled the distribution who indicated interest in working for
of PVCs. PVC distribution, according to the Commission through the On-line
the Commission’s guideline, started in the application portal, INECPRESS. A total of
state Office and the Area Offices before 41,263 applicants applied for the different
devolution to the RAs. In the build-up to the positions as received in the state in two
election, in response to the surging crowd batches. This was complemented by two
of Nigerians desperate to collect their batches of youth corps members using the
PVCs, the Commission adjusted its policy Google form. Thereafter, series of trainings
in terms of the level at which PVCs should were conducted for different cadres of
be distributed between the LGA offices and the Commission’s staff, including staff
the RAs. deployed to work on EMSC, EPM, VEP, VR/
ICT, ADR, and the Legal Department. The
Party Primaries and Nomination training of ESP which held between the 3rd
Process and 4th of February 2023 focused on the
role of security agencies in safeguarding
In line with the timetable and Schedule of the electoral environment to enhance the
Activities for the 2023 General Election prospect for peaceful and orderly elections
released by the Commission, political parties as well as how to secure the electoral
conducted primaries that were monitored environment with full observance of the
by the State Office in accordance with the rights of citizens.
relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution
and the reports compiled and sent to the The trainings organized and coordinated by
Headquarters. Despite the challenge posed the state office of the Commission and TEI
by the parties in constantly shifting the dates did not only strictly follow the schedules
and venues earlier made available to the as made for all the states, each segment
Commission, the Commission monitored of the training paid attention to the duty
party primaries and issued reports on specified for the category of ad hoc staff
them accordingly. While the EPM played being trained, For instance, the training
a leadership role in this regard as well as of the SPOs focused on their supervision
the tracking of financial expenditure of roles, including payment of the polling
the major political parties and candidates, unit level election staff, supervision of the
management staff and other staff of the conduct of the polls in the RAs, and how to
Commission were mobilized to support ensure effective distribution of all sensitive
the process. However, as it has been the and non-sensitive materials at the PUs in
practice, the EOs played a critical role in the the right quantity and at the right time.
monitoring of the party primaries. The SPOs in turn cascaded the trainings
to the POs and APOs at the LGA level.
Recruitment, Training and All these trainings, including the trainings
Deployment of Personnel conducted for the Collation Officers who
were identified through the leadership
The recruitment of ad hoc staff was of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University
largely derived from the data of applicants (ATBU), and facilitated by the STOs and

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LGTOs, were monitored by the staff of success of the elections.

the Commission deployed by the Electoral
Institute (TEI), Abuja. Other important Logistics Preparations
training activities include the training of
COs, ROs, RATECHS and LGTECHS, which The foundation of the success of the
focused on the technical skills to operate elections in the state was the maximum
and attend to malfunctioning BVAS as well cooperation elicited from the leadership
the handling of e-transmission of election of the transport unions, especially the
results. NURTW, NARTO, in amicably reaching
early agreements on prices and the
Stakeholder Engagements different categories of vehicles based
on the information provided by the EOs.
A wide range of stakeholders were engaged Based on the discussions and agreements,
to ensure credible and inclusive elections agreements were signed between the
in Bauchi considering the importance of officials of the transport unions and EOs in
stakeholders’ engagement to building the 20 LGAs of the state. The availability of
public trust and confidence. In no order, the Commission’s vehicles which had been
stakeholders engaged include the political serviced and repaired with funds provided
parties, members of ICCES, civil society by the Commission’s Headquarters ensured
organisations including women, youth and that movement of personnel and materials
organizations representing PWDs in the at different levels as well as reversed
state. Considering the need to reach to the logistics were easily accomplished.
grassroots, the numerous CBOs in the state
were also engaged.
Conduct of General
As expected, meetings with the security Election (the 25th of
agencies brought together the heads
of the various agencies, heads of para- February and the 18th of
military agencies as well as the NOA and March)
the NYSC. Apart from the general briefing
on INEC’s preparedness for the elections, Opening of Polls
the engagements focused on other issues
such the mobilization of people to collect The Commission in the state achieved early
their PVCs at the different levels as opening of polls across the LGAs and RAs at
constantly directed by the Commission’s 8 am which enabled commenced of voting
Headquarters; the role of BVAS for at 8.30am, and, by extension, early closure
purposes of accreditation and transmission of poll. The EOSC functioned optimally in
of election results; and voting procedures the tracking and monitoring of the pre-
as contained in the 2022 Electoral Act and election, Election Day and post-election
INEC Guidelines and Regulations. These activities including the collation of results.
engagements contributed to improved This performance was made possible the
level of awareness, and, consequently, the working tools including computer system,

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internet facilities, telephones etc that field. Such information from the field was
were provided by the Commission in the on threats, compliances or challenges were
Presidential/National Assembly elections then passed the two data administrators,
were not reported in the Governorship/ and the information helped the Commission
State Assembly elections. Furthermore, to take decisive and informed decisions for
using reverse logistics, deployed materials proper execution of the election.
were retrieved after the first round of
election to prepare for the next round. At Monitoring, Implementation and
the end of the elections, electoral materials Support for Field Activities
that were not consumables were retrieved
from the field and kept at LGA Offices and The setting up of a support centre in the state
the State Office. office for monitoring and providing support
for field activities contributed immensely
Implementation of Collation and to the overall success of the election in
Result Management Process the state. Tracking of field activities and
providing quick responses to challenges
Based on experience of the Commission with as they emerged was complemented by
results tabulation and collation processes, the deployment of HODs in the state
the Commission laid a clear protocol office who monitored alongside the staff
for results’ collation and management deployed from the Headquarters. Although
processes. At the level RA collation in this monitoring arrangement ensured
particular, INEC’s established guidelines that different activities were coordinated
helped in cancelling results where over seamlessly, there were incidences of
voting occurred. unnecessary cancellation of results by some
Collation officers during the Presidential
Operation of the Situation Room and National Assembly elections without
and Election Monitoring and heeding advice from Collation Support
Support Centre staff. Learning from this experience, steps
were taken in the subsequent Governorship
The establishment of an effectively and State Assembly elections to avoid such
operational EMSC improved the unnecessary cancellations.
Commission’s efficiency in tracking key
field activities and providing support Issues and Challenges in the
during the elections. However, to enable Elections
the EOSC capture all activities on the
field, its operations was activated in the a. Some Collation Officers encouraged
early afternoon of the eve of the election cancellation of results in some PUs
to capture the movement of materials and rather than investigate and correct
personnel to the RACs. The field assets the anomalies observed which should
were responsible for making direct contacts, not have necessarily resulted in
using cells phones, to electoral field officials cancellations.
to get direct feedback on the situation from

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b. Delay in commencement of Presidential officers to properly fill election results

and NASS elections in Bauchi LGA and appropriate data forms.
because of partial RACs activation and
the failure of ad-hoc personnel to stay h. Threats to life because of thuggery.
overnight therein.
i. Few cases of resistance and refusal by
c. Community conflicts on the location voters to use BVAS, which led to threat
of three PUs (05/17/01/016, to life of Poll officials that subsequently
05/17/01/017 & 05/17/07/010) in led to ballot stuffing and cancellation of
two RAs of Tafawa Balewa LGA led to results.
the inability of voters in the three PUs
to vote.; Confrontation resulted from j. Violence in some places as a result of
attempt to implement the Commission’s communal clashes led to non-conduct
Policy on relocating PUs cited initially in of election in some PUs.
front of the Village Head’s residence to
a Public School in Toro LGA. k. Shortfall of some sensitive materials
and lateness of delivery of electoral
d. Few BVAS failures, arising from inability materials from Headquarters.
of POs to properly handle them.
l. There was improved voter turnout
e. The recruitment of ad-hoc staff solely during the Governorship/SHOA
from the INECPRES was prone to elections compared to the Presidential/
infiltration by politicians. NASS elections. The turnout was 29%.

f. Violence at some PUs and Collation m. Three (3) BVAS devices were reported
centres posed challenges to the process. missing in Bauchi and Ningi LGAs as
follows: Bauchi LGA one (1) for Behind
g. Some of the SPOs and Collation Officers GGC 146 of Dan’iya Hardo RA 11.
were noticeably incompetent. The SPOs Ningi LGA two (2). After investigation
for instance, could not properly handle by the Police, one was found while the
and often delayed the distribution of remaining one for Dubu/Zahi 032 of
election materials. There was also the Bura/Kyata RA 08 was confirmed to
glaring failure of some of the Collation have been burnt by hoodlums.

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12.3.3.
Borno State Alh. Hussani Kaduna Sule
Capital City: Maiduguri Admin Sec, Borno

Delimitation Data

27 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
10 Federal
Constituencies
28 State
Constituencies

312
No of RAs
5,071
No of PUs
2,513,281
No of Registered
Voters
2,447,209
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction held with the EOs in the 27 LGAs for joint

reviews of the challenges and the pathways
Borno state falls within the North-East Geo- to successive elections in the state. Such
Political Zone and has remained a hotbed of meetings provided realistic assessments
Boko Haram-led insurgency for years. It has of the storage facilities in the state office
27 LGAs, 312 RAs, 3 Senatorial Districts, 10 and LGA offices, assessment of gaps in the
Federal and 28 State Constituencies. With available non-sensitive materials and the
2,513,281 registered voters, the state has state of office vehicles, among others. The
5, 071 PUs, 312 RAs, and has 27 LGAs. The stocktaking exercises enabled adequate
total number of PVCs collected stood at feedback to Headquarters and the eventual
2,447,209 as at the time of the election. revamping of office vehicles and the
renovation of the stores as well as some
LGA offices that were in dire state. It can
Preparations for the be concluded without fear of contradiction
Elections that management meetings and meetings
with the EOs put the state Office to manage
the 2023 general election.
Management Meetings

Although management meetings had Recruitment, Training and

been a regular feature of running the state Deployment of Staff
office, the frequency and regularity of such
meetings increased with the approach The process started with the application
of the 2023 general election. In addition of prospective ad hoc staff through the
to such meetings, regular meetings were INECPRES, a portal established for that

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purpose. Over 61,000 interested persons

applied for the posts of SPO, POs, APOs
The Conduct of the
RAC managers and RATECHs, even though Presidential and National
the figure need by the state was about Assembly Elections
21,000 ad hoc staff. In the aftermath of
availability checks that confirmed their Opening of Polls
availability, a screening exercise was
conducted at the various levels. Based on Since the State office successfully moved the
the recruitment that was informed by the sensitive materials from the Central Bank
performance of short-listed applicants, early on Friday morning preceding each
the final recruitment was done before the of the elections having them inspected in
commencement of trainings. The trainings the presence of security personnel, agents
of the SPOs, POs and APOs, security of the political parties and the media, early
agencies, Collation Officers and Returning opening of polls was guaranteed across
Officers were handled at different levels the length and breadth of the state. The
based on country-wide schedules from the arrangement made for deployment was
Commission’s Headquarters. such that most distant LGAs were accorded
priority in the movement from the State
The deployment of electoral materials and Headquarters, and, subsequently to the
personnel was undertaken by the different RAs. As a result, polls were opened in most
categories of vehicles as determined by the of the PUS by 8.30 am on Election Days,
State office and the EOs and as provided except for instances where materials could
by the NURTW and NARTO. The vehicles not reach the LGAs due to movement
provided by these unions were based on restriction and the consistent combing of
agreements reached within the framework the roads by the Joint Task Force which
of the MOU earlier signed between the caused delay in arrivals to such LGAs and
Commission and the Unions. It is important in some instances, due to malfunctioning
to stress that these vehicles assisted in of BVAs which delayed commencement of
conveying the different categories of ad hoc voting. There were several cases in which
staff and election monitors deployed by the malfunctioning BVAS had to be brought all
Headquarters to all the LGAS, RAs and the the way to Maiduguri for reconfiguration.
PUs. More strikingly, discussion with the
unions allowed for a flexible arrangement Report on the Conduct of the 2023
such that additional vehicles were provided Governorship and State Assembly
as the need arose to make the deployment Elections
hitch-free and successful. But while these
vehicles were hired for two days, they The elections were to the office of the
worked practically for three days or more Governor as well as to the offices of the 28
due to the peculiarities of insurgency and Members of the State House of Assembly.
restriction of movement by the security Only Bama LGA has two members while the
agents. remaining 26 LGAs have one each. After the
conclusion of the Presidential and National

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Assembly elections held on the 25th of of BVAS machines were received as against
February 2023, the Management went back what transpired during the Presidential and
to the drawing board and strategised with National Assembly Elections.
a view to addressing some issues which
affected the conduct of elections on the Management of Results and
25/2/2023. These included two refresher Collation
trainings conducted for all categories
of ad-hoc staff. Engagements with the Collations at Registration Areas and LGA
leaderships of the National Union of Road level started on Saturday evening. Results
Transport Workers, Electoral Officers/ LGAs started arriving the state Collation
Management, members of ICCES and other Centre on Sunday morning with LGAs
stakeholders to improve our outing during like Kaga, Magumeri, Mafa, Dikwa and
the Governorship and State Assembly Jere topping the list of earlier callers of
elections. These engagements became the Collation Centre at Kashim Ibrahim
fruitful as the take-off of the LGAs from the College of Education, Maiduguri. Incident
Central Bank to Commence on Thursday of Insurgent’s Attack During the night on
17th March 2023 as against Friday during Saturday the 18th of March 2023, there was
the Presidential and National Assembly an attack on Mafa from the headquarters of
Elections. This action solved the problems of Mafa LGA. During the incident, no casualty
late arrival particularly take-off on Thursday or injury to our election personnel was
and the provision of additional vehicles, recorded. The Army, Air Force and other
polling units opened by 8:00am for the start security agents were at hand to bring an end
of election by 8:30am in virtually, all parts to the attack. There were a few cancellations
of the state. during the election in affected LGAs that
were due to over-voting occasioned by the
With all BVAS charged and reconfigured, bypass of the BVAS.
election continued seamlessly with no
hitches as no reports of non-functionality

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

12.3.4.
Gombe State Umar Ibrahim
Capital City: Gombe Resident Electoral Commissioner, Gombe State

Delimitation Data

11 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
6 Federal
Constituencies
24 State
Constituencies

114
No of RAs
2,988
No of PUs
1,575,794
No of Registered
Voters
1,534,954
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction Awak, Hausa, Cham constituting the major

languages, although there are many others.
With 3 Senatorial Districts, 6 Federal The State is a fast commercial and industrial
Constituencies, 24 State Constituencies, growing city with multinational companies
11 LGAs, 114 RAs and 2, 988 polling such as Ashaka Cement Company in Bajoga,
units, Gombe is in the North-eastern geo- Funakaye LGA, Local Cotton Ginneries in
political zone of the country with a land Kumo, Akko LGA and the like. The recent
mass of about 18,768 km2 and an estimated discovery of oil deposits around Kolmani
population of 2,353,879 as per the 2006 area, a border town between Gombe and
headcount. The state was carved out of the Bauchi States signifies the commencement
defunct Bauchi State on the 1st of October of oil drilling following the presidential flag
1996 by the late General Sani Abacha’s off of the Kolmani Field, further making the
Administration. Referred to as the Jewel in State into a rapidly growing commercial
the Savannah, the State is bordered to the town. The State has many road networks
South by Adamawa and Taraba States, to linking states and local governments.
the North by Yobe State, West by Bauchi
State and to the East by Borno State. It In the Educational Sector, the State is
has 1,575,974 registered voters and a PVC blessed with tertiary institutions such as the
collection figure of 1,534,954, giving a Federal University Kashere (FUK) Federal
collection rate of 97%. College of Education (Technical) Gombe,
Federal College of Horticulture Dadin-
Predominately farmers, the State is Kowa, Federal Teaching Hospital in Gombe,
multilingual with Fulbe, Tera, Tangale, Waja, Gombe State University (GSU), School of
Bolewa, Kanuri, Jukun, Lunguda, Tula, Nursing and Midwifery Gombe, School

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of Health Technology Kaltungo, State received in Gombe State. A total of 193,541

Polytechnic Bajoga, College of Education were collected and 40,892 unclaimed PVCs
Billiri, College of Legal and Islamic Studies in the State from the CVR exercise. We
Nafada, Federal Polytechnic Kaltungo, and equally have outstanding 52,709 PVCs of
NITT Kumo and a host of others. 2011-2019 across the LGAs with no one
claiming them over the years.

Pre-Election Activities Recruitment, Training and

Deployment of Electoral Personnel
Planning Activities: Management
Meetings The Commission, in its wisdom created the
platform INECPRES which was responsible
In preparation for the elections, the State for recruitment of election personnel
Management team had several regular through a portal for interested poll officials
and emergency meetings to plan, review to apply. The applications were harvested
and assess implementation of all activities and sent to the State 0ffices for availability
leading to the successful conduct of the check. There was a shortfall of 611 for the
elections. Several expanded Management APO III. However, the shortfall was filled in
meetings were also held with Electoral the second trenched. Only permanent staff
Officers to ensure consistency in on GL 10 and above were allowed to serve
implementation of all electoral activities as Electoral Personnel.
across the LGAs of the State.
Party Primaries and Nomination
Process
Conduct of CVR and PVC Collection
Exercise Parties Primaries: The Notice of Election
issued marked the beginning of major
Preparation for the 2023 General Election activities of political parties for the 2023
started in earnest with the Expansion of General Election. Therefore, in fulfilment
Voter Access to Polling Units. The exercise of the constitutional mandate of the
resulted in the conversion of 707 Voting Commission to monitor Congresses and
Points in the State to full-fledged Polling Primaries of Political Parties and by
Units. This was followed by the On-line extension, the requirement of the Electoral
Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) Act 2022 (as amended), the requisite 21 days’
which started on the 28th of June 2021 and notice by the Commission to political Parties
ended on the 31st of July 2022.The physical was adhered to. To this effect, an itinerary
capturing component of the exercise starts was drawn by the Department of Election
on the 26th of July 2021. and Party Monitoring for the conduct of
party primaries, indicating the monitors
The PVCs received for new registrations is and their schedule of Constituencies at
176,795 and PVCs received for transfers both the State and the Local Government
is 57,638 making a total of 234,433 PVCs Levels. A total number of 18 Political Parties

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

conducted various categories of Primaries Stakeholder Engagements

at different times and dates. Joint reports on
the conduct were written by monitors from As a tradition, the Commission in the
the Headquarters, State Office and EOs for State meets regularly with stakeholders to
forwarding to the national Headquarters. keep them abreast with the Commission’s
activities, programmes, and technological
Nomination Process: This was done by innovations. The meetings also serve
the political parties by uploading their lists as a platform for getting their inputs on
on the designed portal for nomination burning issues. Ahead of the 2023 General
of candidates by the commission. In Election, several Stakeholders Meetings
compliance with the new electoral act 2022 were held including the Signing of Peace
(as amended), Presidential and National Accord towards peaceful conduct during
Assembly campaigns by all political parties the elections by Governorship Candidates
started on the 28th of September 2022, and Party Chairmen. These meetings were
while Governorship and State Assembly also replicated at the LGA level by Electoral
campaigns by all political parties started on officers.
the 12th of October 2022. Campaigns were
conducted peacefully by all political parties Credible elections are always hinged on the
at all levels under the full supervision of the electorates’ proper understanding of the
commission as all parties were requested to electoral processes and procedures. Thus,
submit itinerary of campaign schedules. the Department designed and implemented
a weekly phone-in programme from
Section 88 subsections (2) – (7) of the new May 2022 to March 2023 on Amana FM
electoral act 2022 (as amended) set limits Gombe. This afforded the Commission
to campaign expenses to be incurred by the opportunity to enlighten the public
candidates. It is the responsibility of the on critical issues in the electoral process
department (EPM) to ensure compliance including the technological innovations
by all candidates. The tracking of activities introduced by the Commission and the
of candidates in terms of their expenses new Electoral Act 2022. The programme
on billboards, posters, jingles in the media boosted the confidence of electorates
was meticulously carried out to estimate in the electoral process and served as a
funds expended by both the party and the feedback mechanism for the Commission.
candidates in the conduct of the campaigns. though it was first aired on Amana FM
To allow for a level of comparison after the every Thursday from 8am-9am (English)
activities, the office distributed campaign and 12 noon to 1pm (Hausa), It was later
finance tracking forms for political parties, expanded to Jewel FM (Tuesdays, 11am to
candidates, and media houses for them 12 noon), Gombe Radio (Mondays, 5pm to
to fill and submit six (6) months after the 6pm) and Programme Radio (Wednesdays,
General Election. 4:30pm to 5:30pm). The audience reach of
the programme stretched to neighbouring
North-eastern States of Bauchi, Borno,
Adamawa and Yobe.

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The Inter-Agency Consultative Committee Development Initiative, Forward in Action

on election security was responsible for for Education Poverty and Malnutrition
designing and implementing election (FAcE-PaM) amongst others.
security strategy met severally ahead
of the elections. It also organised the Recruitment, Training and
signing of Peace Accord by Governorship Deployment of Ad-hoc Personnel
Candidates and Party Chairmen. There
was also a meeting with the Governorship Training of Electoral Staff: A Pre-Election
Candidates and party chairmen two days Training Assessment (PRETA) was organized
to the Governorship election to emphasize by the electoral institute on 27th and 28th
on the need for peaceful conduct by their Jan. 2023. It was during the workshop that
supporters during and after the elections. inter Departmental synergy was emphasized
for a successful conduct of recruitment and
The Commission organised several deployment of election personnel.
interactive sessions with youth-focused
CSOs, Gender-focused CSOs and Persons Training of Election Security Personnel:
with Disabilities (PWDs). Issues discussed The training of Election Security Personnel
during the sessions included: level of took place on the 3rd and 4th of February
preparations for the General Election, 2023 at the Hajiya Amina Hall, Bauchi
role of CSOs in voter sensitization, INEC Road, Gombe. The training was to remind
framework on access and participation of the participants on their responsibilities in
PWDs in the electoral process etc. safeguarding the entire electoral process
before, during and after the election. The
The NYSC-INEC CDS group also known need for the protection of Ad-hoc staff
as INEC Ambassadors were at the heart and election materials to have a safe, free,
of voter sensitization and mobilization at fair and credible elections was strongly
the LGA level. The Ambassadors who were emphasized.
deeply involved in Market Outreaches,
Church and Mosque Voter Education, Training of Supervisory Presiding Officers:
Motor Park Outreach, Street Walks, and The training of Supervisory Presiding
coordination of Voter Education Clubs in Officers took place on the 11th – 12th of
Secondary Schools contributed immensely February 2023, at the federal College of
to the success of the 2023 General Election Education (Technical) Gombe State, six
in Gombe State. classrooms were used which accommodated
60 participants per class and a big theatre
In collaboration with some Civil Society hall for gate crashers. The list of participants
Organizations (CSO), the commission had was pasted in front of the classes which
at different time’s organised road shows made it easy for everyone to identify
and market outreaches to sensitize the his/her classroom. Six local government
public in the build-up to the elections. The training officers (LGTOs) were given a class
CSOs included Lead tots Development to facilitate. Each of the selected SPO had a
Initiative, Dandalin Matasa Initiative for manual for his/her perusal.
Rapid Development, Brain Builders Youth
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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Training of POs and APOs: The training Deployment and Remuneration: The
of Presiding Officers (PO’s) and Assistant deployment of the Supervisors, RATECHs,
Presiding Officers (APO’s) took place in Collation and Returning officers was made
Gombe state across the eleven (11) Local by the State Office under the supervision
Government Areas (LGAs) on the 17th, of the REC. the Electoral Officers at the
18th and 19th of February 2023. local government areas posted the POs
and APOs with the approval of the REC.
Manuals were deployed for use for the POs Honoraria for Returning/Collation Officers,
and APOs. Pre-test and Post-test were Supervisors and RAC managers was settled.
also administered during the training at Ninety-eight percent of POs and APOs
LGAs while ICT deployed one hundred and have also been successfully paid except for
forty-five (145) BVAS for hands on practical beneficiaries in the First Bank whose part
across the eleven (11) LGAs. of Honoraria hanged, and the State tried
to sort it out with the NIBSS and CBN for
Training of Collation and Returning them to get their payments. Payments of
Officers: Training was organized for 354 the remaining unpaid two percent is on-
Collation Officers and the same number was going, and they were not paid because of
deployed to the field for the Presidential/ issues related to their bank details as some
National Assembly Elections. Moreover, opened their accounts with Kuda, Opay
a refresher training for COs and ROs took etc. which are not recognized by the formal
place on the 17th of March 2023 at the payment platform.
main auditorium of the Federal University
Kashere at exactly 9: 45am with an Receipt, Storage and Deployment
opening remark from the REC after which of Sensitive and Non-Sensitive
the Registrar of the institution drew the Materials
attention of the COs/ROs on the need to
pay attention and ask questions where they Receipt/Deployment of Sensitive
needed clarification. Materials: These included Ballot Papers
and Results sheets (form EC 8A Series).
Training of RATECHs and Technical They were always brought and kept in the
Support: Two hundred and sixty (260) vaults of the Central Bank of Nigeria in
RATECH were trained to offer technical Gombe where they were distributed in the
support on the use of the new technologies presence of ICCES members, Party Agents,
deployed (BVAS) for the 2023 General and the Media. The Resident Electoral
Election for the accreditation of voters, Commissioner, Administrative Secretary,
exporting of accredited data and the HOD Electoral Operations and HOU
transmission of election results to the INEC Logistics ensured that the quantities of the
results viewing portal (IReV) on Election materials were verified to ascertain their
Day out of which 160 RATECH were short- right quantities. Shortfalls reported were
listed for the work. provided accordingly. Sensitive materials
for Presidential Election were distributed to
the LGAs on 22/2/2023 to early hours of

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Wednesday. For the Governorship Election, Logistics Preparation

sensitive materials were distributed at the
CBN Gombe on Thursday 16/3/2023 and Transportation Plans: The electoral officers
dispatched to the LGAs the same day. Based were directed to forward their logistics
on the Commission’s approval, ballot papers requirement to the state office for proper
were distributed according to the number planning. Non-sensitive materials were
of Registered Voters and not on number of procured and brought to the state in
people that had collected their PVCs. good time. The REC set up a five-person
transportation Committee on the 21st of
Receipt/Deployment of Non – Sensitive January 2023 on the hiring of vehicles for
Materials: They were received from the the movement of Staff from the State to the
Headquarters in batches. They were LGAs and subsequently to the RACs and
sometimes brought through the Zonal Polling Units. The Committee was headed by
Store in Gombe or directly to the State the Administrative Secretary, with six terms
Office. These sets of materials were of reference. The NURTW and NARTO
received in good time in all the elections. State Officials were invited for a meeting in
They were distributed (full complement), respect of the MOU the Commission had
some few weeks to election. Some entered with the Unions. Modalities for
were being received a day or two to the harmonious logistics arrangements were
election, alongside sensitive materials. The outlined for successful transportation of
Electoral Operations Department had then men and materials. There were no hitches
a herculean task to distribute both. Any recorded or experienced in this regard.
shortfall noticed was immediately reported
to the Headquarters and was provided. Monitoring, Implementation and
Support for Field Activities
Identification, Preparation and
Activation of RACs and SRACs For proper supervision and monitoring, quite
a number of Staff from the Headquarters
A guideline was issued which clearly as well as various platforms under the
specified criteria for maintaining, relocating, auspices of the EMSC were used during the
or establishing these centers. In Gombe General Election to support field services.
State, one Super RAC was stabilized in This enhances proper coordination and
Gombe Local Government Area (Bajoga seamless exercise during the election.
& Ajiya) Registration Areas (RAs) at Idi
Primary School. The other one was a
relocation of a RAC and Collation Centre Implementation of Collation and
from Gona Primary School to Bogo (BCGA) Results Management Process
Primary School in Garko RA of Akko Local
Government Area. Funds for the activation The Commission conducted a two (2) day
of RACs were made available by the National training for selected staff from Headquarters
Headquarters. and State on Collation Support and Result
Verification System (CSRVS) between the

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

5th- 6th of February 2023 at Hilton Hotel in the two elections as shortfalls were
Abuja. reported in good time and responses were
received.
This was to aid the Collation/Returning
officers in the process of collation and Opening of Polls
management of result.
In respect of the opening of polls and as
Configuration and Deployment of monitored from the situation room (EOSC),
Accreditation Device most polling units opened between 8:30am
to close of Polls. There were few Polling
3,229 BVAS were received in Gombe State, Units that opened after 8:30am across the
i.e. 2,988 BVAS for each polling unit in the state due to difficult terrains. Most polling
State and 92 BVAS for Polling Units with unit were closed by 2:30 few didn’t close
large number of voters, and 149 BVAS in time due to BVAs malfunction that were
as Backup. SIM Cards with data installed replaced later.
were also received for all BVAS (9 Faulty
BVAS discovered during functionality test Voting Process and Performance of
were replaced by Headquarters before the Equipment
Elections). The BVAS were configured by
the ICT Staff based on Voting Points LGA The voting procedure used for the two
by LGA, charged 100% and then distributed elections was as contained in the election
to the 11 LGAs. The BVAS were used for guidelines of 2023 General Election
the Accreditation of Voters on Election i.e. the Continuous Accreditation and
Day. Additional BVAS were added to PUs Voting. The societal culture of the State
with large voters as follows: Akko =23, demands separate queues for both Men
Balanga =7, Billiri =3, Dukku =4, Funakaye and Women. That was adhered to. People
=7, Gombe =40, Kaltungo =2, Nafada =1 with Disabilities aged persons & Pregnant
and Yamaltu-Deba =5 Totalling = 92 BVAS Women were given preference to cast their
added to Gombe State. votes on time. Few cases of BVAS failure
were experienced. However, they were
Conduct of the Elections (25th rectified by the RA-TECHs who were on
February and 18th March 2023) ground in each Registration Area of the
State. The LGA-TECHS were also available
The deployment of personnel was done to handle such problems. In some PUs,
successfully though there were some few the use of the BVAS was avoided which of
cases of ad-hoc staff not reporting but were course results of such units were cancelled.
immediately replaced from the reserves
we had on ground. Most materials were Reverse Logistics
supplied on time where there was shortfall,
they were timely complemented. Finally, All the sensitive materials used for the 2023
we had no issues with materials (both non- General Election have been retrieved and
sensitive and sensitive) and ad-hoc staff are kept in the Strong Room at the State

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Headquarters. Non-sensitive materials that d. Over zealousness of some Security

are not consumables like the Ballot Boxes, Personnel.
Cubicles, and Generators etc. have also
been returned. e. Threats and counter threats by political
parties during campaigns.
Issues and Challenges Associated
with the Election f. Inadequate number of days for training
allocated for Polls Officials.
a. The following issues/challenges were
noted prior to and during the elections: g. Shortfall in the number of NYSC to serve
as POs.
b. Poor Network in some LGAs.

c. Difficult terrains in some LGAs.

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12.3.5.
Taraba State Mukhtar Gajiram Umar
Capital City: Jalingo Resident Electoral Commissioner, Taraba

Delimitation Data

16 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
6 Federal
Constituencies
24 State
Constituencies

168
No of RAs
3,597
No of PUs
2,022,374
No of Registered
Voters
2,010,425
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction the state office and in the LGAs preparatory

to receiving the outstanding non-sensitive
Taraba State is in the North-East Geo- materials that were yet to arrive the
Political Zone. With a land mass of state. Decisions taken at meetings of
54,473, the State has 16 LGAs, 168 RAs, 3 management and meetings with the EOs
Senatorial Districts, 6 Federal and 24 State focused on implementation of key activities
Constituencies, 3,597 PUs, and a total of that contributed to the success of elections,
2,022,374 Registered Voters. The number including trips to the Central Bank, Yola to
of PVCs collected was 2,010,425. inspect the sensitive materials delivered
for safe keeping.

Pre-Elections Activities Conduct of CVR and PVC Collection

Management Meetings and Audit of Prior to the launch of the CVR exercise
Electoral Materials in June 2021, trainings were conducted
in three phases for the RAOs in the state.
The State Office convened a series of Similar trainings were held at the LGA level,
managements meetings as well as meetings basically to expose them to the handling of
with the EOs to undertake joint review of the exercise. Following the deployment of
past elections to understand the challenges 55 IVEDS to the state, CVR commenced
and areas in which adjustments needed to at the State Headquarters and in the 16
be made for improved performance. The LGAs of the state, in accordance with the
meeting further undertook the task of schedules of the Commission Headquarters
assessing the state of storage facilities at in Abuja. The State office received delivery

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of 55 IVEDs, which were deployed to the from ATBU Bauchi. The state office trained
16 LGAs, each LGA have 3 IVEDs, among all the categories of personnel deployed on
which One IVED was stationed at LGA election duty, including security personnel
headquarters while two were devolved for trained at the state and zonal levels, the
rotation throughout the LGAs. Alongside SPOs, and all other categories mentioned
the CVR was the implementation of PVCs above. The trainings of the POs and APOs
with strict emphasis on registered voters were handled in the LGAs with the SPOs
collecting rather than the Commission and LGTOs handling the facilitation and
distributing. The state first took delivery of training.
19,640 PVCs as of the 16th of April 2022 for
the CVR exercise for the first and second Party Primaries and Candidates’
quarters the 1st and 2nd quarters, and further Nomination Processes
received 15,942 for transfers, correction,
and update of information on the PVCs. The state office, primarily through the EPM
and a team deployed from EPM in the
Recruitment, Training and Headquarters, carried out the monitoring
Deployment of Electoral Personnel of the congresses and conventions of the
18 political parties that participated in
The Commission had directed prospective the 2023 General Election in the state.
ad hoc staff to apply through INECPRES, a The monitoring exercise was carried out
portal established for recruitment of ad hoc the monitoring within the framework of
staff created by the Commission. It covered the 2022 Electoral Act. There however
persons who wished to participate in the challenges with respect to frequent
conduct of the elections as POs, APOs, changes in the dates and venues for their
SPOs, RAC Managers and RATECHs. The primaries, but because the monitoring was
eligibility criteria were developed as a guide mandatory, the Commission had to monitor
to prospective applicants. Subsequently, all the activities.
the list of ad hoc staff was forwarded to
states in batches for sorting, batching, and Stakeholder Engagements
training for deployment. The State office,
using the guide provided sourced ad- The leadership of the Commission at
hoc staff from the NYSC, Federal Tertiary the state level spearheaded the series
Institutions (FTIs), Federal Ministries, of consultations with a wide range of
Departments and Agencies, and State stakeholders for purposes of providing
MDAs, where necessary. However, the basic electoral information, and for building
recruitment of all Collation Officers and public confidence and trust. The range of
Returning Officers was however handled stakeholders include the political parties,
at the National Headquarters. For Taraba the civil society organization, the security
State, all Collation and Returning Officers agencies under the auspices of ICCES,
were recruited from Federal University and the Media, to mention but a few.
Wukari, except the State Collation Officer Frequent meetings were held with the
for Presidential Elections who was recruited ICCES members to address threats posed

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by security challenges to the election, and, Identification, Preparations and

particularly, to understand the emerging Activation of RACs and Super RACs
threats and means of curbing them. The
engagement with the NOA which became As required, the state office observed due
a strong ally in the voter education and diligence in the identification of new RAC
advocacy around peaceful elections as Centres, the EOs and RAC Managers worked
well as partnership with the FRSC for together to make them habitable with
the inspection of vehicles hired from the consumables that made overnight camping
NURTW and NARTO, all proved remarkably not only possible but enable activities
useful. Finally, on this, the Commission including refresher trainings to be carried
leveraged on robust relationship with the out. Consequently, all the 166 RACs and
media, for both awareness creation and the 1 Super RAC were activated and provided
mobilization of voters. with all the requirements. Unfortunately,
RACs located in remote LGAs and RAs in
Sardauna LGA could not be activated and
Preparations for Election utilized because of late arrival of sensitive
materials. Such RAs had to mobilize from
Receipt, Storage and Deployment the LGA Office to polling units.
of Sensitive and Non-Sensitive
Materials Printing of EVR
The state of the stores in the state office The ICT Department printed two copies
and in the LGAs eased the task of storing of the EVR, one in coloured, and the other
the non-sensitive materials, over 85% of in black and white, based on 12 and 16
which were received from Gombe Zonal voters per page respectively. However,
stores. Other materials were received from compared to the 2019 General Election
the National Headquarters. These materials for the printing of EVR, the budget in the
were batched and kept in the stores until 2023 General Election falls far behind. This
very close to the elections because of forced the State Office to source fund from
security considerations. It is however other sources to ensure that the EVR was
important to note that the distribution to printed.
the Local Governments posed a serious
challenge as the logistics for movement of Logistics Preparations
materials proved to be grossly inadequate,
despite the agreements reached with There were adequate transportation
the transport unions based on the MoU. arrangements for the movement of
As it turned out, it appeared there was a election personnel and materials, with
remarkable reduction in the number of particular emphasis on the movement of
vehicles approved for the 2023 General Collation Officers and reverse logistics.
Election. The Commission entered an MOU with
NURTW, NARTO and Maritime Association
to ensure that Election Officials and

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materials are conveyed timely and safely additional BVAS. Although there were
to their respective election duty centres. attempts to disrupt the process in Ussa
Based on the MoU, series of consultative LGA, where voters protested the mix up in
meetings were held with the leadership customized election materials, the situation
of these unions and details of agreements was brought under control.
reached were shared with the EOs to clarify
to all the parties’ duties and obligations Monitoring, Implementation and
on the Election Day. However, vehicles Support for field Activities
sourced from members of the NURTW
were inspected and ascertained for road- To fast track the process of Collation and
worthiness by officials of the FRSC. reduce the margin of error, two Collation
However, it needs to be noted that the Officers were deployed to each RA, one
Commission had difficulty in persuading for Presidential result and one for National
the unions to accept to deliver electoral Assembly results. Same arrangement was
materials and personnel at the price replicated at the Local Government level.
initially offered by the Commission. The In addition, each Senatorial District had
consequence was protracted negotiations a Collation Officer/Returning Officer. Six
over prices and eventually paying higher other Collation/Returning Officers were
prices than was envisaged by the budget. deployed for the six Federal Constituencies
in the state. RAs with more than 25 polling
units were also assigned additional Collation
Conduct of the Elections Officers.
(the 25th of February and
EMSC Platform
the 18th of March)
The EMSC Desk officer and the EOSC Team
Opening of Polls deserve commendation for monitoring,
tracking, and reporting on daily basis the
Across the 16 LGAs in the state voting
activities in the Green, Amber, and Red
commenced very early, because polling
Zones of the election circle. The platform
units staff deployed early from the
monitored the receipt and distribution
RACs in accordance with the plan of the
of non-sensitive and sensitive election
Commission. n all the 16 LGAs of the state,
materials and escalated all the shortfalls
deployment to polling units commenced
for necessary action. It also monitored
early. According to the information available
and reported developments on ad hoc
from the EOSC dashboard, at least 90% of
recruitment, training, and deployment. The
polling units in Taraba state. Continuous
EOSC Dashboard seemed to have had some
Accreditation ad Voting, as directed by the
network issues throughout its operations
Commission was used in the elections, and
and could not adequately track activities on
the state office implemented the imitative
the eve of the election and on the day of
of splitting overcrowded PUs with more
election as expected.
than 1250 registered voters alongside

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Implementation of Collation and election, Election Day and post-election

Result Management Process activities including the collation of results.
This performance was made possible the
The State Office ensured faithful working tools including computer system,
implementation of the results collation at all internet facilities, telephones etc that
levels and implemented the Commission’s were provided by the Commission in the
guidelines on management of results. The Presidential/National Assembly elections
exception to the general trend in Taraba were not reported in the Governorship/State
State where results were declared for all Assembly elections. Furthermore, through
the contested positions occurred in Takum/ reverse logistics, deployed materials were
Donga/Ussa Federal Constituency where retrieved after the first round of election to
the election was inconclusive. This arose prepare for the next round. At the end of
from the incidents of cancellation of results the elections, electoral materials that were
in Takum and Ussa LGAs in Chanchanji not consumables were retrieved from the
and Lissam RAs respectively. Furthermore, field and kept at LGA Offices and the State
results and election materials were snatched Office.
at Ussa LGA Collation Centre, which
could not be recovered for regeneration The state EMSC team was made up of
as required by law. Consequently, the fifteen (15) personnel, comprising of twelve
margin of lead principle came into play and (12) field assets, two (2) Data administrators
supplementary elections were held on April and One (1) state coordinator. To enable
15 for the final declaration to be made. the EOSC capture all activities on the
field, its operations was activated in the
Although there were challenges here and early afternoon of the eve of the election
there including cases of voters resisting to capture the movement of materials and
the use of BVAS in Assa LGA, there was a personnel to the RACs. The field assets
particular situation that deserves attention. were responsible for making direct contacts,
In Ussa LGA, accreditation and voting for using cells phones, to electoral field officials
State House of Assembly election did not to get direct feedback on the situation from
take place in three RAs - Bika, Januwa, and field. Such information from the field was
Kwambai – where the people abstained on threats, compliances or challenges were
from voting, as they have done since then passed the two data administrators,
1999, because of deep-seated political and the information helped the Commission
differences, but for the fact that it was a to take decisive and informed decisions for
voluntary decision by the people. proper execution of the election.

Operation of the Situation Room Issues and Challenges Associated

and Election Monitoring and with the Election
Support Centre
Despite the generally successful and
The EMSC functioned optimally in the peaceful nature of the election conducted
tracking and monitoring of the pre- in Taraba State, there were identified

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

challenges that have been noted as follows: thugs, e.g., Karim Lamido, where thugs
were reported to have attacked some
a. The Cashless policy introduced by the polling units and even a Collation Centre.
CBN largely affected the logistics plan
for the election as it led to escalation f. Some polling unit officials criminally
in the cost of hiring vehicles and other conducted accreditation and voting
services without a corresponding using the VIN on the EVR, thus enabling
provision in the budget to cushion the voters without PVCs to vote. To strictly
effect. Matters were worsened by the enforce “No PVC No Voting” slogan of
demand of some service providers to be the Commission, EVR may have to be
paid in cash. printed without VIN.

b. Since allowances paid to poll officials g. Some Collation Officers could not
have remained the same over time, the do vertical and horizontal calculation
Commission needs to urgently consider of results during collation and were
a review across the board to improve not knowledgeable enough about
the incentive regime. cancellation of results. This, coupled
with undue delay in the replacement
c. Improved training for a reasonable time of malfunctioning BVAS are obvious
over the use of the BVAS is needed challenges. BVAS failure or late
to enhance its overall efficiency in the replacement of BVAS is not a condition
electoral process. for cancellation of results. Guidelines
provide for countermand of election and
d. Delivery of sensitive materials to some not cancellation.
LGAs was late due to activities of
Motor Vehicle Unions. This late delivery h. The disenfranchisement of voters in IDP
prevented the utilization of RACs in Communities in four LGAs of Wukari,
some LGAs thereby also preventing the Ibi, Takum and Kurmi due to the inability
conduct of refresher training on the of the State office of the Commission to
operations of the BVAS at the RAC as respond to their request to be allowed
programmed. This could also explain the to vote calls for a review of the policy.
high margin of reported cases of BVAS
failure and result cancellations in some
LGAs.

e. Some polling units operated without

security. This made some of them easily
vulnerable to attacks by hoodlums and

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

12.3.6.
Yobe State Ibrahim Abdullahi
Capital City: Damatru Resident Electoral Commissioner, Yobe

Delimitation Data

17 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
6 Federal
Constituencies
24 State
Constituencies

178
No of RAs
2,823
No of PUs
1,485,146
No of Registered
Voters
1,437,851
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction 7th of March 2023 for ease of collection

by Electoral Officers the following day.
Yobe State is in the North-East geo- ICCES meeting was convened to review the
political zone with a landmass of 45,502 Presidential/National Assembly Election to
km2. The state has 17 LGAs, 178 RAs, 3 address the lapses identified in the second
Senatorial Districts, 6 Federal and 24 State election. And that was appropriately done.
Constituencies, 2,823 PUs and 1,485,146
Registered Voters. The total number of Conduct of Continuous Voters
PVCs collected stood at 1,437,851 in the Registration (CVR) and PVCs
period leading to the election. Collection

The CVR exercise which started on the

Pre-Election Activities 28th of June 2021 and ended on the 31st of
July 2022 was a huge success. As directed
Management Meetings from time to time, the state office devolved
the CVR exercise from the State Office
In the weeks and days, the Resident Electoral and the LGAs to the RAs. Both the CVR
Commissioner directed the management and the PVC distribution which took place
staff to inspect the sensitive materials kept simultaneously were quite challenging,
at the CBN, Damaturu. He also directed because of the typical mindset of Nigerians
the Ag. HOD Operations and his team to not to respond until the closure of the
batch the materials LGA by LGA on the exercise is around the corner. The office had

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to complement office staff at both the state and the Collation and Returning Officers
and LGA levels with serving corps members emanated from the INECPRESS data. In
to cope with surging crowds who sought to terms of trainings, the state office strictly
beat the deadlines. complied with the schedule received from
the Commission’s Headquarters. Trainings
Party Primaries and Nomination of security personnel were carried out in
Process the state headquarters and in the three
Senatorial zones, while the training of APOs
The Political Party primaries in the state was and APOs was carried out in the 17 LGAs
conducted within the time-line provided by with the SPOs who were earlier trained to
the calendar of election activities, between serve as the facilitators. For the Collation
the 4th of April 2022 and the 3rd of June and Returning Officers that were identified
2022, featuring the 18 registered political by the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University,
parties. Although the different parties chose Gashua, the training supported by staff of
between the prescribed direct and indirect Operation Department in the Commission’s
modes of conducting their primaries, the Headquarters in Abuja took place in
handling of the process highlights the Damaturu, the capital of Yobe state.
problem of internal democracy within the
parties. Added to this was the problem Stakeholder Engagements
created for the Commission’s monitoring
exercise by the incessant, indiscriminate, The Yobe state office of the Commission
and inconsistent change or shift of dates took stakeholders’ engagement as one of
and venues of the primaries reflecting the most important tasks in the effort to
the level of internal divisions within the build public trust and confidence ahead
parties. Despite these challenges, the of 2023 General Election. In order of
state mobilized the staff including the priority, stakeholders engaged included the
management staff to serve as monitors to political parties and IPAC, ICCES members,
augment the staff the EPM. The monitoring traditional and religious leaders, the media,
exercise was supported by Commission and civil society organisations, both urban
staff deployed from the Headquarters and and community based CSOs. The series of
the reports of the party primaries were stakeholders’ consultations, the Commission
submitted to the Headquarters. created public awareness around the
importance of BVAS accreditation as
Recruitment, Training and pre-condition for voting, infractions that
Deployment of Personnel amounted to electoral offences and the
sanctions, and all the arrangements of the
Based on the list of applicants for the Commission to promote inclusive electoral
different positions harvested from processes. Furthermore, the state office
INECPRESS, sorting was done according to leveraged on the willingness and availability
the posts applied for by the applicants. The of Government-owned media houses
total of 11, 755 personnel engaged in all the including the NTA, Damaturu and Yobe
elections except for RATECHS, LGTECHs Radio Broadcasting Corporation to carry out

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

mass public enlightenment campaigns, all of directly delivered to the Central Bank of
which made huge impact in the elections. Nigeria (CBN) where they were securely
stored until the election as it has become
the tradition. On the Thursdays preceding
Preparations for the the elections, while the political parties
Elections were around for the verification of the
materials before being moved to the LGAs,
Receipt, Storage and Deployment the INEC logistics team was on ground to
of Sensitive and Non-Sensitive facilitate the verification of the materials
Materials by the political parties, and to undertake
the sorting and distribution of the sensitive
The Yobe state office had overhauled the materials before they were distributed to
storage facilities in the office based on the 23 LGAs. This was the case for both
the directive from the Headquarters and the Presidential/National Assembly and
the accompanying funding support. Prior Governorship/State Assembly elections.
to the election, the state undertook a Given the customized nature of the sensitive
stock-taking exercise at the State and at materials, Electoral Officers were invited
the LGA Offices to determine the state of to be physically present in the inspection.
non-sensitive materials to determine the This method enabled the logistics team to
shortfall in terms of what were required identify shortages, mix-ups and printing
to conduct a successful general election. errors which were subsequently reported
Similarly, the State Office assessed the to the headquarters.
storage facilities in the office and in the
23 LGAs to determine the space as well as The sensitive and non-sensitive materials
the functionality of the Air-Cooling system, stored in the LGA offices were subsequently
especially considering the sensitivity of the deployed to the various super RACs and
BVAS. This exercise informed the request RACs and subsequently, from where they
made to the headquarters to address the were deployed to the various polling
shortfalls identified and for funding to put units in the state. The engagement of
in place complementary facilities that were RAC managers in the election assisted in
required. The improvement in the storage the safe keeping of these materials at the
facilities enabled the Commission to receive RACs. Special attention was given to the
and store the non-sensitive materials in sensitive materials, which were shared in
the batches they were supplied from the the presence of critical stakeholders like
Headquarters. On receipt, they were kept political party agents, security, international
in the available makeshift storage facilities and domestic observers, the media etc.
in the State Office before being moved to
the various LGAs in the state. Identification, Preparations and
Activation of RACs and Super RACs
The sensitive materials supplied from the
headquarters of the Commission, especially RACs and Super RACs were identified early
the Ballot papers and result sheets were and prepared according to established

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

guidelines. They were activated for use Assembly elections, the information that
with adequate security on the eve of each the Commission had increased payment
Election Day. Election personnel were made per vehicle by N5,000 triggered a revolt
to undergo refresher training and were as the agreement with the unions did not
deployed early on Election Day to the PUs reflect the increase. The revolt was nipped
resulting in timely opening of polls. There in the bud when the state office agreed
were adequate security arrangements at in principle to pay the new rate once the
the RACs and SRACs and vehicles were Commission made it available.
available to convey electoral personnel and
materials as escorted by security agencies Monitoring, Implementation and
to the various PUs. Support for Field Activities

Printing of EVR In the countdown to the General Election,

the management team in the office
Based on directive of the Commission, the engaged with the relevant staff to be
ICT Department in the state printed two deployed to serve in the centre. The in-
copies of the EVR, one in coloured, and the house training proved useful in the conduct
other in black and white based on 12 and of the election in terms of tracking field
16 voters per page respectively. However, operations. This enabled the EMSC team to
compared to the 2019 General Election for deploy the monitoring and implementation
the printing of EVR, the budget in the 2023 techniques developed by the Commission
General Election falls far behind. in tracking pre-election and election field
activities. In addition, the state monitoring
Logistics Preparations team comprising of REC, Administrative
Secretary, HODs and some senior staff in the
Building on the initiative of the Commission state office was assigned the responsibility
at the national level signing a reviewed MoU of monitoring the conduct of the election
with the NURTW and NARTO, the state on the Election Day. They were posted
office basically domesticated the MoU with to the various federal constituencies to
the two unions. The Office directed the ensure compliance with the regulations and
EOs to negotiate directly with the unions guidelines for the conduct of the elections.
at the LGA level and reach agreements The activity of the monitoring team was
with them, being the direct beneficiaries of guided by a check-list designed for the
their services. The successful agreements purpose focusing on critical benchmarks
with the unions led to the supply of 1,120 such as opening of polls, functionality of the
vehicles by the NURTW, while NARTO BVAS, security, activation of RACs, conduct
provided 34 trucks, which were paid by of personnel/officials etc.
the 17 EOs who had earlier been given
the money after deducting the 15% meant
for these unions at the national level.
While the arrangements worked without
hitches in the Presidential and National

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Logistics Preparations: note that such delays occurred only in

the Presidential and National Assembly
The distribution of non-sensitive materials elections.
commenced with the nearby LGAs of
Damaturu, Tarmuwa, Gujba, Fune, Bursari Implementation of Collation and
and Potiskum on the 27th of November Result Management Process
2022. It was done on continuous basis, as
we were receiving and deploying same to The teamwork in the state office in Yobe
the Local Governments. The challenge of enabled the REC and management staff as
taking delivery of the stocks disjointedly well as collation support team from Abuja
was experienced, yet we were able to to work together in implementing INEC
distribute them all to the 17 LGAs in the procedures and regulations on results
state on time. Some items were taken from collation and management. Consequently,
the Gombe Zonal Stores, while others were all the results were declared, including
directly from contractors. the result of the Presidential election in
the state before onward movement to the
Presidential Collation Centre, Abuja. The
Conduct of the General only inconclusive election was in respect
Election (25th February and of Yobe South Senatorial election because
of over voting. The result of the Senatorial
18th March) District election was declared following the
conduct of supplementary election on the
Opening of Polls 15th of April.
Given the level of preparation, especially,
Again, while the Governorship election was
in terms of logistics polls it was expected
successfully and peacefully concluded and
that polls would open as early as 8.30am
declaration made by the State Returning
for voting to commence. However, because
Officer, Professor Umar Pate, two state
of late commencement in the deployment
constituencies - Gaidam North and Jakusko
of sensitive materials which began on
- were declared inconclusive. This was the
Thursday, movement to the RACs and
consequence of result cancellations in 2
subsequently, the PUs, witnessed some
PUs in 2 RAs where the votes between
hitches. It should be mentioned that the
the leading candidate and the runner up
late commencement based on advice
were less than the total number of PVCs
from the security agencies. Similarly, there
collected in the affected 2 PUs. Whereas
was delay in results declaration sheets.
in Geidam North State Constituency, the
There were exceptions to this in Potiskum,
APC candidate scored 7,575 votes, the
Geidam, Bursari, Nguru, Bade and Jakusko
AA candidate scored 6,701 votes with a
LGAs, based on the confirmation from the
difference of 874 votes, while the collected
management team that visited several PUs
PVCs was 2, 271. In the case of Jakusko
in Damaturu Metropolis, and reports from
State Constituency, the Returning Officer
the Electoral Officers. It is interesting to
reported that he made the declaration

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

under duress, despite the fact that the of people to safer areas to vote in the
margin of lead between the APC candidate election.
who scored the highest number of votes
and the runner up from NNPP was 4,771, b. Late arrival of critical election materials
while the total number of PVCs collected at such as declaration forms, SIM Cards
Polling Units and Registration Areas where for BVAS, and tags for officials created
cancellations were made was 11,198. challenges.

Operation of the Situation Room c. The topography of Yobe state and

and Election Monitoring and the existence of difficult terrains like
Support Centre Machina, Yunusari, Yusufari and some
parts of Geidam necessitate the use of
The operation of the Situation Room and the only special type of vehicles called Zullu
tracking activity of the election monitoring in French. Trips to these terrains attract
and support centre demonstrated the higher charges.
importance of a mechanism for ongoing
filed activities for purposes of feedback and d. Unnecessary back and forth in the
real time response. The overall delivery of negotiations of fares between Union
credible elections in the state, including the leaders and EOs, that resulted in undue
success in retrieval of field assets timely delays challenging smooth logistic
enough for the Governorship and State operations.
Assembly election benefited from the
e. Lack of transparency regarding the
functionality of the Centre. The activity of
recruitment and training of RACTECs and
the Centre was further enhanced by the
their late deployment remains a grey area
monitors from the Headquarters as well
in electoral operations and highlights
as the management team that divided the
the unnecessary centralization of this
senatorial districts among themselves for
aspect of electoral operations by the ICT
the monitoring exercise.
Department in the Headquarters.
Issues and Challenges in the
f. Lack of network coverage in various
Conduct of Elections locations of the constitute a big
impediment to credible elections.
The experience in Yobe state during the
2023 General Election brought to attention
g. Untidy and confusing training schedules
old and new challenges that the Commission
among the different departments need
needs to address going forward. The
to be redressed.
significant ones include:

a. The persistence of insurgency and

associated problems of kidnappings
which rendered many areas unsafe
for voting, necessitating relocation

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12.4 North-West Geo-political Zone

Introduction zone has a landmass of 216, 065 km2, with
186 LGAs, 2,003 RAs, 41,671 PUs, and
The North-West Zone comprises of the 22,255,562 registered voters. With the
following 7 states: Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, total number of PVCs collected standing at
Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara. The 21,445,000, before the elections, the zone
had an overall PVC collection rate of 90%
as shown in Table 12.3 below.

Table 12.4: Delimitation Data for the North-West Zone on State-by-State Basis

S/N State LGA SD FC SC RA PU Reg. Voters PVCs Km2

Collected

1 Jigawa 27 3 11 30 287 4,522 2,351,298 2,298,365 23,154

2 Kaduna 23 3 16 34 255 8,012 4,335,208 4,164,473 46,053

3 Kano 44 3 24 40 484 11,222 5,921,370 5,594,193 20,131

4 Katsina 34 3 15 34 361 6,652 3,516,719 3,459,945 24,192

5 Kebbi 21 3 8 24 225 3,743 2,032,041 1,980,171 36,800

6 Sokoto 23 3 11 30 244 3,991 2,172,056 2,097,798 25,973

7 Zamfara 14 3 7 24 147 3,529 1,926,870 1,850,055 39,762

Totals 186 21 92 216 2,003 41,671 22,255,562 21,445,000 216,065

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12.4.1.

Jigawa State Prof. Muhammad L. Bashar

Capital City: Dutse Resident Electoral Commissioner, Jigawa State

Delimitation Data

27 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
11 Federal
Constituencies
30 State
Constituencies

287
No of RAs
4,522
No of PUs
2,351,298
No of Registered
Voters
2,298,365
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction NARTO, on how the two unions would

transport personnel and materials to the
Jigawa State is in the North-Western Local Government Areas and Polling Units at
Geo-Political Zone of the country with a appropriate date and time. The vehicles for
landmass of 23,154 km.2 The State has 27 such movements were provided on time for
LGAs, 3 Senatorial Districts, 11 Federal and the elections. As convened, Management
30 Constituencies, 287 RAs, and 4,522 PUs. meetings were held on:
The total number of registered voters in the
state was 2,351,298 as at the time of the a. 30/01/2023, concerning vehicles
election, with 2,298,365 PVCs collected. repairs Committee Inauguration INEC
Nasarawa State.

Pre-Election Activities b. 30/01/2023, with Electoral Officers

about PVC Collection, Election Security,
Preparatory to the Elections, the office training of election personnel, security
undertook the repairs and servicing of all consciousness of staff, movable and
vehicles in the fleet of the Commission in immovable electoral materials, RAC
the State. A total of fifteen (15) vehicles preparations, PVCs collection and
were repaired/serviced. The vehicles were Elections Security Trainings
used for transporting Election Materials to
the Local Government Area offices as well c. 08/02/2023, with ICCES members
as for monitoring and other interventions on PVC Collection, Election Security,
on Election Days in the State. The office training of election personnel, movable
also undertook the signing of agreement and immovable electoral materials,
between the State Office and NURTW and RAC preparations, PVCs collection and

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Elections Security Trainings. The primaries were conducted within

the agreed time frame while candidates’
d. 06/03/2023, with ICCES again on nomination processes were done in
review of election security preparatory accordance with the provision of the
to the 14th of March 2023 Election. Constitution and Electoral Act 2020 as
amended.
e. Election materials particularly non-
sensitive materials were audited, and the Stakeholder Engagements
finding was sent to INEC Headquarters.
The shortages were immediately Stakeholder meetings were held to provide
reimbursed. information to the public and to canvass
for a peaceful and successful election. Such
meetings were organized and moderated by
Recruitment, Training and INEC State Office Lafia where interactive
Deployment of Electoral Personnel sessions with Traditional and Religious
leaders was held at Ta’al Conference Hotel,
The recruitment, training and posting of ad- Lafia. During the interactive sessions
hoc staff was strictly done on INECPRESS emphasis was laid on the appeal for a
and in accordance with the laid down peaceful and violence-free, 2023 General
guidelines. The testing of the Bimodal Voter Election and, the importance attached to it.
Accreditation System (BVAS) preceded
by the mock accreditation provided the Preparations for Elections
leverage not only to test the functionality
of the equipment but also brought to the In respect of the 2023 Elections, the office
prospective voters the opportunity to undertook the repairs and servicing of all
interact with the machine. The distribution vehicles in the fleet of the Commission in
of non-sensitive materials was done in good the State. A total of fifteen (15) vehicles
time after ensuring that the needed security were repaired/serviced. The vehicles were
was in place in all the 13 Local Government used for transporting Election Materials to
Areas of the State. The operational vehicles the Local Government Area offices as well
of the Commission were repaired and as for monitoring and other interventions
used with funds made available by the on Election Days in the State. The office
Commission. Few days to the elections, a also undertook the signing of agreement
peace accord signing was organized where between the State Office and NURTW and
candidates in the elections were on hand and NARTO, on how the two unions would
did the needful. The event was witnessed transport personnel and materials to the
by the E. U. observers Mission that sought Local Government Areas and Polling Units
to know the level of our preparedness then. at appropriate date and time.

Party Primaries and Nomination Receipt, Storage and Deployment

Process of Sensitive and Non-Sensitive
Materials

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The distribution of non-sensitive materials the State. A total of fifteen (15) vehicles
was done in good time after ensuring that were repaired/serviced.
the needed security was in place in all the
13 Local Government Area of the State. Monitoring, Implementation and
The operational vehicles of the Commission Support for Field Activities
were repaired and used with funds made
available by the Commission. The sensitive The above elections were monitored by both
materials in custody of the Central Bank, Lafia the State and the National Headquarters
branch was distributed three (3) days to the Monitoring Team. The aim was to ensure
elections for both the Presidential/National that Poll Officials adhered to the extant
Assembly as well as the Governorship/State rules governing the elections. Applicable
Assembly elections. The exercise was done too, were the Commission’s efforts and
in the presence of all the Political Parties support geared to the implementation
contesting in the elections as well as the achievement for all field activities. Enough
security agencies, the media and observer vehicles were hired from the NURTW and
groups. The materials were escorted by NARTO for smooth logistics preparation.
armed security to the various 13 Local
Government Areas of the State. On Election Days, the State Office
monitored the conduct of election in some
Identification, Preparation and selected Polling Units across the three
Activation of RACs and SRACs Senatorial Districts, during the Presidential/
National Assembly elections as well as
All Registration Area Camps (RACs) across the Governorship and State Houses of
the state were prepared at good time, with Assembly elections.
provision of lighting, mattresses toiletries,
buckets, and water, among others. Such
RACs were activated in the afternoon of Conduct of the Elections
each Friday (a day before each of the 2023 (the 25th of February and
elections).
the 18th of March)
Printing of EVR Opening of Polls
All the EVR for 3256 Polling Units were There was substantial compliance with the
printed well ahead of time in coloured and provisions of the Electoral Act with regards
black and for the Electoral Officers’ and to the conduct of the election though
cross checking. the election did not commence early as
schedule for the Presidential and National
Logistics Preparation Assembly Elections. They monitored the
conduct of elections in various Polling
Preparatory to the Elections, the office
Units across the three Senatorial Districts,
undertook the repairs and servicing of all
during the Presidential/National Assembly
vehicles in the fleet of the Commission in

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elections as well as the Governorship and results, were satisfactory.

State Houses of Assembly elections. Other
activities included: Operation of the Situation Room
and Election Monitoring and
a. Deployment of LGA Techs and RAC
Techs to their various LGAs and RAs Support Centre
respectively.
EMSC situation room was set-up in time to
b. Rendering technical support on SCRs. monitor the real time election tracking and
reporting of Election Day activities.
c. Communication/Transmission of
accredited data on SCRs.
Issues and Challenges Associated
d. E-collation at RA level. with the Election
e. Uploading of EC8A results to the IReV. The degree of cooperation on the part of
the transport unions is not fully accorded
Personnel used these areas were mainly ICT as there is always conflict of roles between
staff, Corps Members, and IT staff of the the State branch and the Local Government
department. Materials and equipment were Area branches. To address the trend, the
sourced from old materials in the store and LGA branches and the Local Government
complemented from INEC Headquarters. Electoral Officers need to be fully involved
in the negotiations to curb the mutual
Voting Process and Performance of suspicion. The rate at which electoral
Equipment violence is on the increase with devastating
consequences of the electoral personnel,
The processes were handled from the grass there is the need to enforce the already
roots by the election personnel (POs, APOs, existing laws on electoral offenders to serve
RAC Techs, LGA Techs to Federal/State as deterrent.
Constituencies, Senatorial Districts and, at
State levels respectively). The Personnel Notwithstanding the hitches witnessed
were mainly ICT staff, Corps Members, in some areas, the 2023 general Election
and IT staff of the department. Materials in Nasarawa State was generally peaceful,
and equipment were sourced from old free, and fair to a greater extent. One can
materials in the store and complement boldly assert that there was substantial
from headquarters. The performance level of compliance in the process. The fact
of equipment while rendering technical that there was no case of inconclusiveness
support on SCRs, Communication/ in all positions contested is a pointer to the
Transmission of accredited data on SCRs, fact that the exercise had recorded a huge
E-collation at RA level Uploading of success.
EC8A results to INEC server, except for
Presidential and Governorship elections

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12.4.2
Kaduna State Auwal Mashi
Capital City: Kaduna Admin Sec. Kaduna

Delimitation Data

23 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
16 Federal
Constituencies
34 State
Constituencies

255
No of RAs
8,012
No of PUs
4,335,208
No of Registered
Voters
4,164,473
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction materials, the storage facilities in the state

office and the LGA offices as well as Area
Kaduna State is located within the North- offices that required renovation. Findings in
West Geo-Political Zone of the Country respect of shortfalls and the state of storage
with a landmass of 46,053 km.2 It has 23 facilities were accordingly reported to the
LGAs, 255 RAs, 3 Senatorial Districts, 16 Headquarters and appropriate remedies
Federal and 34 State Constituencies, 8,012 were provided. The audit and the range
PUs and a registered voter population of of activities identified to be carried out
4,335, 208. A total of 4,164, 473 registered went along to assist the state office in the
voters collected their PVCs. preparations for a successful election in the
state.

Pre-Elections Activities Conduct of CVR and PVC collection

Management Meetings and Audit of Kaduna State implemented the CVR to

Electoral Materials achieve the Commission’s desire to update
the existing register of voters. The CVR
The commencement of preparations for exercise was conducted from Mon the 28th
the 2023 General Election followed the of June 2021 to the 31st of July 2022. As
extensive review of the 2019 General a measure of the success of the exercise, a
Election to identify the lapses and lessons total 479,231 numbers of prospective voters
learned. This was followed by a meeting of were registered before the further clean
the State Management Committee and the up at the Headquarters. The distribution
EOs to take stock of available non-sensitive of the printed PVCs which was handled in

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strict compliance with the directives of the state office of the Commission. Based on
Commission took place first in the state post-tests admitted on the those who
office and in the LGA offices until it was participated in the trainings, successful
later devolved to the RAs and again back to ones were selected and posted to the
the LGA offices. various areas of need. Presiding Officers
were particularly selected from serving
Recruitment, Training and corps members following the same process
Deployment of Electoral Personnel of selection. The National Headquarters
carefully sourced the Supervisory Presiding
This was an indispensable aspect of Officers from relevant staff of the approved
preparations for a successful election, institutions and parastatals following the
and the meticulous handling immensely same process. The Collation and Returning
contributed to the success of the election. Officers were also recruited by the National
The National Headquarters of the Headquarters mainly from the Ahmadu
Commission depersonalised the process of Bello University Zaria. Furthermore, the
recruiting the ad hoc staff by opening an state office ensured implementation of the
On-line application portal popularly called cascade training as designed by TEI for all
INECPRESS. Following the download of staff deployed for the exercise.
the applicants from the portal, the state
office envisaged the difficulty of screening Party Primaries and Candidates’
the applicants and conducting training Nomination Processes
simultaneously. Consequently, the state
office sought and obtained approval to do The monitoring of political party
pre-training screening before the official congresses and the monitoring of political
time slated for the screening and training. parties’ campaigns and finance were
The management staff in conjunction with undertaken to ensure compliance with
the EOs handled the pre-training screening the laid down procedures. The eighteen
which helped in no small measure towards (18) Political Parties in the State began
determining the availability status of earnest preparations to conduct Delegates’
majority of the applicants. At the end of the congresses and primaries to elect flag
day, the recruitment of election personnel bearers for their Parties in the 2023 General
was carried out smoothly without many Election. The EPM Department received
hitches, and the Commission is to note the notice for the conduct of the delegates’
critical role played by the State Director, congresses and primaries for the political
NYSC, and heads of tertiary institutions in parties from the Headquarters and from
the state. the Parties’ State Secretariats in Kaduna
State.
Despite the non-availability of the
training manuals in expected quantities, The EPM Department began distribution
the trainings were carried out under the of the PPFT Forms to Political Parties and
supervision of staff from the National and candidates on the 18th of January 2023.

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The Head of Department held a meeting displayed professionalism and commitment

with the Chairmen of the political parties accounted for peaceful elections in the
and emphasized on the importance of state. Other critical stakeholders engaged
collecting, completing, and returning of in the build-up to the elections included the
all the PPFT Forms within the stipulated political parties for purposes of providing
period. The meeting eased the tension vital electoral information; youth groups,
experienced whenever the political parties women, PWLDs and the civil society and
are issued with the Forms and removed the the media. Stakeholders’ engagements were
disillusion that the Commission intends to complemented by a robust implementation
use these forms against them. The EPM of voter education and awareness creation
Department in Kaduna State was also able activities of the Commission. These include
to capture photographs of billboards of development and airing of jingles in different
candidates mounted across the State with local languages; effective use of INEC half-
the Electoral Officers in the twenty-three hour on television and radio stations, either
Local Government Areas involved in the sponsored by the Commission or donated
exercise. The billboards captured form by these stations; public enlightenment
part of the political parties’ and candidates’ campaigns using designated INEC vehicle;
campaign strategies towards the General and several sensitization workshops for
Election of the 25th of February and the women, youth groups and PWLDs; and
18th of March 2023. It however needs regular issuance of press statements and
to be noted that the EPM had difficulties briefings.
in monitoring the campaign rallies of
candidates of all the Political Parties in the
State as they did not furnish the State Office Preparations for Elections
of the Commission with their itineraries or
schedules for campaigns. In some instances, Receipt, Storage and Deployment
staff of the Commission were denied of Sensitive and Non-Sensitive
access to the venues of party congresses. Materials
These obstacles notwithstanding efforts
were made monitor and to document the The readiness of storage facilities made it
activities covered. possible for the state office to receive non-
sensitive materials which were verified to
Stakeholder Engagements establish their sufficiency for the elections.
The major items received included Ballot
Stakeholders’ engagement with the members Boxes, voting cubicles, assorted forms,
of ICCES was accorded high priority among among others. These materials came
others because the members are saddled piecemeal and continued to a few days
with the responsibility of mapping out before the election. As these materials
security strategies to safeguard the electoral arrived, they were batched into LGAs and
process before, during and after the deployed accordingly. It is important to
conduct of the elections. The engagements note that the bulk of non-sensitive election
and the fact that security agencies materials were deployed from the National

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Headquarters to the state office through worthiness of the vehicles. The drivers were
Zonal stores, and more often not, resulted further directed to report to the INEC Local
in the late arrival of such materials, and as it Government Offices they were assigned
turned out the state office had to decide to by 4:00pm on the eve of the election, and
bring them to the state office. there was substantial compliance except
for very few instances. A total of 6791
The sensitive materials were deposited vehicles were engaged for the electoral
at the CBN with the instruction that the operations and they successfully handled
State office could only carry out inspection the deployment of personnel and materials
when told to do so. However, because of including reversed logistics.
the quantum of materials involved, CBN
officials permitted the state office to carry Identification, Preparations and
out early inspection to determine shortfalls Activation of RACs and Super RACs
and ensure that such items were properly
batched. This enabled the deployment Based on funds made available to the state
of both sensitive and non-sensitive by the Commission, preparations of RACs
materials were completed on schedule. and collation centres were carried out to
The distribution of sensitive materials to ensure that all materials required for the
the LGAs took place with minor hitches activation of RACs and collation centres
occasioned by the inefficiency in the part such as water reservoirs, buckets, lighting
of the transport unions, but this lapse etc. were provided to all the 255 RAC
was addressed in the governorship/State centres in the state at the appropriate time.
Assembly election of March 18. The early All the centres were fully activated by the
commencement of voting in most PUs 24th of February 2023 for the election.
across the state in the governorship/State The RAC managers who were mostly heads
Assembly elections can be attributed to of the respective schools which served as
this. RACs, assisted by providing access to halls
for refresher training to the ad hoc staff,
In the negotiations with the NURTW and and by making the centres fully operational.
NARTO, the state office leveraged on the
MOU signed by the Commission with these Printing of EVR: Printing of EVR
unions at the national level. The duty of the
state office was therefore to hold series The printing of EVR for each of the
of discussions for the implementation of elections took was done in accordance with
the MoU at the state level. The outcome the directive of the Commission, namely,
of the discussions helped in no small one (1) set of coloured register with check
measure to address issues relating to late election check boxes and 12 voters per
opening of polls and other related matters. page and another one (1) sets of black and
Consequently, the vehicles and the drivers white register without election check boxes
were identified ahead of the Election Day, and 16 voters per page.
having subjected the vehicles to inspection
by the FRSC to determine the road

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Logistics Preparations Conduct of the Election

Prior to the election, the Commission (the 25th of February and
provided funds for the repairs and the 18th of March)
maintenance of the 25 Commission’s
vehicles in the State. The availability of Opening of Polls
these Commissions vehicles, the effective
implementation of the MoU with the Early deployment from RACs ensured that
transport unions and the initiative of the more Polling Units opened at 7:30am in
Commission with the NNPC for fuel and relation to the last elections. There was
the Central Bank for cash provided all significant improvement in the general take-
the environment that was needed to deal off of the whole voting process across the
with the nightmare of logistics that the State. The accreditation of voters, casting
Commission confronts in organizing hitch- and sorting of votes went on smoothly
free elections. after initial hitches encountered in failure
to operate the BVAS machines and were
Monitoring, Implementation and largely resolved by the RACTECs.
Support for field Activities
Voting Process and Performance of
The EMSC, an integrated structure of EMS, Equipment
ERM, EOSC and I-SANS was put in place to
provide enhanced framework for monitoring Kaduna State implemented IDP voting
and supporting the implementation of EPP. because of large populations of displaced
The framework strings together electoral persons that resulting from different kinds
processes, personnel, and equipment of security challenges. Based on detailed
with the necessary handles for tracking information on the scope of IDP voting
the implementation of election plan. in the state, Kaduna was designated as
This greatly assisted the state office in state for IDP voting, and, accordingly,
tracking issues and problems in the field participated in the discussions and
and enabling quick time response. During designs for IDP voting. However, due to
the elections, all complaints and problems activities of insurgents in some parts of
received through EOSC were managed and the State, provision of adequate security
solved. It is particularly commendable that for deployment and retrieval of election
the EOSC used the compliant Matrix and personnel and material was not possible in
Threat Reporting Matrix to log all adverse such areas and the Commission therefore
incidences, monitor time-line compliance approved establishment of Voting Centres
and provided fit for purpose support during in IDP Camps to enable displaced persons
the elections. The incidences which include to vote.
challenges of security or electoral violence,
ballot snatching, threat to election Officials, The available records show that a total of
BVAS malfunction etc. were promptly 125, 411 registered voters spread across
reported to the response team for action. 245 Pus, 36 RAs and 6 LGAs of the state

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

were eligible to vote under the arrangement in favour of the leading candidate in the
for IDP voting. The state office implemented election, according to the report of the RO
all the elements of the arrangements for that necessitated a supplementary election.
IDP voting including factoring in security A meeting of the stakeholders scheduled to
considerations, distribution of PVCs in IDP discuss the supplementary election by the
camps as well as civic and voter education state management in Ikara was violently
to enable women and men under conditions resisted, resulting in the Administrative
of displacement to vote in both the Secretary and other staff being held hostage,
Presidential/National Assembly elections until agreement was reached to the effect
and the Governorship/State Constituency that the supplementary election be put
elections. on hold to allow aggrieved parties to seek
legal redress. The consequence is that while
Implementation of Collation and supplementary elections were successfully
Result Management Process held in the other four state constituencies,
the issue of Ikara was yet to be resolved as
The collation and declaration of results at the time the State Office filed its report.
were done at various levels comprising
Registration Areas to Local Government Operation of the Situation Room
Areas, state constituencies to Federal and Election Monitoring and
Constituencies and from Senatorial Districts Support Centre
to Governorship as well as collation of
Presidential election result. Results and The design of the Centre to coordinate
forms were adequately received and tracking of field activities and providing
kept securely by the legal department. relevant duty owners in the electoral
This was carried out with relative ease process to respond to the challenges as they
and with minimum hitches in tallying of emerged became the first line of receiving
results vertically and horizontally, to align information regarding late commencement
with the electronic transmission of results of voting and instances of malfunctioning
(e-Collation) especially at the Senatorial and BVAS. This same channel of information also
the State Headquarters collation. provided early indications of cancellations
that logically resulted in the declaration of
However, at the conclusion of the some elections as inconclusive.
Governorship and state house of assembly
elections in the state, winners did not Issues and Challenges Associated
emerge in four constituencies because with the Election
of application of margin of lead principle,
a situation which occurred because of Despite what appears as a story of
incidents of over voting, violence and successful election in Kaduna state during
malfunctioning of BVAS. The affected the 2023 General Election, there are obvious
constituencies are Giwa West, Chawai/ challenges that need to be addressed. These
Kauru, Ikara, Kudan, and Sanga. In the case of include:
Ikara, a declaration was made under duress

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i. Violence and disruptions occasioned by such events to enable the monitoring of

the tendency for politicians to resort to same.
self-help at the level of the communities.
For example, in the state, there were iv. The challenges faced was on the issue of
disruptions at Polling Units and Collation ID tags where some Observers could not
centres resulting to destruction and get their ID tags and some of the ID tags
snatching of materials as well as forceful sent from the Headquarters belonged to
declarations under duress. Observers for other States. Also, most
of the party agents’ tags were defaced,
ii. Incidences of over voting and deliberate that is, the photograph was blurry and,
efforts on the part of politicians and in some cases, a particular photograph
their agents to prevent election officials was repeated for all the party agents
to handle issues in accordance with the tags for some Political Parties.
rules and procedures of the Commission.
v. There were technical issues that affected
iii. There are challenges encountered upload of election results to the IReV
with the Political parties with regards during the Presidential and National
to forwarding of their campaign/rally Assembly Election.
schedules to the State Office of the
Commission was enormous as the vi. Refusal of some SPOs to make payment
Department had to be on the watch of allowances until appropriate
for political gathering and bump into intervention by higher officials.

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12.4.3
Kano State Amb. Abdu Abdussaamadu
Capital City: Kano Resident Electoral Commissioner, Kano State

Delimitation Data

44 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
24 Federal
Constituencies
40 State
Constituencies

484
No of RAs
11,222
No of PUs
5,921,370
No of Registered
Voters
5,594,193
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction stock of available non-sensitive materials to

determine the short falls, and to brief all the
Kano state is in the North-West geo-political categories of staff about the need to support
zone with an area of 20,131 km2. It has 44 the activities involved. The Electoral Officers
LGAs, 3 Senatorial Districts, 24 Federal were mandated to brief their staff in the
and 40 State Constituencies, 484 RAs and area offices. Again, following a quick review
11,222 PUs. The total number of registered of the 2019 General Election to determine
voters in the state was 5,921,370, while noticeable lapses, the Electoral Officers
the PVC collected as of the 2nd of February were directed to draw the attention of their
2023 is 5,594,193, giving a collection rate staff to these lapses with a view to avoiding
of 94.4%. them and improving on the conduct of the
election.

Pre-Elections Activities Conduct of CVR and PVC Collection

Management Meetings and Audit of The state office implemented the CVR as
Electoral Materials determined by the Commission using the
INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED). This
The commencement of preparations for technology was used to capture all eligible
the 2023 General Election was kickstarted persons who had not registered before
by a meeting of the Resident Electoral the 2019 General Election and eligible
Commissioner with the state office Nigerians who turned 18 after the General
management team and the Electoral Officers Election. The CVR which initially started
to lay out plans for conducting hitch-free in the State Office and all the Area Offices
elections. Apart from the decision to take was later cascaded to the Continuous Voter

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Registration Exercise was cascaded to the religious leaders, especially the Jama’atul
Registration Area levels the convenience Nasrul Islam (JNI), Council of Ulamas,
of all eligible registrants. At the end of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN),
the exercise which lasted for more than a Imams etc. These religious leaders used
year, a total of 500,207 newly voters were the worship and prayer periods to mobilize
registered. The distribution of old PVCs their members to cultivate positive attitude
which went hand in hand with the CVR as towards the electoral process. The activities
well as the distribution of the new PVCs of these religious bodies significantly
was a huge success with a record of 94.4% contributed to violence- free elections in
collection. the state.

Stakeholder Engagements The stakeholders’ engagement described

above were complemented by the
Among others, Election Stakeholders’ Commission’s elaborate voter education
Forum was one of the important groups and mobilization activities put in place
that the state office collaborated with for by the VEP, such as production and airing
effective voter education and publicity of jingles, Radio and TV programmes,
in the countdown to the 2023 General production of posters and hand bills,
Election. Regular meetings of the Forum market outreach, stakeholders meeting,
enabled the members receive briefing interaction with women and youth groups,
on every stage of the electoral process workshops, LGAs outreach and sensitization
ranging from distribution of PVCs, calendar programmes, announcements, press briefing
of electoral activities, procedures of and conferences and interviews. These
conducting election and voting as well activities focused on collection of PVCs,
as electoral offences. The cooperation electoral offences and voting procedures.
of this forum was elicited based on the It is important to stress that the jingles
advocacy that the success of elections which were aired in both English and Hausa
does not depends largely on the support enabled the messages to permeate all the
of the stakeholders. Apart from the Forum, nooks and corners of the state considering
other stakeholders frequently consulted to that the enjoys a robust presence of TV (10
secure their buy-in included faith-based stations) and radio stations (21) including
organizations, the media and development numerous FM stations. Besides, there
partners. Furthermore, the Department were voter education activities targeted
of Voter Education and Publicity (VEP) at the PWDs and youth groups, provided
conducted a town and village hall meeting, opportunity for the former to be informed
road walks, and market outreach with the on the arrangements made towards
aim at enlightening the public to participate assisting them to participate fully in the
fully in the electoral process. electoral process like any other Nigerian
without much difficulty.
However, considering the sensitivity of
Kano State, the Commission accorded Despite the show of commitment on the
importance to consultations with the part of the security agencies to support

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the Commission in conducting credible the State. Generally, the conduct of the
elections in the state, wilful acts of Primaries across the State was peaceful and
subversion on the part of the politicians there was no report of violence during the
triggered violence in many parts of the exercise. However, it should be placed on
state. Indeed, regular consultations with the record that political parties do not comply
different stakeholders especially the political with their own constitutions and are not
parties with the support of the security accountable to their members.
agencies culminated in Peace Accord in
the period leading to the presidential and Recruitment, Training and
National Assembly elections. However, the Deployment of Electoral Personnel
peaceful atmosphere that prevailed during
the presidential and National Assembly As a means of infusing the process of
elections was marred by incidents of recruiting ad hoc staff, the Commission
disruptions during the governorship and opened a recruitment portal, INECPRES
State Assembly elections, despite additional (www.pres.inecnigeria.org.). The INECPRES
rounds of consultation held towards the served as the recruitment portal for the
governorship and State Assembly elections positions of Supervisory Presiding Officers
and the subsequent supplementary (SPOs)/ Presiding Officers (POS)/ Assistant
elections conducted on the 15th of April, Presiding Officers (APO)/ Registration Area
because of inability to make declarations in Technicians (RATECHS) and RAC Managers
a few Federal and State constituencies on for the 2023 General Election. The portal
the 18th of March. The Commission had to was opened on the 14th of September and
organize a crucial ICCESS meeting in the closed on the 14th of December 2022. At
office of Commissioner of Police, Bompai, the end of the exercise, 92,852 applicants
Kano, which among others, focused on successfully completed application for
provision of adequate security, including different categories of ad hoc staff. After
show of force in concerned areas and early harvesting the applications, a screening
commencement of polls. exercise was conducted for the applicants
on the directive of the REC to ascertain their
Party Primaries and Candidates’ eligibility and availability. The screening
Nomination Processes exercise which took place for three days
was held at the Bayero University, Kano and
A total of 18 Political Parties conducted three other higher institutions in different
primaries in the state into various offices locations within the state. The Electoral
including the presidential primaries, positions Officers were also directed to screen all
of Senate, House of Representatives, and those who applied outside the NYSC and
the State Assembly, between the 5th of the higher institutions.
May, 2022 and the 3rd of June 2022. The
primaries were monitored by the EPM, The recruitment of ad hoc staff was followed
supported by staff from the 44 LGA’s and by rigorous trainings for all the categories of
State Monitoring Teams comprising of ad hic staff such as the SPOs, POs and APOs
the Head of Departments (HOD’s) across in compliance with the training schedules

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as mandated by the Commission at the facilities in the State office to be put to

headquarters. These trainings conducted receive the non-sensitive materials which
with the full compliments of facilitators put were received four weeks to the Presidential
the commission in a good stead to conduct and National Assembly elections. The
the 2023 General Election. The last set of materials were distributed to the 44 LGAs.
training was conducted for the Collation Thereafter, Electoral Officers were directed
Officers, which like other trainings enjoyed to inspect the non-sensitive materials to
the full support of the Electoral Institute. It is determine the sufficiency and quality of
however important to note that the efficacy the materials, and to report the shortfalls.
of the training exercise was undermined by The feedback from the exercise informed
the inadequacy of BVAs deployed for the the request for the shortfalls from the
exercise and this probably explains some headquarters.
of the difficulties encountered during the
election. As a result of nation-wide shift in Identification, Preparations and
the date for conducting the governorship Activation of RACs and Super RACs
election, mandatory refresher trainings
were organized for the SPOs, POs and The State office faithfully implemented the
APOs. The refresher training provided directive to the effect that new locations with
ample opportunity to redress gaps that better facilities be recommended before the
were notice in the trainings that were elections to ensure that RAC activities are
conducted in the period leading to the fully observed and early deployment to PUs
presidential election on February 25, 2023. on Election Day achieved. Consequently,
Having successfully conducted the training all the RACs and Super RACs across the 44
exercises, a committee set up specifically LGAs were prepared with full complements
for that purpose posted the ad hoc staff of facilities working closely with the RAC
from the state office, while PU level staff managers, which made possible key RAC
were posted by the EOs. activities including refresher training.

Printing of EVR
Preparations for Elections
The ICT Department in the state printed
Receipt, Storage and Deployment two copies of the EVR, one in coloured, and
of Sensitive and Non-Sensitive the other, in black and white based on 12
Materials and 16 voters per page respectively. The
state office had to find ways of addressing
In anticipation of the movement of non- the challenge of the either the low quality
sensitive materials to the State and Area and/or near obsolete toners supplied to the
Offices of the Commission, headquarters state office. Furthermore, despite obvious
issued a directive to the effect that storage budget constraint, the two copies had to be
facilities in INEC offices be inspected, produced since the black and white colour
repaired, and expanded where necessary. EVR was needed for display to voters before
This enabled the Commission’s storage the Election Day.

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Logistics Preparations EC8 Series of result sheets was carefully

handled in the state office before onward
In the aftermath of signing the reviewed movement to the 44 LGAs. remained to be
MoU between the Commission’s sorted out. The distribution to the Electoral
headquarters in Abuja and the NURTW, Officers commenced on Wednesday, while
NARTO and the MWUN, the State distribution from the Area offices to the
office of the Commission held series of RAs commenced on Friday, and this made it
discussions with the NURTW and NARTO possible for the early RAC activation.
to agree on prices for undertaking the
movement of materials and materials for Monitoring, Implementation and
the election. The series of meetings and Support for Field Activities
consultations were particularly deal with
the challenge of offering the 2019 rates The activation of RACs and Super RACs to
for their services and the fallout of the be reviewed by the State Office received
currency swap policies, among others. The monitors from the Headquarters, Abuja
discussions in these meetings were based and with collaboration of the State teams,
on the determined needs complied from monitored the Elections at various levels.
the EOs across the 44 LGAs in the state. The RATECHS and LGTECHs provided
The vehicles made available were subjected technical support at the field. The elections
to road worthiness tests carried out by the were conducted on the 25th of February
FRSC whose partnership was leveraged 2023 for the Presidential and Federal
to determine the state of vehicles to be House of Assembly, and the 18th of March
engaged following agreements with the 2023 for Governorship and State House of
service providers regarding the costs of Assembly. All the supplementary elections
engaging the vehicles. were conducted on the 15th of April 2023
for 2 Federal constituencies and 14 State
Logistics Deployment house of Assembly constituencies.

The task of undertaking deployment of

election personnel and materials started Conduct of the Election
with discussions with the NURTW in the (25th February and 18th
aftermath of the signing of the reviewed
MoU based on which the union provided
March 2023)
services to the Commission in the 2019
Opening of Polls
General Election. While negotiations
with the union was ongoing, the state Despite the challenge of logistics in a few polling
office carried out the inspection of the units located in far flung areas with bad terrains,
sensitive materials that had arrived the the overall picture across the 44 LGAs was that
state in custody of the Central Bank. While polls opened between 7:30am and 8:30am.
sorting, each Constituency was marked and Voting Process and Performance of
packaged together for direct delivery to Equipment
local government areas. The sorting of the

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While the process of voting took place in Implementation of Collation and

a peaceful atmosphere devoid of major Result Management Process
incidents of violence during the presidential
and National Assembly elections on The adoption of simultaneous accreditation
February 25, it was not the case during the and voting as contained in the election
rescheduled governorship election on the guidelines and the efficiency of the BVAS
18th of March 2023. As a result of different technology contributed to making the voting
acts of disruption of polls including violence process largely easy. The few incidents
and ballot box snatching in some areas, the of malfunctioning BVAS and absence of
results of House of Assembly elections in major incidents of violence particularly
fourteen local government areas could not contributed to positive perception of
be declared, because of the problem of credible elections in the state.
margin of lead occasioned by the acts of
disruption. In the light of this development, Operation of the Situation Room
the Commission decided to conduct and Election Monitoring and
supplementary elections nationwide on Support Centre
the 15th of April 2023. In Kano state,
the problem occurred in two (2) Federal The EMSC turned out to be one important
Constituencies, Fagge and Tudun Wada/ mechanism for tracking field operations
Doguwa Federal Constituencies, and 14 in furtherance of the transparency and
state constituencies. accountability of INEC to Nigerians citizens
in the electoral process. Preparations for
The supplementary election, which was setting up the EMSC included training
scheduled to be conducted in fifteen of personnel deployed and providing
(15) local government areas covering 71 full complements of needed facilities for
registration areas and 205 Polling Units optimal functionality. Equally important
in the state, commenced as scheduled by was the conscious decision of the
8:30am. The election was peaceful in the management team to support the centre
morning up to around 12:30 afternoon and the personnel deployed from Abuja
where some isolated cases of disruption to make the Centre useful to electoral
at the process were reported. Cases of operations on Election Days. The real time
violence and disruption occurred in some information regarding field challenges and
constituencies such as Wudil, Garko, gaps in the availability or non-availability of
Ajingi, Takai and Gwarzo. However, despite both sensitive and non-sensitive materials
all these, elections were successfully enabled such emerging challenges to be
concluded, and declaration of results were addressed in real time.
23 made in respect of the Federal and State
Constituencies. Issues and Challenges Associated
with the Election

There were issues and challenges

encountered while conducting the 2023

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General Election that need to be highlighted and needs to be addressed. The tendency
so that remedial actions could be taken to is for politicians to mobilise thugs who
mitigate them in future elections. Resort cart away or burn electoral materials or
to self-help on the part of the politicians mastermind attack on electoral officials to
especially the deployment of violence to destabilise the entire process.
disrupt voting in areas they perceive the
opposition to be strong is a serious issue

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12.4.4
Katsina State Prof. Yahaya Markafi Ibrahim
Capital City: Katsina Resident Electoral Commissioner, Katsina State

Delimitation Data

34 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
15 Federal
Constituencies
34 State
Constituencies

361
No of RAs
6,652
No of PUs
3,516,719
No of Registered
Voters
3,459,945
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction with the rank and file of the Commission,

including staff in the Area Offices. The
Katsina State, split into 34 LGAs is in the plan for the implementation of the various
North-West Geo-political Zone with a electoral activities included state-wide
landmass of 24,192 km.2 The state has 34 audit of sensitive and non-sensitive
LGAs, 3 Senatorial Districts, 15 Federal election materials to determine shortfalls to
and 34 State Constituencies, 361 RAs, enable required and timely response from
and 3, 516 PUs. It has a registered voter Headquarters.
population of 3,516,719, with 3,459, 945
PVCs collected before the General Election, Conduct of CVR and PVC Collection
giving PVC collection rate of 98%.
The state office of the Commission
implemented both the CVR and the
Pre-Election Activities: expansion of voter access as parts of
preparations for the 2023 General Election.
Management Meetings and Activity The CVR commenced in June 2021 and
Plan ended in July 2022, while the expansion of
voter access to polling units resulted in the
The general preparations for the 2023 creation of additional 1,750 PUs. Despite
General Election built upon the series of this achievement, the CVR process turned
the reviews that followed the 2019 General out to be very problematic because of the
Election as well as the considerations of poor attitude of Nigerians until such as
the 2022 – 2026 SP, the SPA and the EPP time that the exercise was on the verge of
for 2023 General Election. The outcome closing. The surge of interested registrants
of the review exercise was widely shared towards the closing date, noticeable in urban

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and semi-urban locations necessitated of applicants that applied through

extension of deadlines. This same attitude the Commission’s recruitment portal,
was displayed towards PVC collection. INECPRESS. Applicants were screened,
trained, and subjected to post training tests
Party Primaries and Nomination and those who demonstrated adequate
Process knowledge and competence were appointed
posted accordingly. It is important to stress
The conduct of party primaries commenced the point that that as required by the
after the release of timetable for the Commission, priority was given to the youth
conduct of 2023 General Election. The corps members regarding the appointment
party primaries in the state involved the 18 of the POs, while other categories were
registered political parties, with the power populated by ex-corps members and final
to decide whether they would use direct years students of federal institutions.
or indirect met HoDs of conducting the These processes were followed by targeted
exercise. Accordingly, all the 18 political trainings and workshops were organised for
parties notified the Commission, and a functionaries of the Commission drawn from
comprehensive timetable was produced Operation Department, logistics officers
to that effect. The Election and party and state-level Training Officer at the State
Monitoring department was mandated to and Local levels. The trainings aimed at
monitor all the congresses and primaries improving their knowledge and skills about
elections of the Political Parties. At the end conducting elections with integrity based
of the exercise, only APC and PDP fielded on the new legal framework, technology and
candidates in all the elective positions. the regulations and guidelines developed in
the context of the 2013 General Election.
Recruitment, Training and
Deployment of Personnel Stakeholder Engagements

The recruitment of the different categories A wide range of stakeholders including

of ad hoc staff in 2023 General Election was the security agencies, political parties,
handled at different levels. For instance, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil
the recruitment of Collation, Returning society organisations, community-based
Officers and State Technical Officers were organisations, MDAs and international
done by Commission’s Headquarters, and developments partners were consulted in
sent to state office for training and posting the build-up to the election for purposes
to their respective places of assignments. of building public confidence and promote
The ICT Department in the Headquarters public awareness. Public events with these
determined persons that were appointed as critical stakeholders, advocacy visits to
RATECHS and LGTECHs. traditional in the two emirate councils in the
state undertaken by the Resident Electoral
The recruitment of SPO’s, POs, APOs and Commissioner, and outreach programmes
RAC Managers was basically carried out at embarked upon by the VEP ensured
the state level, based on the information adequate publicity and awareness creation

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among the voting population. The range

of issues addressed during consultations
Preparations for the
included the CVR exercise, PVCs collection, Election
and the role of BVAS in the conduct of
transparent elections, among others. Storage of Sensitive and Non-
Sensitive Materials
A substantial amount of time was however
given to consultations with the security The overall preparations for the elections
agencies under the umbrella of ICCES included a thorough assessment of the state
co-chaired by the REC and the State of storage facilities including in the state
Commissioner of Police. In addition to office and in the area offices. This enabled
the Police and the Army that were parts the state office to handle the storage of
of ICCESS, para-military agencies and the the non-sensitive electoral materials that
NOA and the NYSC were involved in the were received in batches from the Zonal
ICCES meetings which enabled information Stores and the Headquarters. The non-
sharing regarding hotspots which informed sensitive materials arrived in batches from
operational deployment of the security the Headquarters of the Commission and
agencies to provide electoral security in the from the Zonal Store. The preparations for
period leading to the election and Election storage also considered the sensitivity of
Day activities. It is important to note that the storage of the BVAs machine, while the
engagements with the security agencies Ballot papers and the result sheets were
took place both at the state level and the deposited for safekeeping at the Central
area offices levels and largely improved Bank branch in Katsina.
public confidence in the face of threats of
banditry and kidnapping in many parts of Identification, Preparation, and
the state. Activation of RACs & SRACs

Similarly, partnership with civil society The identification, preparations, and

organisations including the CBOs activation of the RACs and Super RACs
contributed to improved voter education followed an extensive review carried out by
and awareness. For instance, partnership the state office in conjunction with the EOs
with the Independent National Electoral about the existing locations and suitability
Commission Ambassadors Forum made up of the facilities. Suitable centres were
of CSOs, the Transition Monitoring Group identified in all the RAC’s were identified in
(TMG) and numerous religious organizations all the 361 RAs in 34 LGAs except for 10
ensured adequate awareness about the LGAs that were inaccessible because of the
electoral process in the countdown to the prevailing security challenges. Subsequently,
General Election. the RACs in the 10 LGAs were relocated to
safer places and converted to Super RAC’s
to minimize exposure to security threats. To
ensure that activation of RACs took place
to enable critical activities take place on the

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eve of the elections, funds RACs activation Monitoring, Implementations, and

were released early enough to the EOs. Support for field Activities
Logistics Preparations The state office received about 25 election
Monitors from the National Headquarters
The logistics preparations involved series coming from different Department and
of meetings and consultations between Units and they were able to cover all
the Commission and the leadership of the electoral activities in the 2023 General
unions with which the Commission at the Election. The monitors working together
Headquarters had developed an MoU on with the management of the state office
the one hand. The two Unions relevant ensured that all electoral activities and
to election logistics in the state are the guidelines were strictly observed and
NURTW and NARTO. On the other hand, adhered to. Not only were all the electoral
the Office carried out repairs and overhaul materials, items and equipment required
of the Commission’s vehicles using the were adequately made available, adequate
funds made available from Headquarters security was provided to ensure peaceful
based on estimates earlier submitted by conduct of the entire exercise.
the state. However, the state office took
the responsibility of moving NYSC Corps
Members from the state orientation camp Conduct of the Election
to designated areas of assignment. (the 25th of February, the
Collation and Result Management 18th of March and the 15th
System of April)
The collation of Election result was carried Opening of Polls
out in all the 34 LGAs, moreover the collation
of 15 Federal constituencies were collated The state did not experience any
at each Federal constituency level with fundamental problems of logistics such
the help and support of Collation Support that it was possible to open polls early and
Result and Verification System (CSRVS) commence voting accordingly. Available
personnel to checkmate the accuracy of evidence points to the fact that 85% of all
results,3 Senatorial districts were collated polling units was opened before 8:30am
at each of the Senatorial District collation prompt during the Presidential and National
centres namely (Daura, Katsina and Funtua) Assembly elections. There was even greater
in the state. The results were collated improvement in this regard during the
successfully from polling units to the final Governorship and State Assembly election
stage of collation in the state. because of the impact of the refresher
training received by the ad hoc staff, as
the rate of early opening of polls increased
to about 98%. It goes without saying that
early commencement of voting resulted in

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early and timely closure of the polls across from the floor management, contact
the state. persons and response teams pro-actively
ensured that timely actions are taken as
Accreditation, Voting process and soon as the need arises.
Performance of Equipment
Issues and Challenges Associated
During the accreditation and voting process with the Election
the equipment had performed wonderfully,
even though, some of the equipment had Based on the experience of the state in
shown a midway malfunction but the the 2023 General Election, the issues,
menace have been curved by technicians and challenges that that deserve attention
through providing replacement where include the following:
appropriate.
i. The persistence of violence, disruptions,
Implementation of Collation and and obstruction to the electoral process
Results Management Process because of acts of kidnapping targeted
at election duty staff, forcing election
Katsina achieved speedy, credible, officials to by-pass the use of BVAS, and
transparent, and accurate collation process outright theft or seizure of the BVAS
in the 2023 General Election. This is machines.
attributable to the efforts of the CSRVS
team that was deployed to cover the entire ii. While the use of the On-line portal for
state. The team provided adequate guide recruitment of ad-hoc staff has some
and assistance to the Collation Officer and inherent advantages, it poses enormous
the Returning Officer during the presidential challenge especially regarding the
and governorship election respectively. shortfalls in the number of applicants,
and the tendency to create last minute
Operation of the Situation Room efforts by the states to make up for such
and Election Monitoring and shortfalls.
Support Centre (EMSC)
iii. Early procurement and to some extent,
The Commission being proactive in the decentralization of procurement of
formation of Situation Room and Election certain non-sensitive materials are
Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC) necessary to avoid late arrival of non-
was deployed to track the implementation sensitive materials in the state.
of pre-election, election, and post-
election activities, and to ensure effective iv. Mix-up of the Election Materials:
communication between field officers, State Some of the election materials were
Offices, and the National Headquarters. not properly sorted; as such you find
The situation room and the EMSC recorded it difficult to finish the sorting in good
huge successes during the just concluded time because of the mix-up.
2023 General Election as all the personnel

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v. Non-Supply of Training Manuals in good be interested in the assignment. The

time hampers effective training of the ad problem was that a good number of
hic personnel considering that effective those on the list were not interested
raining is a very important factor for the in the job, so they did not show up for
success of any election. Alongside this, training.
is the need to review the number of
days for training with adequate number viii.The Commission needs to find ways
of BVAS. of enforcing the letter and spirit of the
MoU signed with the NURTW/NATO to
vi. Despite the advantages associated with address the perennial disappointment
E-Payment of ad hoc staff, it needs from these critical service providers.
further review.
ix. Lack of adequate funds for the purpose
vii. Late release of Collation Officers’ list of Voter Education and Publicity in the
constitutes a problem, because. Many electoral activities.
of those included in list turn out not to

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12.4.5
Kebbi State Mahmud Bello Ahmed
Capital City: Birnin-Kebbi Resident Electoral Commissioner, Kebbi State

Delimitation Data

21 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
8 Federal
Constituencies
24 State
Constituencies

225
No of RAs
3,743
No of PUs
2,032,041
No of Registered
Voters
1,980,171
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction and the field staff under the auspices of

the EOs accounted for the success of the
Kebbi State is in the North-West geo- elections. Regular review of the state of
political zone of the country with a landmass preparations, including stock-taking of the
of 36,800 km2. The State has 21 LGAs, 3 storage facilities and constant liaison efforts
Senatorial Districts, 8 Federal and 24 State and information sharing at levels ensured
Constituencies, 255 RAs, and 3,743 PUs. that the state and LGA offices were in the
With a total of 2,032,041 registered voters, position to take delivery, especially of the
1,980,172 PVCs were collected, giving a non-sensitive materials.
collection rate of 97%.

Conduct of CVR and PVC Collection

Pre-Elections Activities
The importance of CVR during any electoral
Management Meetings and Audit of cycle cannot be over emphasized because
Electoral Materials it enables regular update of voter register
to maintain its integrity as new registrants
At the heart of the success of the are captured and dead persons are
2023 General Election in Kebbi state is removed from the electoral roll. The CVR
the leadership provided by the Office and the PVC collection were implemented
Management Team, under the auspices alongside to allow for optimum utilization
of the REC. Simultaneous engagements of personnel. The Kebbi state of the
between the Management Team and staff Commission started implementation from
in the State office on the one hand, and the 28th of June 2021 until the final closure
between the State Management Team on the 31st of July 2022. The remarkable

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achievement of the state in this direction here that the elections benefited from the
was made possible because of the extensive trainings conducted as determined by the
sensitization of the electorates through the Commission’s Headquarters.
radio, television, street/market outreach,
citizen mobilization through traditional Party Primaries and Candidates’
and religious leaders and working with Nomination Processes
women and youth organisations, to create
awareness for eligible persons to register The registered political parties in the state
and for those whose PVCs had been printed conducted their Congresses and Primaries
to collect their PVCs. In addition, the state at different times and dates in designated
office enjoyed the tremendous support of venues and all were monitored by the EPM
relevant government agencies, especially supported by the Management Team, the
the NOA whose personnel made joint staff deployed from Abuja, and the EOs at
appearances with staff of VEP Department the LGA level. The reports as compiled and
on numerous radio and other awareness sent the Headquarters indicate that most
creation platforms. of them carried out these exercises with
substantial compliance to the laid down
Recruitment, Training and procedures.
Deployment of Electoral Personnel
Stakeholder Engagements
To make the recruitment of ad-hoc staff for
the 2023 General Election better and less The importance of stakeholders’
cumbersome, the Commission developed consultations cannot be overemphasized
a recruitment portal called INECPRESS, in so far as it provides the most congenial
through which interested persons applied for platform to provide basic information
positions such as POs, APOs and SPOs. The regarding the electoral process, including
portal provided the relevant qualifications the voting procedures and processes as well
for the different positions. To accommodate as the role of the different stakeholders.
corps members who could be potentially Among others, priority was accorded
excluded, Google Sheet was used for them engagements with the members of ICCES,
to apply to be eligible for recruitment. The SICVEP and (LICVEP), for partnership that
COs and the ROs were mainly sourced from focused on election security and civic and
the Federal Universities in Kebbi and Zuru. voter education. In all this, it is important
However, the training of all categories of to note that public enlightenment received
election personnel was carried out at two attention with special focus on prominent
levels, in the headquarters, Birnin Kebbi Chiefs and Emirs in the State. The four
and the 21 LGAs at the different dates as Emirate Councils that make up the State
contained in the training schedule from the Council of Chiefs in the State were visited at
Headquarters. Both training and facilitation different dates by the team led by the REC
were undertaken by training officers at during which issues such as the distribution
the state and local levels, supported by and update on PVCs and CVR, and the use
personnel of TEI. It is important to add of BVAS.

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Engagements with the stakeholders was

enhanced by the partnership created
Preparations for Election
with the media organisations in the state Receipt, Storage and Deployment
which provided reach to the grassroots
of Sensitive and Non-Sensitive
level. Among others, Vision Radio, Kebbi
Materials
Broadcasting Corporation, and Equity FM
provided ready platforms on which the staff It would be recalled that as part of the
of VEP and the REC of the state explained overall preparations for the election,
the unique elements of the 2023 General storage facilities at the state office and
Election to the voters. These same platforms the LGA offices were put in a state of
were used for the airing of INEC jingles readiness to receive both non-sensitive and
which were done largely at prime time. It sensitive materials as they came in waves.
was established while implementing INEC The preparations put into consideration
voter education and awareness programme the special requirements for the storage
that weekly phone-in programmes where of the BVAS machines. Consequently, it
voters and people of Kebbi State freely was possible to receive and store the non-
asked questions and expressed their sensitive materials, while the 4,021 BVAS
feelings to the Commission was one of the received were securely stored in the state
most effective initiatives. office.
Advocacy campaigns targeted at specific
Identification, Preparations and
groups such as the PWDs was accorded high
Activation of RACs and Super RACs
priority for purposes of creating awareness
around efforts by the Commission to make
Following the directives by the Commission
the voting process more friendly in terms of
for the activation of RACs on the eve of
voting aids such as magnifying glasses and
the Election Days, the State took steps
Braille ballots as well as introduction of sign
to activate the existing 225 RAs., which
language at Collation Centres to enable
included relocated RACs for varying
some categories of PWDs follow scores
reasons as directed by the Commission. The
tabulation and aggregation. was used to
RACs were established precisely to ease
interpret scores received during Collation.
logistics problems, particularly to enable
NGOs/CSOs such as Transparency
early opening of polls and commencement
Watch, FOMWAN and TMG supported
of voting. Considering that functional
the advocacy work of the Commission at
operation of the RACs have become the
different levels. Not surprisingly, the state
pivot of our operational efficiency, adequate
recorded low incidents of void ballots at the
deployment of security agency became
polls and improved orderliness recorded in
an important element of the preparations
the polling units.
of RACs. To ensure the activation of
RACs, therefore, needed funds were made
available to the EOs for the procurement
of RACs materials. The adequacy and

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

timeliness of the preparations of the Monitoring, Implementation and

RACS enabled early activation of RACS on Support for Field Activities
the Fridays preceding the elections, and
the conduct of RACs activities including The experience in the 2023 General Election
refresher trainings. brought into clear relief, the importance of
the Election Monitoring and Support Centre.
As it turned out, the Centre basically served
Conduct of the General as the oversight mechanism over field
Election (the 25th of operations in the elections. The selected
February and the 18th of Staff trained on the working and operations
of the Election Monitoring and Support
March) Centre (EMSC) provided tremendous
assistance in terms of tracking field
Opening of Polls activities, providing real time information
regarding incidents, and enabling relevant
It is significant to note that the delivery duty owners to provide timely responses.
and distribution of Sensitive Materials This was well complemented by the
were carried out in the presence of Political establishment of the Situation Room in
Parties Agents, Election Observers, Security, the state office where problems associated
and the Media at Central Bank Birnin with the elections were easily identified and
Kebbi, while the delivery and distribution of solutions instantly offered. Consequently,
materials to RACs at local Government Level response to issues and challenges such as
was equally witnessed by Party Agents as the menace of thugs, late deployment of
well as the DPO, O/C SSS and O/C NSCDC, men and materials, inadequacy of election
were present to witness the exercise. materials and mix up in materials were
easily addressed.
Logistic Preparations
Voting Process and Performance of
The success of logistics preparations for the
election in the state leveraged on the MoU
Equipment
signed by the Commission with NURTW
Accreditation and Voting exercise
and NARTO in the 2019 General Election,
commenced on scheduled time of 8.30am
but which was reviewed in the countdown
in most of the PUs across the LGAs. The
to the 2023 General Election. The faithful
voting process witnessed high turnout of
implementation of the MoU, which included
voters, and crowd control became a major
signing of contracts between the service
challenge to both security personnel and
providers and the EOs at the LGA level
the polling officials in some of the PUs.
ensured that the former was accountable
Furthermore, the high level of functionality
to the latter. Without glaring and recorded
of the BVAS machine as reported all over
hitches, both the sensitive and non-
the state, the entire process was credible.
sensitive were deployed to the 21 LGAs in
the state.

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Implementation of Collation and House of Representative seats - Arewa/

Result Management Process Dandi and Koko/Besse, in addition to 1
State Constituency Seat. These elections
The State office diligently followed were all concluded in the supplementary
the collation and results management elections of April 15th and returns were
procedures well laid out in INEC regulations made accordingly.
and guidelines including the interpretation
of the principle of margin of lead. The Operation of the Situation Room
rigorous trainings of COs and ROs paid and Election Monitoring and
detailed attention to this aspect of electoral Support Centre
operations in the trainings. This was borne
out in the absence of hitches during the The EOSC functioned optimally in the
Presidential/National Assembly elections tracking and monitoring of the pre-
conducted on the 25th of February election, Election Day and post-election
2023. This situation changed during the activities including the collation of results
Governorship and State Assembly elections and disputes that occur around over voting
on March 18 where incidents of over and cancellations of results. The state
voting and cancellation of results led to the office with the support of Headquarters,
targeting of election personnel. This was especially Operations Department set up
particularly the situation in Yauri and Ngaski the Centre with the full compliments of
LGAs where confusions arising therefrom gadgets and personnel. Apart from using the
resulted in threats to electoral personnel tracking mechanism to ensure successful
before the deployment of security reverse logistics, it enabled the State Office
personnel to protect such endangered to monitor, report challenges and the
election personnel. opportunity for responding timorously. It
is important to note that early forebodings
The electoral malfeasance that occurred about field challenges that resulted in
in the 2 LGAs rendered the outcome of inconclusive elections came from effective
the Governorship and some National and tracking of field operations.
State Assembly elections inconclusive.
The Governorship election was rendered Issues and Challenges Associated
inconclusive because of cancellations with the Election
affecting 90 RAs and 142 PUs spread
across 20 LGAs. It was in the aftermath of There are many noticeable challenges
the supplementary election conducted on during the 2023 General Election, the chief
April 15th that it was possible to declare the ones being the following:
winner of the Governorship election. All
these elections were concluded during the
supplementary on 15th of April 2023. On i. The challenge of ad-hoc staff payment
the other hand, the inconclusive legislative is quite high. The problem arises from
elections occurred in respect of Kebbi a few factors including submission of
North Senatorial District and 2 Federal wrong account details, presentation

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of borrowed account numbers from running away.

parents and friends as well submission
of non-existence of account numbers. iii. There is also the challenge of vote buying
and the way in which the monetization
ii. Thuggery and violence used by the of the electoral process affects the
members of the political class to disrupt choice that voters make. challenges
elections remains a key challenge that encountered during the elections of
needs to be overcome. In Fakai LGA, a 2023 were mainly political thuggery and
voter was short dead while attempting vote buying.
to snatch a ballot box and seized a
policeman’s rifle with the intention of

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12.4.6
Sokoto State Hauwa Aliyu Kangiwa
Capital City: Sokoto Admin Sec. Sokoto State

Delimitation Data

23 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
11 Federal
Constituencies
30 State
Constituencies

244
No of RAs
3,991
No of PUs
2,172,056
No of Registered
Voters
2,097,798
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction despite plea by the Management headed by

the Administrative Secretary for the REC to
Sokoto State is in Nigeria’s North-West run an all-inclusive Administration. This was
Geo-political Zone. With a land area of a week to the Presidential Election. That
25,973 km2, the State has 21 LGAs, 3 notwithstanding the EOPs Department
Senatorial Districts, 11 Federal and 25 State regularly consult the Electoral Officers
Constituencies, 244 RAs and 3,991 PUs. (EOs) in readiness for the Election. Also
According to the 2006 National Population worthy of note is, total renovations of some
Census, the State has a provisional Local Government Offices were made to
population figure of 3,696,99. The total ensure conducive atmosphere for staff
number of registered voters was 2,172,056, and materials to be used for the elections.
with 2,097,798 persons collecting their Tureta and Dange-Shuni Local Government
PVCs. areas enjoyed total construction, while
Binji, Bodinga, Gada, Kebbe, Shagari and
Sokoto South Local Government offices
Pre-Elections Activities were renovated. Following the challenges
experienced during the Presidential
Management Meetings and Audit of Election, a team of senior officials from the
Electoral Materials commission’s headquarters led by National
Commissioner Major General M. A. Alkali
In preparation for the General Election, mni (rtd) in the preparations for and conduct
it must be emphasized here that no of the Governorship and State House of
management meetings were ever called by Assembly election. She was also requested
the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) to take full responsibility of all issues of

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

administration and Election pending when The CVR exercise has been divided into
the commission directs otherwise. Non- four (4) quarters listed as follows: -
sensitive electoral materials happened to
be available in the store of the state and 1. First Quarter:
some local government offices. A team
was sent to LGA offices to audit non- Registration of Voters from the 28th of
sensitive materials available for election. June to the 21st of September 2021, with
Where deficit exist, supplementary was the display of the register for Claims and
released from the stores to augments. Full Objections from the 24th to the 30th of
compliments of non-sensitive materials September 2021 and the Registered Voters
were received from the headquarters and recorded for Sokoto was 24,378 Voters
distributed for the elections. before ABIS.

Conduct of CVR and PVC Collection 2. Second Quarter:

In line with the provision of section 10(1) Registration of Voters from the 4th of
of the Electoral Act 2022, the Independent October to the 20th of December 2021
National Electoral Commission (INEC) with the display of the register for Claims
resumed the Continuous Voter Registration and Objection from the 24th to the 30th of
(CVR) exercise for 2021/2022. It was December 2021 with the Registered Voters
resumed after the conclusion of the of 19,529 before ABIS.
expansion of Voter access to Polling Units,
where for the first time, the Commission 3. Third Quarter:
succeeded in creating more polling units
Registration of Voters from the 3rd of
totalling 56,846 nationwide while Sokoto
January to the 22nd of March 2022 with
State has 3,991 Polling Units currently
the Display of the register for Claims and
which was used in the conduct of 2023
Objection from the 26th of March to the 1st
General Election.
of April 2022 and the Registered Voters is
The 2021/22 CVR exercise which was to 28,349 before ABIS.
run from the 28th of June 2021 to the 30th
4. Fourth Quarter with extension:
of July 2022 was in three folds beginning
with the introduction of the novel online
Registration of Voters from the 11th of
registration. The phases are as follows:
April to the 30th of July 2022 has 177,940
Registered Voters before ABIS. Conclusively,
i. On-line registration which commenced
the entire CVR exercise in Sokoto State has
on Monday, the 28th of June 2021.
the record of 250,196 Registered Voters
ii. Physical/In-person registration at the before ABIS.
INEC state and Local Government Area
offices which commenced on Monday,
the 26th of July 2021.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Recruitment, Training and 4th of February 2023. Summary of training

Deployment of Electoral Personnel categories is shown in the table below:

The major objective of the training of the Recruitment for Electoral Staff in this
electoral personnel is to provide requisite election was done in line with the laid down
skill, knowledge and demonstrate ability to procedure adopted by the commission.
organize, conduct and facilitate training on The applicant’s data was harvested from
polling and counting procedures for the 2023 INECPRESS. The number of applicants
General Election effectively and efficiently. from the portal stood at 44,653 out of
The objective was achieved using cascade which 2,234 applicants applied for the post
training approach beginning with master of Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO).
trainers comprising State Training Officers Screening of Ad hoc staff was done at LGA
(STO) and Assistant State Training Officers level by the LGA Electoral officers.
(ASTO), Local Government Training Officers
(LGTOs), Supervisory Presiding Officers Party Primaries and Candidates’
(SPOs) and Poll officials (POs). Training took Nomination Processes
place in Sokoto State to pass information
on the implementation of the elaborate The Commission released the timetable
preparations and innovation introduced by for the conduct of the 2023 General
the commission for successful conduct of Election in February 2022, exactly a year
2023 General Election. The training covers to the election. Eighteen (18) registered
many polling workers that was deployed political parties fielded candidates for the
during elections. 2023 General Election in accordance with
the provision of the 2022 electoral act (as
The Cascade Training Plan is an approach amended). In Sokoto State, all the eighteen
where the training is cascaded gradually (18) registered political parties adhered to
from the top to the bottom. The plan was the timetable and schedules of activities for
used in INEC Sokoto State for the 2023 the 2023 General Election which require
General Election, and it entails training the political parties to hold their primaries for
Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs) by the nomination of candidates within two (2)
the LGTOs under the supervision of STO/ months from the 1st of April 2022 to the
ASTO, while the SPOs in turn trained the 31st of May 2022.
Presiding Officers (POs) and Assistant
Presiding Officers (APOs) at a designated Consequently, all the eighteen (18) political
centres in their respective local government parties in Sokoto State have notified the
areas. commission of their plan of action and a
comprehensive timetable was approved
To ensure a hitch free 2023 General to that effect. A total of thirteen (13)
Election in Sokoto State, the commission candidates were nominated by political
has organized a two-day training for parties to contest for governorship in
Election Security Personnel at Umaru Ali Sokoto State, twenty-three (23), seventy-
Shinkafi Polytechnic, Sokoto on the 3rd and eight (78) and one hundred and forty-eight

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

(148) candidates were nominated by their (EU) were on ground in Sokoto State and
political parties to contest for Senate, have successfully observed the entire
House of Representatives and State House process of the 2023 General Election.
of Assembly elections respectively. The
Election and Party Monitoring Department Polling agents that uploaded their data on
(EPM) had adequately monitored all the the Commissions’ portal were also issued
congresses and primary elections of the with customized tags. This was to bring
political parties in the State as indicated in sanity and to check the excesses of party
the table 6 below: agents at the polling units during the voting
process. A total of Thirty-One Thousand,
In addition to Monitoring congresses Nine Hundred and Twenty (31,920) Polling
and political party primaries, the EPM Units tags, two hundred and fifty-one (251)
Sokoto also monitored campaign finance Registration area tags, two hundred and
tracking for the 2023 General Election with fifty-three (253) Local Government tags and
particular emphasis on: thirteen (13) state collation agent tags was
received and distributed to political parties
i. Campaign rallies. accordingly.

ii. Billboards. Stakeholder Engagements

iii. Advertisement on print and electronic The Inter-Agency Consultative Committee
media. on Election Security (ICCES) meeting was
held as many times as the need arose before,
iv. Printing of souvenirs, posters, T-shirt, during and after the elections. In attendance
face caps etc. at the meetings were all members of the
Committee, comprising of; the Police, DSS,
More-over, the Commission has always NSCDC, Air force, Army, Navy, Custom,
engaged critical stakeholders in all its Immigration, FRSC, Fire Service, NDLEA,
activities geared towards a transparent, EFCC and the Nigeria Correctional Service.
free, fair, all-inclusive, and credible elections
that will meet the international standard. Jingles from headquarters were translated
Pursuant to this fact, the commission to two major languages spoken in the state
accredited both domestic and international and these are Hausa and Fulfulde. The jingles
observers to observe the entire process were aired in Radio Stations. Members of
from training, recruitment of ad hoc staff, staff of the department were assigned to TV
security personnel, deployment of election and Radio stations to handle discussions on
personnel and materials. One hundred and topical issues concerning the election and
Ninety-Seven (197) observer groups and the the Commissions preparedness. Garguwa
four (4) international Organizations namely FM, Rima FM, Vision FM, Caliphate Radio
African Union (AU), Economic Community FM, Rima Radio, NTA Sokoto, are some of
of West African States (ECOWAS), the stations where these enlightenment
Commonwealth (CW) and European Union programmes were held satisfactorily.

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To further boost departmental activities, the the 2023 General and supplementary
Department branded vehicle Van mounted Election
with loudspeakers was used to traverse the
nooks and crannies of the state to enlighten All these activities took place from the 5th
the voting public. of January 2023 to the 29th of March 2023
at various venues.
The Voter Education and Publicity
department (VEP), Sokoto was not left Identification, Preparations and
out in the day-to-day preparations before, Activation of RACs and Super RACs
during and after the elections. It therefore
successfully undertook the following crucial Registration Area Camps (RACs) are
assignments that led or contributed to the designated public places where election
huge success recorded by the Commission materials and election officials are camped
in the state. Worthy of mentioning are for an election. For preparation, RACs
stakeholders’ meetings, Market outreach, and Super RACs were identified and fully
Radio, and Television programme. activated in all the twenty-three local
government areas of the State. Mats,
Prior to the election, the department Generators and Water storage tanks were
developed a schedule of Voter Education provided at the Centres. Toilets were put in
and mobilization activities for the purpose proper shape for the use of ad-hoc staff.
of the election, these includes:
All the materials (Sensitive) including
a. Meeting with Traditional Rulers EC8 series with their replacement were
adequate and without mix-up. Distribution
b. Convened ICCES meetings of the materials to Electoral officers was
done at the CBN in the presence of the
c. Meeting with Stakeholders Security, political party agents and media
organizations.
d. Meeting with People Living with
Disability (PWD) Elections involve the movement of Men and
Materials from one point to another among
e. Town hall meeting with women group other things. For effective monitoring and
and gender focused Civil Society distribution of materials, all serviceable
Organizations vehicles of the commission were mobilized
for the exercise. This is in addition to
f. Engagement with Visually Impaired
MoU entered between the commission
Voters on the use of Braille ballot guide
and NURTW. Vehicles were hired from
the agreement to facilitate movement of
g. Road show jointly organized by National
ad-hoc personnel to and from RACs and
Orientation Agency (NOA) and National
various polling units.
Youth Service Corp (NYSC)
Meetings were held between the EOs
h. Preparation of Information Kits for

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

and the EOps department where plans Support for field Activities
for transportation of men and materials
were worked out. It must be taken into The proactive decision by the Commission
consideration the nature of security to establish situation room in the State
challenges in about 13 LGAs especially in the offices has contributed in solving many
Sokoto East Senatorial district. It must also issues in the field which might otherwise had
be noted that the terrains in some areas are deteriorated or brought about breakdown of
so bad coupled with the remoteness of these law and order. It has recorded huge success
areas, it is therefore suggested that to such from the flow of between management,
areas where buses and small vehicles do not contact person, field operation etc.
normally operate be left to the discretion of
these EOs and the local NURTW officials The EMSC Situation Room was well
to negotiate the appropriate vehicles to be equipped and started operation on the
used. Such areas normally use Canter trucks eve of election. There was effective
vehicles as a better means of transportation communication as well as support between
and the amount charged by the owners is field assets and situation room officers
exorbitant, because it is election, but citing especially in terms of security issues Gada/
insecurity and distance. The MOU was Goronyo Federal Constituency already
strictly adhered to and there were seamless declared during the Presidential election
movement of men and materials in all these held on the 25th of February 2023.
elections.
The Supplementary Election was
Again, the Commission signed Memorandum supervised by the National Commissioner
of Understanding with the management of Major General M.A. Alkali and some other
NNPC Mega Station, Sokoto. The outcome senior officials from the Commission’s
was very fruitful throughout the period of headquarters. The election was a success.
2023 General Election. A total sum of five
hundred and eighty-two thousand naira Issues and Challenges Associated
(N582, 000) was released to fuel INEC with the Election
and Security Vehicles for the Presidential
Election. Another two hundred and fifty No election is 100% perfect. Each comes
thousand naira (250, 000) was made with it peculiar challenges depending on
available for the fuelling of INEC Vehicles the level of preparation for the election and
alone in the Governorship Election, while host of other factors. The 2023 General
Four Hundred and Seven thousand, four Election recorded violence, disruption,
hundred naira (407, 400) was released inefficiency in operating BVAS, destruction
to fuel vehicle for securities. For the of election materials, and assault on some
supplementary election, one hundred and election officials at Polling Units and
Fifty thousand naira only (150, 000) was Collation Centres. This is largely because
released to fuel INEC Vehicles. of security challenges such as banditry
and kidnapping in almost 13 (56.2%) of
Monitoring, Implementation and the 23 Local Government Areas of Sokoto

305
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

State. Political thuggery was another factor applicants sent from the Headquarters.
leading to disruption of electoral process.
However, despite all the challenges, the 2. Late arrival non-sensitive materials
election was adjudged to be fair, credible, including the training manuals were
and acceptable. Highlights of some of the other challenges experienced.
challenges experienced in Sokoto are as
follows: 3. Some election materials were mix-up.
Timely sorting became a challenge
1. On-line recruitment of ad-hoc staff was
a commendable effort; however, some 4. Assistive aids for visually impaired are
prospective applicants were unable to inadequate and the available ones were
register due to portal problem. There was not properly deployed to the field by
also a challenge in harvesting the list of some Electoral officers.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

12.4.7
Zamfara State Prof. Saidu Babura Ahmad
Capital City: Gusau Resident Electoral Commissioner, Zamfara State

Delimitation Data

14 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
7 Federal
Constituencies
24 State
Constituencies

147
No of RAs
3,529
No of PUs
1,926,870
No of Registered
Voters
1,850,055
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction necessitated the creation of 61 IDP Voting

Centres across the State.
Zamfara State is in the Northwest Geo-
political Zone of the country with a
landmass of 39,762km2. It has 14 LGAs,
Pre-Election Activities
3 Senatorial Districts, 7 Federal and 24
Management Meetings and Audit of
State Constituencies, 147 RAs and 3,529
PUs. It has a total of 1,926,870 registered
Electoral Materials
voters, with 1,850,055 collecting their
The proactive decision by the Commission
PVCs before A total of 1,850,055 PVCs
to direct State offices to conduct
representing 96% were collected at the
comprehensive audit of sensitive and non-
time of commencement of 2023 General
sensitive election material as well as the
elections. Zamfara is one of the States in
state of readiness of offices, stores, and halls
the Federation affected by banditry and
in the State office and LGA Offices, helped
kidnappings with the prevalence of IDPs.
tremendously in ensuring smooth conduct
The Commission in its inclusivity drive came
of the 2023 General Election. fs Accordingly,
up with the framework for voting by IDPs
Prior to the Elections, the Management
for the 2019 General Elections. This was
of the INEC Zamfara State had series of
revised in 2022 to capture all the States
meetings with all the HODs, HOUs, EOs/
affected by all forms of violence. All the 14
AEOs and relevant Stakeholders on different
Local Government areas of Zamfara State
issues (such as Voter Education, New
were affected even though the magnitude
PUs, Voters Migration, New Technological
varies: Seventy-two (72) Registration Areas
Innovations, CVR, PVC Collection, IDP
and 606 Polling Units were all affected. This
Voting and Electoral Procedures having

307
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

direct or indirect bearings on the successful Assembly Elections held on the 18th of March
conduct of safe, free, fair, credible, inclusive 2023, was more promising, after correcting
and acceptable General Elections in the all errors identified in the Presidential and
State. These helped the State and LGA National Assembly Elections of the 25th
Offices to identify shortfall in infrastructure of February 2023. The Governorship and
and materials, which with the timely twenty-four (24) State Assembly elections
intervention of the INEC Headquarters were held on 18th of March 2023.
Abuja, were put in place to ensure adequate
readiness for storage for new materials Conduct of CVR and PVC Collection
and RACs, SRACS and Collation Centres
for smooth conduct of the elections. The Earlier, the Commission’s offices in the State
Management also carried out several audit and all the LGAs conducted the Continuous
exercises on all the Electoral Materials Voter Registration (CVR) and Permanent
received from the Headquarters at the Voter Cards (PVC) Collection Exercises after
State and the 14 LGA Offices with the State a lot of Voter Education and awareness
Auditor, HODs, EOs/AEOs and relevant activities at the stipulated time in the State.
Stakeholders for accuracy and safe keeping. The exercises went on smoothly at the
beginning throughout the State not until
Election Period when the insecurity situation in the State
worsened and mobile networks were cut off.
The Presidential and National Assembly That necessitated the indefinite suspension
Elections were held on the 25th of February of the exercises in the State. However, the
2023. These comprised of the Presidential, CVR and PVC Collection exercises resumed
three Senatorial Districts and seven after the security situation improved at
members of House of Representatives. At the LGA Headquarters and later expanded
the end of the day, the Presidential Election to the RA level on rotational basis. There
was successfully collated at the State were also Displays of the PVR at the end
Headquarters, two of the three Senatorial of different phases of the exercise in all the
Districts (Zamfara North and Zamfara 14 LGAs and most of the 147 RAs. As at
West) were declared. Five out of the seven the final suspension of the exercises very
Members of House of Representatives’ seats close to the 2023 General Elections a total
were also successfully declared. However, of 1,926,870 Voters were Registered while
two seats of Gusau/Tsafe and Gummi/ a total of 1,850,005 PVCs were collected in
Bukkuyum were not concluded. The major the State.
hiccups we faced in this election were late
commencement of polls, wilful destruction Recruitment, Training and
of election materials by thugs and mix-up Deployment of Electoral Personnel
of result sheets. These we attributed to
late deployment to RACs and activities by As the election inched closer, the
political thugs. Commission organized numerous trainings,
workshops, and seminars to all categories of
The Governorship and State House of staff and relevant stakeholders, to educate

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

them on new innovations, remind them rules stipulated by the Commission and
on the existing processes and procedures, various parties in the country.
sensitize the general public and to prepare
the staff for the main tasks ahead. Stakeholder Engagements

The State and all the 14 LGA Offices had

The recruitment of all the Ad-hoc Poll series of Stakeholders’ Engagement with
Officials was done centrally through the all the relevant Stakeholders such as the
INEC PRESS Portal apart from the Collation Political Parties, Security Agencies (through
and Returning Officers which was done by ICCES), Traditional Rulers, Religious Leaders,
the office of the Chairman, in liaison with Transporters, Media, Observer Groups,
the Heads of Federal Tertiary Institutions in PWDs etc. during which deliberations were
the State. Those posted to Zamfara State done on different issues (such as Voter
were from the Federal University, Gusau Education, New PUs, New Electoral Act
and Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda. 2022, Voters Migration, RACs/Super RACs,
Relocations of PUs/RAs, New Technological
Innovations, CVR, PVC Collection, IDP
The selected personnel, after due Voting and Electoral Procedure having
screening were subsequently trained, direct or indirect bearings on the successful
before deployment. Despite the security conduct of safe, free, fair, credible, inclusive
challenges in the State, we were able to and acceptable 2023 General Elections in
get more than the required number of all the State.
the categories of staff. The SPOs and COs
were centrally trained in the State capital
at Govt. Science Secondary School Gusau Preparations for the
while the POs and APOs were trained at
the various LGA Headquarters. Those who
Election
were successfully trained and selected for Receipt, Storage and Deployment
the job were finally deployed to the various
of Sensitive and Non-Sensitive
LGAs, RAs and PUs appropriately.
Materials
Party Primaries and Candidates’ Both Sensitive and Non-Sensitive Election
Nomination Processes Materials were received in good time
and in the right quantity. Ballot Papers
Political parties that sponsored candidates
were supplied based on the number of
for various positions in the 2023 General
registered voters. The Sensitive Materials
Elections conducted their party primaries
were collected from the CBN Gusau
and nominations which were duly monitored
Branch (where they were safely stored) and
and reported accordingly by the State Office.
distributed to all the EOs of the 14 LGAs
Generally, the nominations and primaries
on Wednesday the 22nd of February 2023
were carried out successfully in compliance
for the Presidential and NASS Election and
with the laid down guidelines and extant
on Wednesday the 15th of March 2023

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for the Governorship and SHA Election in The State Office under the auspices of
the presence of security personnel, party the Electoral Operations Department
agents, observers, and members of the made adequate preparations for the
press. logistics necessarily needed for the smooth
conduct of the 2023 General Elections in
The NURTW provided the trucks for the the State. Consequently, all the electoral
movement of materials amidst security materials required were supplied to all the
escorts to the LGAs, RACs/Super RACs and LGAs, RACs/Super RACs and PUs in good
to all the PUs as agreed in the MOU with condition and at the stipulated time.
the Commission. There were good storage
facilities in the State and all the 14 LGA
offices and the RACs/Super RACs were all Monitoring, Implementation and
the deployed materials were safely stored Support for field Activities
before the Election Day.
There were effective and constant
Identification, Preparations and monitoring, implementation, and support
Activation of RACs and Super RACs services to the field officers (both the
Commission’s Staff and Ad-hoc) and their
All the RACs/Super RACs for the 2023 respective activities before, during and
General Elections in the State were after the elections in the State. These
identified with relevant Stakeholders were done via a few media such as the
and later prepared and activated by the Management Team, EMSC DOs and the
Commission in good time which contributed EOSC Situation Room among others. These
tremendously towards the overall success yielded many positive impacts and helped
of the elections. By the decisions taken in taking drastic actions in resolving most of
at the various ICCES and Stakeholders’ the issues encountered during the elections
meetings, all the PUs and RAs affected by especially in the flash points with election
insecurity (banditry and kidnappings etc.) disputes and violence.
were relocated to safer places with voters’
awareness creation prior to the Election
Days. Conduct of the Election
(the 25th of February and
Printing of EVR
the 18th of March 2023)
The Electronic Voters’ Register (EVR)
was successfully printed by the ICT/VR Opening of Polls
Department in good time as required by the
Most (about 80%) of the PUs for both the
Commission and was accordingly used in all
Presidential/NASS and Governorship/SASS
the elections conducted in the State.
elections were opened at the stipulated time
(8:30am) except for those with insecurity
Logistics Preparations
and difficult terrain issues in the State. This

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greatly assisted in the attainment of the PU-by-PU results of the LGA from the IREV
success recorded in the elections especially Portal.
in the speedy Election Day activities and
collations. A Supplementary Election of Zamfara
Central Senatorial District, Gusau/Tsafe and
Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituencies
The Presidential and National Assembly was conducted on the 15th of April 2023.
Elections were held on the 25th of February The Supplementary Election took place in
2023. These comprised of the Presidential, Six (6) LGAs broken down as follows:
three Senatorial Districts and seven
members of House of Representatives. The a. Zamfara Central senatorial District
Sensitive Materials were brought to the (Gusau, Tsafe, Bungudu and Maru LGAs)
CBN Gusau branch in good time for our with a total of 83 PUs (including two
inspection and batching. On Wednesday Split PUs)
15th March 2023, all were distributed to
the 14 Local Government Areas, in the b. Gusau/Tsafe Federal Constituency with
presence of security operatives, political a total of Sixty-Three (63) PUs
party representatives, observers and
members of the press. As expected, the c. Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency
elections commenced in most Polling Units with a total of Seven (7) PUs
by 8:30am, and successful declaration of
return were made of the 24 Seats of the All the three seats of the constituencies were
State Assemblies and that of the Governor. finally declared and returned successfully.
However, there were challenges as well,
some of the State Assembly seats were Voting Process and Performance of
declared at the state office, due to security Equipment
challenges. The election of the Governor
could not be declared until Wednesday, the The Voting Process was smooth and
22nd of March around 4:00am. We had four simplified by the Commission’s efforts in
RAs in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area, Voter Education Activities, Stakeholders’
where the major political parties refused to Engagements, New Electoral Act 2022,
agree to an earlier relocated centres and New PUs, Staff Trainings, Monitoring
failed to come up with a workable solution. and Supports and the New Technological
At the end we had to make declaration Innovations used. The BVAS performed
without those four RAs because the margin optimally well and assisted in timely
of lead was beyond the PVCs collected accreditation of voters by the poll officials
in those areas. Again, in Maradun LGA 7 which enhanced the voting process, closure
RACOs and the Local Government Collation of polls and collations during the elections.
Officer were abducted, their results were
compromised (the report of the LGA
Implementation of Collation and
collation officer is hereby attached). To have Result Management Process
an accurate result, we had to download the

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The Collation and Result Management of four (4) RAs out of the ten (10) RAs in
Processes were mainly implemented the LGA.
following the Commission’s guidelines
contained in the Election Manuals and the Special arrangements for the Army to
trainings given. The result management escort poll officials had to be put in place.
(especially in uploading PUs’ results) had This comes with additional cost of fuelling
some glitches with the Commission’s server and other sundry issues.
during the Presidential and NAS Elections
but was successfully carried out during the Another serious challenge was the
Gubernatorial and SHA Elections which disruption of elections and destruction of
greatly assisted the Commission in the final election materials especially where there
collation and declaration of winner in the were insufficient security personnel.
Governorship Election in the State.
The difficulty of some ad-hoc staff in
Operation of the Situation Room operating the BVAS as well as in filling
and Election Monitoring and some of the election forms posed additional
challenges.
Support Centre
The proactive decision by the Commission
The Situation Room for the EOSC and EMSC
to establish situation room in the State
Operations during the elections performed
offices has contributed in solving many
well and assisted in most of the decisions
issues in the field which might otherwise had
taken by the Commission and the Security
deteriorated or brought about breakdown of
Agencies at all levels.
law and order. It has recorded huge success
Issues and Challenges Associated from the flow of between management,
contact person, field operation etc.
with the Election

The challenges we faced during the Reverse Logistics

elections all came because of the general
All non-expendable items have been
insecurity in the State and the attempts by
successfully retrieved from the poll officials,
politicians and contestants to win. Banditry
while some are still in the LGA offices.
and kidnapping affected our plans, we had
Sensitive materials have been deposited in
to relocate RACS and collation centres,
the State Office. The payment of honoraria
and IDP voting centres had to be created.
has been done successfully. The few
These generated a lot of complications in
complaints of non-payments are being
logistic arrangement and security of men
sorted out right now.
and materials. Related to the problem of
insecurity, in Birnin Magaji one of the worst
LGAs affected by banditry, the two major
political parties refused to abide by the
earlier decision taken at the stakeholders’
meeting on IDP Voting Centres in respect

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12.5 South-East Geo-political Zone

Introduction 21,631 PUs, and 10.907,606 registered
voters. With the total number of PVCs
The South-East Zone comprises of the collected standing at 10,401,484 before the
following 5 states: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, GE, the zone had an overall PVC collection
Enugu and Imo. The zone has a landmass rate of 95% as shown in table 12.4 below.
of 29, 525 km2, with 95 LGAs, 1,246 RAs,

Table 12.5: Delimitation Data for the South-East Geo-Political Zone on State-by-State Basis

S/N State LGAs SDs FCs SCs RAs PUs Reg. Voters PVCs Km2
Collected
1 Abia 17 3 8 24 184 4,062 2,120,808 1,949,197 6,320

2 Anambra 21 3 11 30 326 5,720 2,656,437 2,624,764 4,844

3 Ebonyi 13 3 6 24 171 2,946 1,597,646 1,551,795 5,670

4 Enugu 17 3 8 24 260 4,145 2,112,793 1,995,389 7,161

5 Imo 27 3 10 27 305 4,758 2,419,922 2,280,339 5,530

Totals 95 15 43 129 1,246 21,631 10,907,606 10,401,484 29,525

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12.5.1
Abia State Clement Oha
Capital City: Umuahia Admin Sec. Abia State

Delimitation Data

17 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts 8 Federal
Constituencies
24 State
Constituencies

184
No of RAs
4,062
No of PUs
2,120,808
No of Registered
Voters
1,949,197
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction of a total of 4,062 polling units in the state,

as 12 polling units had zero registrants after
Abia state in South-East Nigeria was the voter migration exercise.
created on 27th August, 1991 out of the old
Imo State. Abia state is dominated by two
major ethnic groups- the Ngwa ethic group
Pre-Election Activities
and Ohafia ethnic group. Ngwa occupied
Abia state participated fully in all the pre-
9 Local Government Areas (LGAs) out of
election activities:
the 17 LGAs. Abia state has a landmass of
6,320 km2. It has 3 Senatorial Districts, 8 a. meetings were held with Inter-
Federal and 24 State Constituencies, 184 Agency Consultative Committee on
RAs and 4,062 PUs. There were 2,120,808 Election Security (ICCES), Civil Society
registered voters as at the time of the Organizations (CSOs), traditional
elections of which 1,949,197 had collected rulers, religious leaders, Community
their PVCs. Abia people are of the Igbo Based Organizations, Faith Based
ethnic group; hence, their language is Igbo. Organizations, MDAs and political party
The Presidential and National Assembly stakeholders both at the LGAs and State
Election and Governorship and State Headquarters.
Houses of Assembly Election took place in
Abia state on the 25th of February 2023 and b. CVR and PVC collection including
the 18th of March 2023 respectively. The display of Voter’s Register was observed
election took place in 4050 polling units, out in Abia state.

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c. Recruitment of electoral personnel was

conducted, with SPOs training on 10th
Conduct of the Election
February, 2023 followed by the training (the 25th of February and
of the Collation Officers, Returning the 18th of March)
Officers and training of the security
personnel on election activities. Personnel and materials were deployed
on time, following our early training and
d. Political party primaries activities training activities with cooperation from
were monitored strictly based on the the security agencies, academic institutions
guidelines and the 2023 electoral act. and NYSC in Abia state.

e. Stakeholders were engaged before and The Presidential and National Assembly
during the elections. Election started on the 25th of February
2023 on a shaky note because of difficulties
Preparations for the Election encountered with respect to the provision
of vehicles by the two transport unions
The training of SPOs, held at Bishop approved by the Commission. The office
Nwedo Pastoral Centre Umuahia on 11th rallied round and with the co-operation of
and 12th February 2023. The training of the HODs and EOs, the election turned out
Collation Officers took place at Michael to be a huge success. Though there were
Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, some hiccups and hitches in some RAs, no
Umuahia while the training of the RATECHS local government was significantly affected
was coordinated by the HOD ICT. The negatively. Results of the election were
participants were drawn from the INEC declared in the three (3) Senatorial Districts
PRES list sent from the Headquarters. and Eight (8) House of Representative
Similarly, RACs and SRAC were fully constituencies.
prepared for the election, just as logistic
preparations for both the presidential and The Governorship and State House of
governorship elections were fully deployed Assembly Election took place on the 18th
and monitored from the State Office, of March 2023. In all ramifications, it was
CBN, to the LGAs and down to the Polling a better organized election in terms of both
Units. Electoral activities were monitored the operations and logistics. The election
through the EMSC Dashboard, with the was, however, almost marred by late arrival
ERM, EMS, EOSC and I-SANS constituting of vehicles from the two transport unions
critical components. Configuration and engaged by the Commission and in some
deployment of accreditation devices (EVR, cases, short supply of vehicles earmarked
VR, and BVAS) were done and monitored for the LGA. However, the situation was
through the ICT/VR department. saved by the deployment of office vehicles
and engagement of some private vehicle
owners.

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Most of the materials used for the

elections (such as the BVAS machines,
Issues and Challenges
generators, etc.), were returned to the state Associated with the
headquarters but, the ballot boxes were Election
kept in the LGA offices.
The election was substantially peaceful.
However, there were pockets of electoral
malfeasance in few LGAs. The non or late
provision of vehicles was the major issue
that almost marred the election, but this
was eventually resolved, and the state
had a successful election without any
supplementary. The state however lost 25
BVAS machines.

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12.5.2
Anambra State Mrs Queen Elizabeth Agwu
Capital City: Awka Resident Electoral Commissioner, Anambra
State

Delimitation Data

21 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
11 Federal
Constituencies
30 State
Constituencies

326
No of RAs
5,720
No of PUs
2,656,437
No of Registered
Voters
2,624,764
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction Election, the Commission engaged in

some activities before the Election Day.
Anambra state is one of the five states in the These activities included Continuous
South-East geo-political zone of Nigeria. Its Voter Registration (CVR), conduct of party
capital is Awka while Onitsha and Nnewi are congresses and primaries, monitoring of
its major trading cities. It shares boundaries campaign expenses of candidates, voter
with Kogi state to the north, Enugu state to education and publicity, training of ad-
the east, Imo, Abia and Rivers states to the hoc workers and repair/renovation of
south, and Delta state to the west. Majority infrastructure.
of the people of Anambra state are Igbo by
tribe. The state has a total land area of 4,844 Continuous Voter Registration
km2 spreading across 21 local government Exercise
areas (LGAs). Anambra has 3 Senatorial
Districts, 11 Federal Constituencies and The Commission recommenced the
30 State Constituencies. There are 5,720 Continuous Voter Registration (CVR)
PUs spread across 326 RAs. There were throughout the federation on the 28th of
2,656,437 registered voters with 2,624,764 June 2022. However, Anambra state and
voters collecting their PVCs. some other states that conducted off-
season gubernatorial elections started the
Continuous Voter Registration process
Pre-Election Activities earlier. The period for Continuous Voter
Registration was extended twice and later
In line with INEC calendar for 2023 General ended on the 31st of July 2022 to enable

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the Commission conclude arrangements for Training and General Staff

the printing and distribution of permanent Development
voters’ cards. To ensure that the CVR
exercise was executed properly in the state, Several training sessions took place to
the staff were trained on the use of the INEC prepare the staff for the polls. The trainings
Voter Enrolment Device (IVED) to carry out carried out included:
the Continuous Voter Registration exercise.
They were also trained on Permanent Voters a. Training for PVC management and
Card (PVC) issuance. collection

Following the successful voter registration b. EMSC workshop for HODs

exercise, INEC Anambra state embarked on
intensive PVC issuance in the LGA offices c. INECPRES Technical training for
and later in the Registration Area Camps, to Electoral Operations HODs and State
ensure that the registered voters received Trainers
their PVCs before the election.
d. PVC Collection/Voter Migration training
For the 2023 General Election, a total of for HODs ICT and Electoral Operations.
2,656,437 voters registered in the state
and a total of 2,624,764 permanent voters’ e. Technical Workshop for HODs of
cards were collected. Electoral operations/ICT

Political Party Activities f. Master Trainers/TOT training workshop

for HOD ICT, State Trainer and Assistant
INEC State Office in Anambra state State Trainer
monitored the Senatorial, House of
Representatives, and State Assembly g. Pre-Election Training Assessment for
primaries of fifteen political parties in the HODs of Electoral Operations, ICT, State
state. Although the timetable and schedule Trainers, and Assistant State Trainers.
of activities for the 2023 General Election
indicated the period of primaries, most h. IDP camp Polling Units Training for
of the political parties pushed the date of RECs, HODs, and Electoral Operations
their primaries towards the closing date of
i. Election Security Personnel training
the exercise. The department of Elections
and Party Monitoring (EPM) worked closely
j. Training of Ad-hoc Staff.
with departments of Legal, Voter Education
and Publicity (VEP), General Administration Sensitive and Non-Sensitive
and Procurement (GAP) as well as staff of
Electoral Material
the Local Government Area Offices of the
Commission to monitor the party primaries Non sensitive materials for the conduct
in the state with the deployment of over of the elections were received in batches
100 monitors. through the Commission’s Zonal store at

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Owerri. Among the materials received were taken to effect reverse logistics, a total of
Ballot boxes, voting cubicles, sleeping mats, thirteen (13) BVAS machines were found to
election bags, aprons, generators, etc. INEC be missing because of electoral violence.
Anambra state began distribution of non-
sensitive materials in mid-December 2022. A total of 21 Local Government Area
While materials for 16 local government technicians (LGA Techs) and 342 Registration
areas were conveyed to the INEC LGA Area technical support (RA Techs) staff were
offices for batching, those for 5 local engaged, trained, and deployed for the
government areas namely Anambra West, 2023 General Election in Anambra state.
Idemili South, Ihiala, Nnewi South and Reports from across the state showed that
Ogbaru were batched at the state office due the performance of the BVAS machines was
to the insecurity. They were subsequently at optimum level throughout the elections.
delivered to the LGAs on February 21, 2022
- four days to the Presidential/National Identification, Preparation and
Assembly elections. Activation of RACs and SRACs

The sensitive materials arrived the Central Preparation of RACs began with the
Bank Awka in three batches. The first batch verification of the status of these centres,
contained materials for Presidential and with a view to determining their usability.
National Assembly elections and was cross- Based on what was observed during
checked by officials of the INEC state office the verification, some RACs which were
on the 17th of February 2023. located at inhospitable environments
were relocated to more conducive places.
Configuration of the BVAS Machine The Electoral Officers were given the
responsibility of appointing RAC managers
Due to the security situation in Anambra and engaging Heads of Schools (where the
state, configuration of the Bimodal Voter RAC is in a school) or such other official
Accreditation System (BVAS) machine was responsibility for the facility in overseeing
carried out at INEC headquarters, Abuja with the safety of the materials kept at the RACs.
the support of the ICT Anambra State staff The Commission hired a total of 2,063
from the 2nd of February 2023 to the 19th vehicles for 2023 elections in the state. This
of February 2023. All the configured BVAS provision was however grossly inadequate
machines numbering five thousand eight to take care of the transportation needs
hundred and ninety-two (5,892) arrived the given the high-level insecurity in the state.
state on Tuesday 21st of February 2023 Consequently, the state office had to look
and were subsequently deployed to the inwards to make up for the shortfall. The total
various local government areas of the state number of vehicles used for the elections
on Friday, February 24, 2023. In addition in Anambra state was 4,549. Hiring of the
to the configured machines, four hundred vehicles followed the procedure contained
and four (404) BVAS machines were also in the Memorandum of Understanding
delivered to the state as backup. At the end (MoU) signed by the Commission and three
of all the elections, after due diligence was main transport unions – the National Union

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the for the constituency by the Commission on
National Association of Road Transport April 15, 2023.
Owners (NARTO) and Maritime Workers
Union of Nigeria (MWUN). There was effective reverse logistics. All
the BVAS for the election were safely
Monitoring, Implementation and returned for the first election. Though
Support for Field Activities violence led to the destruction of some
ballot boxes in Ayamelum LGA during the
The Commission in the state activated its presidential election, they were replaced
Election Monitoring and Support Centre and the activities during that election
(EMSC). The EMSC dashboard was set were effectively reviewed, which led to an
up to show level of activities as part of optimal performance in the 18th of March
preparations for the 2023 General Election 2023 State Assembly Election.
in Anambra state. The centre also served
as a platform for quick response to any The state was able to deploy to the Super
unforeseen operational and logistical RACs in most Local Government Areas,
challenges on the election-day. The EMSC during the 18th of March 2023 State House
played a third role of tracking all forms of of Assembly election in Anambra State. Due
threats to the election. On the Election Day, to the very high insecurity level in Ihiala
the EMSC operated as a Situation Room local government area, all security agencies
with dedicated phone lines where members strongly warned against deployment in
of the public were encouraged to call-in the seven (7) registration areas where
to report incidents of which they would the inhabitants have been displaced by
require intervention. unknown gunmen. As a result of this, no
election was conducted in the affected
registration areas. The Electoral Officers
Conduct of the Election effectively supervised reverse logistics
and the sensitive electoral materials were
Despite the initial hitches from the late secured. The returns of the election were
deployment and arrival of some Supervisory also made. No constituency was declared
Presiding Officers (SPOs), and the control inconclusive.
of the Police/other security agencies on the
time of movement of the sensitive materials Issues and Challenges
to the Local Government Areas on February
25, 2023, the state was still able to deploy Some of the issues and challenges associated
in most Local Government Areas. However, with the 2023 elections in Anambra state
elections could not hold in 45 (Forty-Five) are as follows:
Polling Units in Ogbaru LGA. This affected
the outcome of the elections for Ogbaru a. Due to the activities of unknown
Federal Constituency which was declared gunmen, there was no election in some
inconclusive because of the low margin of Units and Registration Areas in Ihiala
lead. A supplementary election was held LGA;

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b. Buses supplied by some vendors were elections were actually contested; and
below the required capacity;
d. Late deployment/non deployment of ad
c. Failure to stamp, sign and date the ballot hoc staff and electoral materials to some
papers by some Presiding Officers, and Registration Areas and Units in Ogbaru
non-striking off “not contested” in some LGA by the Electoral Officer, leading to
result sheets of some Polling Units where supplementary election in the area.

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12.5.3
Ebonyi State Onyeka Pauline Ugochi
Capital City: Abakaliki Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ebonyi
State

Delimitation Data

13 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
6 Federal
Constituencies
24 State
Constituencies

171
No of RAs
2,946
No of PUs
1,597,646
No of Registered
Voters
1,551,795
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction is made up of 13 Local Government Areas

viz: Abakaliki, Afikpo North, Afikpo South,
Ebonyi state with the acronym “Salt of the Ebonyi, Ezza North, Ezza South, Ikwo,
Nation’’ was created on 1st October 1996 Ishielu, Ivo, Izzi, Ohaozara, Ohaukwu and
with its capital at Abakaliki. The state was Onicha. The people are politically conscious
created from the old Abakaliki Division of and enlightened.
Enugu state and old Afikpo Division of Abia
state. It shares boundaries with Enugu state
at the west, Benue state to the north, Cross
Pre-Election Activities
River state to the east and Abia state to
Planning Activities
the south. It has a land area of about 5,670
km2. With 13 LGAs, 3 Senatorial Districts,
Series of management meetings were
6 Federal and 24 State Constituencies,
held by members of management, which
171 RAs and 2,946 PUs, the total number
was chaired by the Resident Electoral
of registered voters in the State at the
Commissioner. The meetings held to
time of the election was 2,656,437, while
articulate rules and guidelines for the
2,624,764 had collected their PVCs.
operations of the Commission in the state
and get members acquainted with the
According to the 2006 population census,
commission’s decisions, activities and
Ebonyi state had 2,173,501 inhabitants. It
policies/programmes on the electoral
is inhabited mostly by Igbo speaking group
processes in preparations for the 2023
and it is one of the states that make up the
General Election.
South-East geo-political zone. The state

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Inventory/Audit of Election state. The exercise took place in all the 171
Materials Registration Areas in the state as directed
by the Commission.
A Committee on the identification of
sensitive and non-sensitive election Training
materials required for the conduct of the
2023 General Election in the state was set The training exercise for the 2023 General
up by the Management. The membership Election went well as planned by the
of the committee was drawn from Commission in Ebonyi state. The various
Departments and Local Government Areas categories or levels of training were
(LGAs), and Electoral Officers in the state. done on those dates scheduled by the
The committee was required to identify Commission. The deployment of ad-hoc
election materials needed for the conduct staff was seamless. There was no shortage of
of the 2023 General Election and determine personnel in any of the elections. Payment
the following from the state and the Local of ad-hoc staff had no challenge apart from
Government Area (LGA) Electoral Officers: those that submitted wrong account details
which the account department made efforts
i. List of materials; to rectify.

ii. Quantity of each election materials Political Party Activities

required for the elections;
Eighteen (18) political parties conducted
iii. Quantity available; primaries which were monitored by the
Commission within the stipulated time.
iv. Quantity in good condition; Hence, they submitted themselves to the
process of nomination of candidates for
v. Shortfalls; and the Elections as provided by law. Political
party campaigns commenced in the state
vi. Recommendations. after the release of the Elections timetable.
The Presidential and National Assembly
CVR and PVC Collection Exercise campaigns commenced on the 28th of
September 2022 while the Governorship
The CVR and PVC collection exercise in and State Houses of Assembly started
preparation for 2023 General Election on the 12th of October, 2022 in line with
commenced in Ebonyi state on the 28th the provision of the Electoral Act 2022. In
of June 2021. The exercise was suspended furtherance of the need for violent-free
on the 31st of July 2022 in accordance elections, the Inter-Agency Consultative
with the provision of the 2010 Electoral Committee on Election Security (ICCES)
Act (as amended). In compliance with INEC organized a Peace Accord for all candidates
Guidelines, the display and clean-up of the and political parties that participated in the
Register of Voters was conducted from the elections in Ebonyi state on the 13th of
12th to the 25th of November 2022 in the February 2023. Essentially, all the parties

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endorsed the Peace Accord and pledged to Government Area Electoral Offices forty-
play strictly by the rules. eight (48) hours before the elections.
Security Agencies in the state monitored
Stakeholder Engagements the batching and armed security agents
escorted the sensitive materials and INEC
In preparations for the 2023 General officials to the various Local Government
Election, INEC Ebonyi state collaborated with Area Electoral Offices in the state. Political
identified stakeholders including the media parties witnessed the batching, distribution,
outfits for the reportage and sensitization and delivery processes of the materials
on the Commission’s activities all through through their state party agents.
the elections, for guided information of the
public. The state office also partnered with Logistics, Preparation and
the electorate, party leaders, traditional Activation of RACs and SRACs
rulers, religious leaders, Civil Society
Organizations (CSOs), Community-Based The Registration Area Camps (RACs) for the
Organizations, Faith-Based Organizations 13 LGAs in the state were identified early
(FBOs), Federal Ministries, Departments enough and adequate preparations and
and Agencies (MDAs) and International activation made. Adequate facilities in the
Development Partners, among other RACs were put in place before they were
stakeholders in electoral process in the state. activated on the 22nd of February and the
This partnership-built confidence and trust 15th of March 2023 for the elections.
of the stakeholders in the Commission’s
activities, towards the conduct of free, A transport strategy plan was developed,
fair, credible, and inclusive elections in the which involved the engagement with the
state. Town/Village Hall Meetings were also National Union of Road Transport Workers
organized at relevant levels and at various (NURTW) and National Association of Road
stages of the electioneering process to Transport Owners (NARTO), Ebonyi State
enlighten, inform, educate, and mobilize the Branch. The engagement involved signing
public in identifying and participating in the of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
Commission’s activities in the state. with these transport associations after
series of meetings with their executives and
Sensitive and Non-Sensitive some members for the provision of sound
Electoral Materials and adequate number of vehicles to the
Commission for the 2023 General Election
The non-sensitive electoral materials were in the state.
received and deployed to Local Government
Areas in good time in readiness for the 2023 Configuration of BVAS
General Election. The batching of sensitive
election materials from the Central Bank of The ICT Department was able to configure
Nigeria (CBN), Abakaliki Branch took days. and deploy all the devices for the 2023
At the end of the batching, the sensitive General Election. The Bimodal Voter
materials were distributed to the Local Accreditation System (BVAS), Electronic

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Voter Register (EVR) and Voter Register (VR) a. Poor network

were ready in real time for the elections.
b. Defective communication

Conduct of Elections c. Lack of SIM card among others.

The men and materials needed to be used The RATECHs and LATECHs were on
for 2023 General Election were deployed ground to attend to most of these challenges
on or before eve of the Elections. Both to allow accreditation to continue in the
personnel and materials for the elections affected polling units. They were indeed
were complete. However, some of the up and doing as they offered the desired
Transport Union members violated the assistance where and when necessary.
signed MoU while few of them obeyed the
signed contract. The disappointment of Collation and Result Management
the Transport Union was mostly observed System
during the Presidential and National
Assembly elections but was better, after Collation of Election results at all levels was
serious warning by the Commission during successfully conducted. Collation Officers
the Governorship and State Assembly were sourced from approved sources,
elections. There were many dishonest recruited, trained, and deployed for collation
people among the transport union. as expected. The outcome of the elections
was announced, and winners were declared
Opening of Polls by the Returning Officers, who followed
due process as required by relevant
From the reports received from the various Electoral laws in doing so. The winners were
LGAs in the state, voting and accreditation presented with Certificate of Return on the
commenced in most of the polling units at 29th of March and the 16th of April 2023
8:30am on the days of elections throughout respectively by the Independent National
the state. The process went simultaneously Electoral Commission, Ebonyi state.
throughout the Two thousand, nine hundred
and forty-six (2,946) polling units in the Operation of the Situation Room
state. and Election Monitoring and
Support Centre (EMSC)
The procedure of voting adopted in all
the elections in the state was Continuous The Election Monitoring and Support
Accreditation and Voting System (CAVS). Centre (EMSC) operated optimally in the
Report received from Electoral Officers whole state during the election period
indicated that generally, voting was smooth including LGAs, RAs, Collation Centres,
except in some polling units where BVAS RACs and polling units. The process gave
failed to function due to: the broad-eye view of the actual monitoring
of the 2023 General Election in the state
including monitoring, tracking, identifying

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risk, reporting, batching and deployment as required with the approval from the REC.
of sensitive and non-sensitive election
materials and as well as election personnel. Reverse Logistics
The EMSC process hinged on reaching
the six contact persons appointed by the All men and materials sent to the field for
Commission to supply information on the 2023 General Election were duly brought
activities in and around the designated back to their various offices except those
activity areas within the state on Election materials destroyed in the field during the
Day. The election officials supplied the elections.
needed information to the contact persons
who in turns informed EOSC for further Issues and Challenges Associated
information to the Desk Officer for onward with the Elections
upload to the EMSC dashboard.
Violence and disruption of electoral
The 2023 General Election Situation Room processes, holding election staff hostage,
was activated on the 23rd of February 2023 usage and non-usage of BVAS, and some
for Presidential and National Assembly and cases of destruction of BVAS were some
the 18th of March 2023 for Governorship the challenges encountered during the
and State Assembly elections. The elections in the state. There were reported
EOSC Data Administrators uploaded the cases of violence in the following Local
compliance and threat matrix data from the Government Areas during 2023 General
activity areas hourly. The information so Election: Abakaliki, Afikpo North, Afikpo
gathered was analysed following approved South, Ezza North, Ikwo, and which
process in sending it to the EMSC dashboard attracted supplementary election in the
affected LGAs.

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12.5.4
Enugu State Dr. Chukwuemeka Chukwu
Capital City: Enugu Resident Electoral Commissioner, Enugu State

Delimitation Data

17 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
8 Federal
Constituencies
24 State
Constituencies

260
No of RAs
4,145
No of PUs
2,112,793
No of Registered
Voters
1,995,389
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction (LGAs), 3 Senatorial Districts, 8 Federal and

24 State Constituencies, 260 RAs and 4,145
Enugu state is in the eastern part of Nigeria, PUs. Enugu State has 2,120,808 registered
at the foot of the Udi Mountain, in the voters of which 1,949,197 had collected
country’s South-East geo-political zone, their PVCs.
with a landmass of 7,161 km2. The people
are hospitable, educated and politically
enlightened. The state shares common
Pre-Election Activities
boundaries with Imo and Abia states
Prior to the conduct of 2023 General
towards the south, Ebonyi state towards
Election, a lot of activities were carried
the east, Benue and Kogi states towards
out in preparation for the exercise. At the
the north and Anambra state towards the
preparatory stage, the staff fully participated
west. The name of the state is derived from
in the Training of Trainers (ToT) for ASTOs,
its capital city, Enugu meaning “Enu-ugwu”
LGTOs and ICT, etc., held from the 28th –
that is, “Top of the hill”. It was created
the 29th of November 2022 and the 20th
in August 1991, out of the old Anambra
– the 23rd of December 2022. There were
state. The people are predominantly Igbo
series of management meetings for the
speaking. Enugu is generally known and
purpose of planning the 2023 election.
always referred to as the “Coal city” possibly
because of the large deposit of coal mineral
across the land.

Enugu state has 17 Local Government Areas

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Conduct of CVR and PVC Collection and as accommodated by the Commission’s

Exercise guidelines, the 18 political parties conducted
their primaries/nomination of candidates
The Continuous Voter Registration Exercise between the 8th of May – the 9th of June
(CVR) commenced on the 28th of June 2022. Accordingly, the Commission’s staff,
2021 across the state. It started with the coordinated by the EPM Department were
online process and finally ended on the deployed to the respective venues to
31st of July 2022. The exercise provided monitor the exercise.
opportunity for eligible citizens who just
turned 18 years and above to register as Reports indicated that most of the political
voters. Also, those who could not register parties adopted the open-secret balloting
in the previous exercises for one reason or for the primaries. A few others applied what
the other were equally captured during the was termed “Consensus” or “Affirmation” by
period. The CVR exercise was conducted in voice votes or raising up hands. On a general
phases. There was also a final display of the note, the conduct of primaries/nomination
preliminary register of voters and Collection processes was rancour-free and in line with
of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) from the their party rules.
12th – the 25th of November 2022. After
the CVR exercise, the total voting strength Stakeholder Engagements
rose to 2,112,793 while a total of 1,995,389
PVCs were collected. In the build-up to the 2023 General
Election, interactive meetings were held
Electoral Personnel with stakeholders, development partners
(EU, AU, and ECOWAS Missions, IFES,
The recruitment process for the ad hoc etc.), political parties, traditional/religious
personnel commenced with the online leaders, Civil Society Groups, Town Unions,
applications via the INEC portal. Screening etc., at different intervals. Also, there were
of the applicants was conducted from the media briefings and engagement meetings
19th – the 22nd of January 2023 at the with the heads of security agencies under
Senatorial Zone Centres. The turnout was the auspices of Inter-Agency Consultative
poor due to fear and threats of insecurity by Committee of Election Security (ICCES).
unknown gunmen. Also, the scarcity of fuel At the meetings, the Resident Electoral
and cash (currency) frustrated movements Commission (REC) briefed the participants
at that time. However, other manual on the level of preparedness for the 2023
applicants were engaged to make up for the General Election. The REC equally used the
shortfalls after training. A total of 428 SPOs opportunity to sensitize the electorates
were deployed after training. on the election processes especially, the
introduction of BVAS and need to register as
Political Party Primaries and voters and collect their PVCs. The support
Nomination Process and collaboration of the stakeholders were
equally solicited to ensure success at the
In line with the extant rules and regulations elections.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Sensitive and Non-Sensitive place. All the RACs were prepared for the
Electoral Materials election, but in some LGAs, the activation
was restricted to only SRACs based on
Before the supply of sensitive and non- security advice.
sensitive electoral materials to the state
office, an inventory of available items was Logistics Preparations:
conducted. The logistics store at the state Transportation Plans, Procurement,
office and LGA offices were decongested in and Implementation of MoU
preparation for the receipt of materials for
the 2023 General Election. Items of Non- The arrangement for movement of men
economic value were destroyed following a and materials were perfected through the
directive from the headquarters. By the 4th signing of Memorandum of Understanding
of February 2023, the state had received (MoU) with the leadership of NURTW &
bulk of the non-sensitive electoral materials NARTO. Several meetings were held with
from the Zonal Store, Owerri. Some of the the leadership of the transport unions in
items included ballot boxes, voting cubicles, Enugu state but specifically on the 23rd of
generators, sleeping mats, marker pens, February 2023 the final agreements were
stamps, forms and posters, booklets, etc. reached on the modalities for providing
a total of 2,734 vehicles for the election
The sensitive materials (ballot papers and activities. Payment for the services was
result booklets) were delivered from INEC successfully implemented as provided by
headquarters to the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Commission and in the MoU.
Enugu (CBN) for warehousing. The shortfalls
in all the electoral materials were received Monitoring, Implementation and
and confirmed to be in their right quantity Support for Field Activities
and quality before final deployment to the
field in the presence of security and political Preparatory activities and the proper
party agents. conduct of the 2023 General Election was
successfully carried out through effective
Identification/Preparation and monitoring. The EMSC tools were applied to
Activation of RACs and SRACs track implementation. Also, the commission
deployed monitors and supervisors who
The Electoral Officers identified suitable supported field activities to ensure success.
venues to be used for camping of ad hoc
personnel on the eve of Election Day. The Mock accreditation was done to determine
assessment of the RACs and SRACs to the efficiency and functionality of the
confirm their suitability was conducted on BVAS for accreditation purposes before the
the 18th of November 2022 and supervised election. The exercise was conducted in 12
by staff from the headquarters. The non PUs selected across the 3 senatorial zones
– sensitive materials were moved to the in the state. The BVAS performance was
LGAs from the 12th of February 2023 after optimal.
security men and measures were put in

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Configuration and Deployment of Supplementary Election –

Accreditation Devices (EVR, VR and
BVAS)
15th April 2023 (Oji River
Constituency)
INEC Enugu state deployed a total of 4,625
BVAS including back-ups to the field for A supplementary election was held at PU
the purpose of accreditation and result 001, Oji-River II RA, in Oji-River LGA. The
upload. Prior to the conduct of the election PU result of the State House of Assembly
(Presidential/NASS), the ICT staff went to election held on the 18th of March
HQs in Abuja to configure the BVAS from 2023 was cancelled due to over voting.
the 2nd – the 11th of February 2023. Unfortunately, the margin of lead was
Eventually, the state received the BVAS lower than the total PVCs collected in that
on the 21st of February 2023, few days to PU and for that reason, the constituency
the election, possibly because of reported result was declared inconclusive. But the
cases of attack on INEC facilities in the supplementary election was successful.
state. Also, the printing of Electronic Voters
Registers (EVR) was completed in real time Performance of NURTW and
and deployed to LGAs alongside the BVAS NARTO
from the 23rd – the 24th of February 2023.
For the governorship and state house of During the 25th of February 2023
assembly elections, the configuration of elections, the transport unions performed
BVAS was concluded by the 12th of March below expectation. The vehicles and drivers
2023. delayed the movement of personnel in some
LGAs due to late arrival. Unfortunately,
they complained of difficulty in getting fuel
Conduct of the Elections and threat of insecurity. However, their
(the 25th of February, the performance was much better during the
election of the 18th of March 2023.
18th of March & the 15th
of April) Opening/Closing of Polls,
Accreditation and Election Security
Deployment of Personnel and Architecture
Materials
On a general note, most of the PUs opened
The personnel and materials for the for election by 8.30am. However, in a few
conduct of the 2023 General Election were areas, especially during the Presidential/
deployed to the polling units on real time National Assembly election, the polls
and in their right quality and number. The commenced a bit late. Accreditation and
SPOs, POs/APOs, CSRVs, RATECHs and all voting were conducted simultaneously. The
the materials needed for the elections were performance of the BVAS on a general note
camped at the RACs for ease of movement was satisfactory. A few reported cases of
to PUs in the morning of Election Day. malfunction were rectified by the RATECHs.

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Arrangements for provision of security was voting. Also, the appropriate forms EC4OG
properly done. Due to heightened tension were completed, stating the reason(s) and
and threats of insecurity in the entire zone, other details where cancellation of the
a combination of 13 armed officers from election results occurred. Again, before
different security personnel were deployed declaration of constituency results, the
to each LGA and the state office some margin of lead and total number of registered
weeks before the election. They remained voters/collected PVCs in the affected areas
for few weeks after the elections. Also on were taken into account.
Election Day, the security officers were
available, but the number was inadequate Operation of the Situation Room
to cover the entire PUs as provided by the and Election Management and
Commission. Support Centre (EMSC)
Collation and Results Management In the Situation Room, the EMSC and other
System supporting tools were fully operational
during the elections. Activities of EOSC
The procedure for collation and management commenced effectively from deployment
of results at the end of the polls was clearly to the RAC through the Election Days and
stated in the guidelines for the conduct reverse logistics. The Situation Room came
of 2023 General Election. The presiding alive on the Election Days while EMSC
officers were provided with necessary activities started from the preparatory
materials including rechargeable lanterns stages. All these centres were helpful
and battery in the event of late conclusion in tracking, monitoring, and supporting
of polls. Also, the RA collation centres were the election activities to its successful
properly identified and publicized. At the conclusion.
LGA level, the collation took place at INEC
offices while the state collation hall was Retrieval of men and materials from the field
prepared for state level. After the sorting was successfully carried out. The electoral
and counting at the polling unit (PU), the officers in collaboration with the SPOs,
presiding officers took the completed POs and security personnel ensured that
EC8A forms to the RA collation officer electoral materials were retrieved from the
who then submitted the (EC8B) to the LGA PUs back to the LGA offices. Furthermore,
collation (EC8C) for their movement to the EC8 series (Result Sheets) were returned
the State Collation Officer (EC8D) or the to the state office for safety reasons and to
Constituency Returning Officer (as the case fast track the processing of CTC by the legal
may be) for final declaration. department.

The process for collation and management Issues and Challenges Associated
of results was carefully implemented in with the Election
all the elections. The RA collation officers
confirmed the record of accredited voters in A lot of issues and challenges were thrown
the BVAS before establishing cases of over- up by the 2023 General Election in the

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

state. These include the following: e. There were cases of violence, thuggery,
snatching of BVAS and destruction of
a. Incessant attacks of INEC facilities by election process which affected two PUs
unknown gunmen prior to the election each in Awgu and Aninri LGA, six PUs
of 25th February, 2023; in Udenu LGA, one PU each in Igboetiti
and Nsukka LGAs, and few other areas;
b. The scarcity of fuel and policy of change
in currency frustrated the movement f. Insufficient time for proper training and
of voters, ad hoc personnel, vehicle re-training of ad-hoc personnel;
operators, etc.;
g. Nonchalant attitude of vehicle drivers
c. Failure of IPMAN/NNPC fuel and some security agents;
arrangement delayed the arrival of hired
vehicles for movement of men and h. Inadequate security personnel at the
materials; PUs; and

d. Poor network service or failure of BVAS i. Insufficient funds for effective

to upload results necessitated the implementation of electoral activities
attacks and hostage-taking of ad hoc especially the management of security
staff by unknown hoodlums; challenges.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

12.5.5
Imo State Sylvia Uchenna Agu
Capital City: Imo Resident Electoral Commissioner, Imo State

Delimitation Data

27 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
10 Federal
Constituencies
27 State
Constituencies

305
No of RAs
4,758
No of PUs
2,419,922
No of Registered
Voters
2,280,339
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction The state has a handful of recreation

centres and a booming hospitality industry
Imo State was created out of the former dotted across its landscape. The people are
East Central State on the 3rd of February highly sociable and accommodating. A vast
1976 by the regime of late General Murtala majority of the people are into subsistence
Mohammed. It is one of the five states of farming. Imo State is also an oil producing
the Igbo extraction that presently constitute state.
the South-East geo-political zone in Nigeria.
It shares boundaries with Enugu state to
the North, Anambra state to the West,
Pre-Election Activities
Rivers state to the South and Abia state to
Series of meetings were held organized by
the East. Thus, the state is referred to as
the management with the Electoral Officers
the Eastern Heartland because of its central
and the general staff in order to plan and
location in the South-East. It has the Oguta
map out strategies for the elections. As part
Blue Lake as its major tourist attraction
of the planning activities, a comprehensive
and covers over 5,530 square kilometres of
audit of electoral materials was done to
Nigeria landmass. Imo State has 27 LGAs,
determine what was in stock and the
3 Senatorial Districts, 10 Federal and 27
shortfalls that needed to be supplied by
State Constituencies 305 RAs and 4,758
the headquarters. A check-list of non-
PUs. It has a registered voter population of
sensitive materials was generated and sent
2,419,922, of which 2,280,339 voters had
to the headquarters for the national logistic
collected their PVCs.
planning.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Continuous Voter Registration and the state had been verified to participate
PVC Collection in the election duties. Even when the
application portal was opened during
The Continuous Voter’s Registration training to accommodate more people from
(CVR) and Permanent Voters Card (PVC) the state, not much could be achieved. This
collection exercise commenced nationwide made the state to resort to off-line sourcing
on the … of June 2021 and was suspended of ad hoc staff to recruit and fill the huge
on the 31st of July 2022. At the beginning gap.
and up till few months to the exercise, there
was a lull in participation by prospective Training and Deployment of Ad Hoc
registrants and registered voters who Staff
ought to collect their PVCs. The reason for
the lack of interest was beyond insecurity. The official training for the election
Insecurity at the time and even now is a commenced on the 3rd of February 2023
national problem. It had more to do with with the training of Election Security
the general inertia about voting in Nigerian Personnel (ESP). It was the first time INEC
elections. As the elections drew nearer and took total control and direct training of
with rigorous sensitization programmes, ESP. In the past, representatives of security
the continuous voter registration and PVC agencies were trained and asked to go back
collection exercise picked up in Imo State. At and conclude the training of men in their
the end of the exercise, the state recorded a formations without supervision. At the
total of 2,419,922 registered voters. end of the training, a huge shortfall of poll
officials (POs and APOs) existed. Only about
Election Personnel: Sourcing, 10,789 out of 19,032 persons required in
Recruitment, Training, Deployment these categories could be trained. A make-
and Remuneration up training was quickly arranged which
made it possible for more persons to be
The sourcing of ad hoc staff for 2023 engaged.
General Election was done mainly through
the INECPRESS. The platform was used The deployment of staff for the election
to canvas for applications from interested was done in line with the Commission’s
and suitable members of public to serve guidelines. At the end of the election, the
in various capacities during the elections. deployed staff and the materials for the
The sourcing targeted the agencies and elections were properly retrieved in reverse.
institutions approved by the Commission.
Political Party Activities
However, in Imo State, the response
to Commission’s solicitation via the The Commission in Imo state monitored
INECPRESS was abysmally low. Before the party congresses, primaries, and substitution
training organized for the ad hoc staff, only primaries. Before any monitoring exercise,
10,789 out of about 19,032 staff needed in

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

the political parties would have submitted c. Deployment of Assistive Devices to the
the locations and list of contact person field for use by people in need.
and would have written a letter notifying
the Commission of a congress or primaries. Receipt of Sensitive and Non-
During the 2023 election season, a total of Sensitive Materials
17 political parties were monitored.
The state received enough non-sensitive
Stakeholder Engagement materials for the 2023 General Election
including ballot boxes, cubicles, mats, and
Multi-level consultation and meetings were a host of electoral consumables. These
held with stakeholder to bring them up to materials could not be deployed to the
speed on modalities and arrangements for LGAs due to security challenges until
the elections. While Electoral Officers met close to the election. This posed a serious
with stakeholder within their LGAs, the state logistics challenge to the Commission in
office met with stakeholders at the state the state since the deployment of both
level. A broad spectrum of stakeholders sensitive and non-sensitive materials had to
was mobilized during each engagement be done simultaneously. It took extra effort
including party leaders, candidates, security and resilience of staff at the head office and
agencies, media, CSOs, PWDs, etc. The LGAs to be able to handle the situation.
Commission, at the end of each meeting,
gained useful insights about existing The paper-based sensitive materials arrived
strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and CBN, Owerri on time. However, the BVAS
threats as the elections drew closer. The arrived the state in batches and continued
meetings also provided the Commission to arrive till the eve of the election making
in the state, the opportunity to get first- the configuration and charging of the
hand information about areas where extra equipment a nightmare for staff who worked
caution was needed and the general nature 24 hours a day to meet the target. Both
of insecurity in the state. sensitive and non-sensitive materials were
moved to the LGAs 3 days to the election.
Persons living with disability were given
due attention during the elections. The Activation of Registration Area
following measures were used to ensure Camps (RACs)
inclusivity.
Registration Area Camps (RACs) were used
a. Engagement with Visually Impaired in the state for the Presidential/NASS and
Person (VIPs) on the use of Braille Ballot State Assembly elections in Imo State.
However, most of the LGAs did not operate
b. Engagement with sign language the normal RACs or Super RACs but
interpreters who officiated at the operated a single mega camp in their LGAs.
state collation centres for presidential
election. Before the election, most of the Electoral
Officers wrote to the Resident Electoral

335
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Commissioner, requesting for approval to the headquarters, the state also raised
suspend the use of RACs and Super RACs teams of monitors from the state. Heads
during the election. This was based on the of Department and some Heads of Unit
security assessment of the areas at the time were deployed to monitor the different
by security agencies and local stakeholders states of the election. A coalition of civil
in the LGAs. It was believed that keeping ad societies and observer groups took part in
hoc staff in several locations at the RACs election observations. All the above helped
might overstretch and weaken the capacity to increase the field assets that assisted in
of security personnel to secure the locations. getting real-time information on what was
In many instances, the security agencies happening during the elections.
advised the use of one central place per
LGA so that they would concentrate their Configuration BVAS and Mock
security assets thereby increasing their Accreditation Exercise
presence in such locations.
The BVAS devices used in Imo State
Logistics and Transport were received late. The consignment for
the state continued to arrive till the eve
The National Union of Road Transport of the 25th of February 2023 election.
Workers (NURTW), National Association of The late deployment to the state was
Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and other understandable. There were security
private vehicle providers were engaged to issues and attacks on INEC facilities in the
provide transport for men and materials state which made the Commission to be
during the election. The contract for the strategic in the movement of the BVAS to
provision of vehicle was not satisfactorily the state. The configuration of the BVAS
executed by the unions during the was completed and the equipment fully
Presidential/NASS election. The Unions charged and deployed to the LGAs before
boycotted some LGAs, citing insecurity as the election.
the reason for not deploying their vehicles
to such LGAs. In the areas where they The Mock Accreditation exercise using the
accepted to operate, some of the drivers BVAS device held on Saturday the 4th of
did not perform optimally. In view of the February 2023 and it was monitored by
above, the Electoral Officers were asked to the INEC team, with the European Union
source for vehicles from their LGAs during observer team. In all the PUs visited, the
the second election. Other components of BVAS device performed maximally. All
logistics were properly handled, leading to a the PVCs and prospective voters were
successful exercise at the end. successfully accredited. The day-long
activity ended successfully and feedback
Monitoring and Support for Field from perspective voters were impressive.
Activities

The elections were properly monitored.

Apart from several monitoring teams from

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Conduct of the Elections declared due to margin of lead principle.

(25th of February, 18th The declaration of the result for the Okigwe/
of March and 15th April Isiala Mbano/Onuimo Federal Constituency
was also halted due to disagreement among
2023) contestants in the Federal Constituency
The election of the 25th of February 2023 about the admissibility of the results of
did not start early in Imo State. Several the election. Some aggrieved contestants
reasons were responsible. protested that results were generated
from areas where election did not take
a. The members of the transport unions place particularly in Okigwe LGA due to
who were engaged to provide vehicles insecurity. The result of the election could
for the election did not report for duty not be declared, and the issue was brought
early enough. They had declined to sleep before the Honourable Resident Electoral
over at the Super RACs, citing insecurity Commissioner (REC). Sequel to the above,
as their main reason. a Committee was set up to investigate the
Okigwe/Isiala Mbano/Onuimo Federal
b. Ad hoc staff were apprehensive to sleep Constituency results. Upon insistence
in the camps because they said that by the Electoral Officer for Okigwe LGA
unarmed security personnel did not that the results in dispute were from the
inspire confidence in them. field and election took place in every RA,
albeit in clusters of PUs due to insecurity,
c. The use of centralized mega RACs the Commission directed the Returning
delayed deployment to PUs. Officer and the stakeholders to go back to
the constituency collation centre to make a
d. The unavailability of security men at declaration.
the time movement was designed
to commence from the RACs to the The House of Assembly election on the
PUs delayed commencement of 18th of March 2023 was a better outing
polls. However, in view of the late in terms of performance of the drivers,
commencement of polls in many polling the participation by ad hoc staff and early
units, the Commission extended the commencement of polls. Although there
voting period till late in the evening of were skirmishes here and there in the state,
the 25th of February 2023 such that all nothing was outstandingly untoward to
those who were patient enough were warrant a repeat of the apathy and stay-at-
able to vote. home that really marred the first election.
However, at the end of the State Assembly
At the end of voting and collation of results election, some areas remained inconclusive.
which extended to the 26th and in some The following state constituencies could
places, the 27th of February 2023, it was not be declared – Isu State Constituency,
clear that election could not be concluded Ideato South State Constituency and Ahiazu
in two Federal Constituencies of Isu/Njaba/ Mbaise State Constituency.
Nkwerre/Nwangele and Mbaitoli/Ikeduru
Federal Constituency. Both could not be
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Supplementary Election polling units could not start in some LGAs

on time because there were no policemen to
A Supplementary Election was conducted for escort men and materials. The Honourable
areas where election could not be concluded REC had to literally beg each time there was
on the 25th of February and the 18th of need for security intervention.
March 2023 elections. The Supplementary
Election was held on the 15th of April Issues and Challenges Associated
2023 in one (1) Federal Constituency with the Election
and three (3) State Constituencies. The
constituencies involved in the election were In Imo state, the following issues and
in Ikeduru/Mbaitoli Federal Constituency, challenges defined the context in which the
Ahiazu/ Mbaise State Constituency, Isu elections were held.
State Constituency and Ideato State
• Elevated security threats in the build-up
Constituency. Also, the result of Nwangele/
to the elections
Nkwerre/Isu/Njaba Federal Constituency
was declared after collating the suspended
• Service providers especially the vehicle
Njaba results. The supplementary election
drivers picked and chose the areas they
was conducted without many issues.
wanted to operate, thereby causing huge
logistical nightmare in at least 5 LGAs.
Election Security
Even in LGAs where they accepted to
operate, their service was anything but
The state faced a lot of challenges in
satisfactory
adequately staffing the polling units for
the election. General apprehension and
• Ad-hoc election personnel were
palpable fear pervaded the entire political
not enough for the election duties.
landscape in the build-up to the exercise in
Apparently, a lot of people refused to
Imo state. Apart from the general insecurity
offer themselves for the assignment due
in the country at the time, there were daring
to security concerns.
moves by miscreants to instil fears into
people and prevent them from coming to • The BVAS machines used in Imo state
vote. However, the security agencies under were supplied late leading to insufficient
the aegis of ICCES rose to the occasion and period to do configuration and further
were able to push back, and in some cases technical auditing and assessment.
arrest persons suspected to be involved in
violence in the state. • The cashless policy adopted by the
Federal Government made it difficult
The police were somewhat amorphous and, for some of the electoral tasks to be
in most instances, did not show the kind of implemented timorously.
leadership required of a lead agency. It was
reported that in several polling units and • RACs and Super RACs could not be fully
Super RACs, there were no police personnel. activated due to insecurity in the state.
Election personnel and voters were left
at the mercy of providence. Movement to

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12.6 South-South Geo-political Zone

Introduction zone has 123 LGAs, 1,408 RAs, 27,126 PUs,
and 14,440,714 registered voters. With a
The South-South Zone comprises of 6 total of 13,284,920 PVCs collected before
states, namely Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross the 2019 GE the zone has an overall PVC
River, Delta, Edo and Rivers. The zone has collection rate of 92% as shown in Table
a landmass of 84, 587 km2. Altogether, the 12.5 below.

Table 12.6: Delimitation Data for the South-South Zone on State-by-State Basis

S/N State LGAs SD FC SC RAs PUs Reg. Voters PVCs Km2

Collected

1 Akwa-Ibom 31 3 10 26 329 4,353 2,357,418 2,198,628 7,081

2 Bayelsa 8 3 5 24 105 2,244 1,056,862 1,009,895 10,773

3 Cross River 18 3 8 25 193 3,281 1,766,466 1,672,810 20,156

4 Delta 25 3 10 29 270 5,863 3,221,697 2,989,514 17,698

5 Edo 18 3 9 24 192 4,519 2,501,081 2,128,288 17,802

6 Rivers 23 3 13 32 319 6,866 3,537,190 3,285,785 11,077

Totals 123 18 55 160 1408 27,126 14,440,714 13,284,920 84,587

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12.6.1
Akwa Ibom State Cyril Omoregbe
Capital City: Uyo Resident Electoral Commissioner, Akwa Ibom
State

Delimitation Data

31 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
10 Federal
Constituencies
26 State
Constituencies

329
No of RAs
4,353
No of PUs
2,357,418
No of Registered
Voters
2,198,628
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction registered voters stood at 2,357,418 on the

eve of the election, with 2,198,628 voters
Akwa Ibom state is a state in the South- collecting their PVCs.
South geopolitical Zone of Nigeria bounded
on the east by Cross River state, on the The 2023 General Election were slated
west by Rivers and Abia states, and on for the 25th of February and the 11th of
the South by the Atlantic Ocean with a March 2023 respectively. The Presidential
landmass of 7,081 km2. The state takes its and National Assembly elections were
name from the Qua Iboe River which bisects conducted on the 25th of February
the state before flowing into the Bight of 2023. However, the Governorship and
Bonny. The capital of Akwa Ibom state is State Houses of Assembly elections were
Uyo. The state was created on the 23rd of rescheduled to the 18th of March 2023.
September 1987 with a population of five
million four hundred and fifty-one thousand
(5,451,000). Akwa Ibom is predominantly
Pre-Election Activities
peopled by the Ibibios, Anans and Oron. Activities with the Continuous Voter
Other ethnic groups are the Ijaw speaking Registration (CVR) were concluded before
people in Eastern Obolo and Ibeno LGAs. most other activities for the elections
started. The CVR was successfully done in
The State has 31 LGAs, 3 Senatorial Districts,
three phases. The last phase (Third Phase)
10 Federal and 26 State Constituencies,
of the CVR ended in July 2022. The CVR
329 RAs and 4,353 PUs. Its number of

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recorded 326,000 registered voters in the Election. The contribution of the FRSC was
state and PVC Collection had a positive outstanding in transportation.
turn out. It accounted for about 93% of
registered voters in Akwa Ibom state. In line with the Commission’s policy and
directive on specific requirement, ad hoc
Recruitment of ad hoc staff was through staff were short-listed from the Federal
INECPRESS list of applicants sent from Ministries, Federal Commissions and
the Headquarters. Availability check and Agencies, as well as students of federal
screening was conducted, while training list tertiary institutions. The performance of
was drawn based on several assessment the Collation Officers and Presiding Officers
tests taken by applicants /trainees. was substantially good. Party Primaries were
Deployment of personnel was done based held within the time-lines with candidates
on location where the individual applied emerging as flag bearers of the eighteen
to work. This was also to ease costs of political parties. The Commission also
transportation and movement on the day of engaged stakeholders in several meetings
election. preparatory to the 2023 General Election.
These stakeholders included political party
Similarly, several trainings were held executives, President Generals of Town
preparatory to the 2023 General Election. Unions, religious leaders, youth leaders,
To sustain the RAC/Super RAC regime, party agents, the ICCES, community leaders,
electoral officers were made to identify Civil Societies Organizations, MDAs,
locations conducive to serve as RACs and National Association of Transport Owners
Super RACs. These locations were activated (NATO), and the Maritime Workers’ Union
with basic facilities for camping put in place of Nigeria (NWUN). The Commission was
before the election. These RACS and Super able to push through. The configuration
RACS were activated, and personnel were and deployment of election personnel in
camped in these locations for the purpose the state included 4,353 Presiding Officers,
of proximity and early start of polls. 13,059 Assistant Presiding Officers,
703 Collation Officers, 455 Supervisory
Transportation of personnel and materials Presiding Officers, 14 Returning Officers,
was plagued with the usual crisis that 329 RAC/Super RAC Managers and 11,264
characterize dealings with transporters Security personnel.
despite the MoU between the Commission
and the three unions engaged- National
Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Conduct of the Election
National Association of Transport Owners
(NATO) and Maritime Workers Union Presidential and National Assembly
of Nigeria (MWUN). The Federal Road Elections of the 25th of February 2023
Safety Commission (FRSC) performed so
extraordinarily. The FRSC donated five (5) The Presidential, Senatorial District and
Hilux vehicles and a bus to convey personnel House of Representatives elections took
and materials throughout the 2023 General place as scheduled on the 25th of February

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2023 across the thirty-one (31) LGAs of Constituency;

Akwa Ibom state.
b. Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency; and
The election was substantially peaceful.
However, there were pockets of violence c. Etim Ekpo/Ika State Constituency
in some of the LGAs which led to the
cancellation of elections in several polling Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency
units. Consequent upon these cancellations, supplementary election as well as that
returns could not be made in two Federal of Etim Ekpo/Ika state constituency
Constituencies because of the margin of supplementary held successfully. However,
lead principle. The Federal Constituencies the supplementary election in Ikono/
so affected were Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Ini Federal Constituency was violently
Federal Constituency and Ikono/Ini Federal disrupted in all the 17 polling Units that
Constituency. Supplementary elections were marked for the election. There were
were scheduled in designated polling units sporadic shootings from armed men during
where elections were cancelled for these which some of the election materials were
two federal constituencies on the 15th of snatched, torn, or scattered and some
April 2023. election personnel sustained injuries. A
Corps Member was shot on the leg, and
Governorship and State House of he had to undergo multiple surgeries.
Assembly Election of the 18th of One of the Commission’s staff had a
March 2023 machete cut on his head while some others
were brutalized. Election personnel and
The election held as rescheduled on materials were forcefully taken to unknown
the 18th of March 2023. Just like in the destinations even though some were
presidential election, it was substantially eventually rescued. The Commission in the
peaceful. However, there were still pockets circumstances of the consistent violence
of violence in some LGAs which led to applied the provisions of paragraph 100
the cancellation of results in some polling (v) of the Regulations and Guidelines for
units, thereby precipitating the need for a the Conduct of Elections 2022 and made a
supplementary election in Etim Ekpo/Ika declaration for the Constituency.
State Constituency.
Security
The Supplementary Election of the
15th of April 2023 Even though the 2023 General Election
were substantially peaceful in Akwa Ibom
The supplementary elections slated for state, the policing of the entire elections
Saturday the 15th of April 2023 held as was weak. Many of the polling units had no
scheduled. The elections were scheduled security personnel. However, the security
for the following Constituencies: outfits who were spread across the LGAs as
much as possible operated within the limit
a. Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal of their ability.

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Opening of Polls and Accreditation Reverse Logistics

Process
There were two layers of reverse logistics
For all the elections in 2023, about eighty after both the Presidential and Governorship
percent (80%) of the polling units were Elections. Sensitive materials, that is, result
opened by 8:30am when polls commenced. sheets and ballot papers, BVAS and register
This marks a significant improvement. of voters were retrieved and sent to the
Also, about 80% of polling units closed state office for proper custody/storage.
at 4.30pm. Despite the initial teething However, during the elections, Akwa Ibom
problems with the use of BVAS, the BVAS state INEC lost fifty (50) BVAS, because of
was 90% efficient. There were technical violence and related incidences.
teams to address issues on BVAS across the
31 LGAs in places where there were hitches Issues and Challenges
with the use of BVAS. Accreditation with
BVAS in all the elections was substantially Some of the challenges encountered during
successful. the 2023 General Election in Akwa Ibom
state included the following:
Election Monitoring and Support
Centre (EMSC) a. Lack of adequate security

The EMSC was at its peak as the Centre b. Conspiracy from drivers and transporters
was activated throughout the elections.
c. Violence
The Centre effectively monitored events
during the elections with a strong feedback
d. Lack of sufficient time for training of ad
mechanism especially, around deployment
hoc personnel
of personnel, movement of materials,
opening and closing of polls and risk
management.

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12.6.2
Bayelsa State Emmanuel Alex Hart
Capital City: Yenagoa Resident Electoral Commissioner, Bayelsa
State

Delimitation Data

8 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
5 Federal
Constituencies
24 State
Constituencies

105
No of RAs
2,244
No of PUs
1,056,862
No of Registered
Voters
1,009,895
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction The Presidential and National Assembly

(NASS) Elections held in Bayelsa state
Bayelsa State is in the Niger Delta Region as scheduled by the Commission on the
of Southern Nigeria. The State was created 25th of February 2023 across the eight
from the Old Rivers State on the 1st of (8) Local Government Areas. The Election
October 1996. Geographically, the state was generally peaceful apart from a few
is located within Latitudes 4015`` and areas where there were reported incidents
5023``N and Longitudes 5015`` and 60 of pockets of violence and delays in
45``E. It is bounded to the North by Delta commencement of polls. In most areas,
state, to the East by Rivers state, and to accreditation and voting were successfully
the South and West by the Atlantic Ocean. completed and results were also successfully
The state occupies an area of about 10,773 collated.
km2. The state capital is Yenagoa. Bayelsa
state has 8 LGAs, 3 Senatorial Districts,
5 Federal and 24 State Constituencies,
Pre-Election Activities
105 RAs and 2,244 PUs. It has 1,056,862
Planning Activities
registered voters with 1,009,985 PVCs
collected. The state is known for its vast
As part of the preparation for the 2023
crude oil and natural gas reserves and has
General Election and in line with 2023
other numerous forest and water resources
Election Project Plan, several management,
as it is over 70% riverine.
and Inter-Agencies Consultative Committee
on Election Security (ICCES) meetings were

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

held to look at the level of preparedness, that were deployed to various Collation
audit of election materials, stakeholders Centres. All the personnel for the General
mapping and analysis as well as conflict Election were trained in line with the training
analysis and mapping. It also provided objectives and plan of the Commission
opportunity to appraise staff performance nationally and were subsequently deployed
and preparedness for the election. Several to their various duty posts during the
in-house trainings were also held as part elections.
of the preparation for the elections in
addition to the scheduled trainings by the Political Party Activities and
Commission. Stakeholders’ Engagements

Conduct of CVR and PVC Collection The state office through the EPM monitored
Exercise the political party primaries and nomination
processes in the state in line with the
The Continuous Voter Registration electoral time-line. Party primaries were
exercise started in June 2021 and ended conducted within the stipulated time-
in August 2022. The PVC distribution was line of the Independent National Electoral
also done within the same period as PVCs Commission (INEC). Candidates were duly
were supplied in batches to the state. The nominated for the elections in accordance
distribution of PVCs was done from the with their party’s guidelines. As part of the
6th of January 2023 to the 5th of February preparation for the General Election, office
2023. This was done in the LGAs and then of the Resident Electoral Commissioner
down to the RAs to ensure as many persons (REC) and Voters Education and Publicity
as possible collect their PVCs before the (VEP) Department organized various
Election Day. interactive sessions, town-hall meetings,
radio programmes and enlightenment
Electoral Personnel activities in the state.

The Commission established INECPRES Electoral Staff Training, Recruitment,

with a National level Committee to manage, and Deployment
supervise and coordinate the recruitment
of key ad-hoc personnel for the 2023 As part of the policy of the Commission
General Election across the country. A total and in line with the 2023 Election Project
of 9,701 ad-hoc personnel were used on Plan, training was scheduled for various
the Election Day. This included Presiding categories of personnel starting with the
Officers (POs), Assistant Presiding Officers Election Security Personnel (ESP) from
(APOs), Supervisory Presiding Officers the 3rd – the 7th of February 2023 at the
(SPOs), Registration Area Technicians State and Senatorial District Levels. This
(RATECHs), LGTECHS, Collation Officers was closely followed by the training of the
(COs), Returning Officers (ROs) and RAC Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs) from
Managers. Apart from these, there was also the 11th – the 12th of February 2023. The
other staff like the CSRVS, monitors, etc., training of the Presiding Officers/Assistant

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Presiding Officers took place from the 14th Identification, Preparation and
– the 16th of February 2023, although two Activation of RACs & SRACs
LGAs (Nembe and Brass) had to extend
theirs to the 19th and 20th of February A total of 99 RACs and 6 Super RACs were
2023 because of security issues in Nembe identified across the 8 LGAs of the state.
LGA. The training of Collation Officers All the RACs were prepared and activated
(COs)/Returning Officers (ROs) took place for the election although some could not
from the 21st – the 22nd of February be used because of security challenges on
2023. It should also be noted that when the the eve of the election. Most affected were
Governorship and State House of Assembly RACs and Super RACs in Southern Ijaw and
Elections were postponed, refresher Nembe LGAs.
training was conducted for all categories of
ad-hoc staff on the 16th and 17th of March Logistics Preparation:
2023. Transportation Plan, Procurement
and Implementation
Sensitive and Non-Sensitive
Electoral Materials For the General Election, a Logistics
Committee was set up in line with
Receipt of Non-Sensitive materials started Commission guidelines. Transportation/
on the 22nd of November 2022, and they procurement plans were developed and
were stored in the state office. Distribution implemented in line with the MoUs signed
of non-sensitive materials started on the with the National Union of Road Transport
19th of January 2023 while inspection Workers (NURTW), National Association of
and distribution of sensitive materials at Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the
CBN, Yenagoa took place from the 20th Maritime Union in the state. The Committee
of February 2023 to the 23rd of February was headed by the Resident Electoral
2023. Sensitive materials were all stored at Commissioner.
the CBN before distribution to various LGAs
who moved them directly to the RACs and Configuration and Deployment of
SUPER RACs while non-sensitive materials Accreditation Devices (EVR, VR and
were moved from the state office to the BVAS)
LGAs. Reverse logistics was implemented
in retrieving materials after the elections. A total of 2,279 BVAS were configured two
While the non-sensitive materials were weeks before the elections and deployed
taken to the LGA Offices for storage, the with additional 107 as back-ups. The BVAS
sensitive materials including results sheets performed excellently well across the state
were submitted to the state office and with minimal reports of issues. The EVR
stored in the strong room. and VR were also deployed based on the
number of Polling Units across the 8 Local
Government Areas of the state.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Conduct of the Elections case of the Supplementary Elections. The

average time for the opening of polls was
(25th of February, 18th of 8:00am.
March and 15th of April)
Accreditation and Voting Process
Deployment of Personnel and and Performance of Equipment
Materials
The accreditation and voting process was
Personnel and materials were deployed smooth and hitch free apart from isolated
from the 23rd – the 24th of February 2023 areas where there was interference by
to the various LGAs, RACs and Super RACs stakeholders or hoodlums. The BVAS
for the Presidential and National Assembly performed excellently well.
Elections while for the State House of
Assembly Elections, personnel and materials Election Security Architecture
were deployed from the 16th – the 17th
of March 2023. For the Supplementary The Election on the 25th of February and
Elections, deployment took place on the the 18th of March 2023 had issues of
15th of April 2023. inadequate security men deployed at the
RACs/Super RACs.
Performance of Transport Union
Members According to the Signed Closing of Polls
Contract
For the Election on the 25th of February
The transport Union members performed polls had to be extended because of the time
well although there were a few lapses they opened but this significantly improved
observed in the first Election on the 25th on the 18th of March, and the 15th of April
of February 2023. There were remarkable 2023 elections. The polls closed early as
improvements during the State House of stipulated by the Commission.
Assembly and Supplementary Elections.
Collation and Result Management
Opening of Polls System

Across the state, there was generally a late Collation of result was done at various levels
opening of polls for different reason for by the designated Collation officers. The
the Presidential and National Assembly Collation Centres at the various LGAs were
elections on the 25th of February 2023. prepared by the Electoral Officers while
The issue was more pronounced in Yenagoa the designated Collation Officers worked
LGA where the Commission had to shift with the Electoral Officers to ensure proper
the election in 141 Polling Units. The State management of the Collation Centre. At
House of Assembly and Supplementary the state and NASS level, CSRVS staff were
elections witnessed early opening of polls deployed to support the collation process.
across all the LGAs and affected PUs in the Generally, results collated at lower levels

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

submitted to the next level of collation and Election Project Plan. Reverse logistics was
the originals of all results were submitted fully implemented in all the Elections.
to the Electoral Operations Department
(EOps) for safe keeping. The Logistics Unit Issues and Challenges Associated
of the EOps ensured the retrieval and with the Elections
storage of all results sheets from the field.
All the results sheets were properly secured The following challenges were encountered
and safely kept in the strong room. It is during the General Election on the 25th of
important to add that some collations were February, the 18th of March and the 15th
done at the state office because of security of April 2023.
reasons.
a. The spate of insecurity across the state
Monitoring, Implementation and posed a serious threat to the conduct of
Support for Field Activities the elections. It increased the logistics
challenges faced by the Commission
The state office implemented the EMSC in Bayelsa state. There were reports of
and EOSC frameworks in monitoring violence in Southern Ijaw, Sagbama and
compliance and provided immediate and Ogbia LGAs.
effective support for the field activities in
line with the 2023 Election Project Plan. b. Inadequate security personnel at the
A Situation Room was set up and was PUs/RACs and Super RACs
functional all through the period of the
election. c. Desperate attitude of the political
class which led to the harassment of
Operations of the Situation Room Commission staff in some LGAs
and Election Management and
d. Difficult terrain that made transportation
Support Centre (EMSC)
and communication difficult and
expensive
The Situation Room was activated on the
23rd of February 2023 and was functional
e. Incidents of by-pass of the BVAS in a
and effective for the Presidential and
few cases
National Assembly Elections. The state
office implemented the EMSC and EOSC f. Missing and damaged BVAS
frameworks in monitoring compliance and
provided immediate and effective support
for the field activities in line with the 2023

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

12.6.3
Cross River State Yomere Gabriel Oritsemlebi
Capital City: Calabar Resident Electoral Commissioner, Cross River
State

Delimitation Data

18 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
8 Federal
Constituencies
25 State
Constituencies

193
No of RAs
3,281
No of PUs
1,766,466
No of Registered
Voters
1,672,810
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction Calabar; the Ekoi (Ejagham) of the inland

south; the Akunakuna, Boki, Bahumono,
Cross River state as a South-South state and Yako (Yakuri) of the central region; and
with the acronym ‘’The People’s Paradise’’ the Bekwarra, Ogoja, Bette, Igede, Ukelle of
was created on the 27th of May 1967 the northern region.
from the former Eastern Region, Nigeria
by the General Yakubu Gowon regime. It
is bordered to the North by Benue state,
Pre-Election Activities
to the West by Ebonyi and Abia states
Planning Activities
while its eastern border forms part of the
national border with Cameroon. Out of the
Series of management meetings were
36 states in Nigeria, Cross River is the 19th
held which was chaired by the Resident
largest in terms of land area with 20,156
Electoral Commissioner (REC). In the build-
km2 and the 27th most populous state,
up to the 2023 General Election, the State
with an estimated population of about 3.8
Management Team and REC appraised its
million as at 2016. The State has 18 LGAs,
experience on the conduct of elections
3 Senatorial Districts, 8 Federal and 25
and innovations to design the state road
State Constituencies, 193 RAs and 3,281
map for the conduct of the 2023 General
PUs. It has 1,766,466 registered voters,
Election. Thereafter, regular meetings were
with 1,672,810 PVCs collected. Cross River
held to fine tune the various positions with
state is inhabited by several ethnic groups,
the Heads of Department, Heads of Unit,
primarily the Efik of the riverside south and
Electoral/Assistant Electoral Officers.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Inventory/Audit of Election the Commission’s guidelines.

Materials
Training and Deployment
The Electoral Officers were asked to submit
check-list of non-sensitive and sensitive The training of ad-hoc staff commenced
electoral materials in their respective LGAs. two (2) weeks to the elections. Prior to
They were required to the list of election the Governorship and State House of
materials needed for the conduct of the Assembly Elections, the POs and APOs
2023 General Election. were re-trained to enable them to have
better understanding of the BVAS and
Conduct of CVR and PVC Collection the entire electoral process. The training
Exercise exercise for the 2023 General Election was
successful as planned by the Commission
The conduct of CVR exercise commenced in Cross River state. The various categories
on the 28th of June 2021 and ended on 31st of training were done on dates scheduled
of July 2022. A total of 239,177 registrants by the Commission. A total number of
were added to the voters’ register used for 328 Supervisory Presiding Officers, 3,281
the conduct of the elections, thus, giving Presiding Officer, 9,843 Assistant Presiding
both old and new registrants a total of Officer, 211 Collation Officers, 37 Returning
1,766,466. Officers, 328 RAC Managers, 18 LGTECHs
and 328 RATECHs were recruited. There
In compliance with INEC Guidelines, the was no shortage of personnel in any of the
display and clean-up of the Register of elections.
Voters was conducted from the 12th to
the 25th of November 2022 in the state. Payment of ad-hoc staff had a little challenge
Stakeholders were involved in public with INEC NIBBS e-payment platform for
sensitization for the collection of PVCs as OPAY/Access Bank and submission of wrong
approved by the Commission. The exercise account details. The issues were eventually
was also made seamless by establishing rectified by the Account Department.
collection points at designated Registration
Areas in Cross River state and ended on the Political Party Activities
5th of February 2023.
All major activities of political parties which
Electoral Personnel included party congresses, primaries, rallies,
and campaign, as well as finance were duly
The Ad hoc personnel were sourced from monitored by the Department of Election
serving NYSC members and staff of federal and Party Monitoring (EPM) in the state.
agencies, as well as staff and students of Seventeen (17) political parties conducted
federal tertiary institutions and MDAs in the primaries which were monitored by the
state. All ad-hoc staff to serve at any level Commission within the stipulated time.
applied through INECPRES portal and the Hence, they submitted themselves to the
recruitment exercise was done according to process of nomination of candidates for the

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

elections as provided by law. In furtherance the South-South Zonal Stores, Port Harcourt,
of the need for violent-free elections, the in Rivers state. The sensitive materials were
Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on received from the Central Bank of Nigeria,
Election Security (ICCES) chaired by the Calabar Branch and was confirmed by the
Resident Electoral Commissioner and co- Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC),
chaired by the Commissioner of Police Administrative Secretary, HOD, and staff
organized a Peace Accord for all candidates of Electoral Operations. They were batched
and political parties that participated in the and distributed to the eighteen (18)
elections in Cross River state. Electoral Officers in the presence of all the
political parties and top security personnel
Stakeholder Engagements (stakeholders).

The State Office organized and promoted Identification, Preparation and

several stakeholders’ meetings to engender Activation of RACS and SRACS
confidence in the electoral process.
Accordingly, it organized interactions and A total of 193 Registration Area Camps
discussions through meetings, seminars, (RACs) were used in the 2023 General
political parties, traditional rulers, Election in Cross River state. The RACs for
workshops, religious leaders, CSOs, CBOs, the 18 LGAs in the state were identified
FBOs, etc., to constantly brief them on the early enough and adequate activation and
activities for the 2023 General Election as preparations made. These facilities were
well as solicit their support in the process. put in place before the activation of RACs
on February 22, and March 15, 2023,
Training, Deployment and Retrieval respectively.

Training for the 2023 General Election took Logistics Preparation

place at different venues depending on the (Transportation Plans, Procurement,
categories to be trained. Trained staff were and Implementation)
deployed to various Local Government
Areas to serve at different capacities. There There was adequate provision of vehicles
was adequate number of trained staff to through the Memorandum of Understanding
serve in Cross River state. All the men and (MoU) between the Commission and the
materials deployed for the 2023 General National Union of Road Transport Workers
Election were retrieved. There was no (NURTW), The Nigerian Association of
case of death apart from reported cases of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the
violence in some parts of the state. National Union of Maritime Worker as
well as Motorcycles for the transportation
Sensitive and Non-Sensitive of personnel and election materials.
Electoral Materials The Transport Strategy Plan involved
deployment of vehicles for the movement
In preparation for the 2023 General Election, of men and materials for the elections.
non-sensitive materials were received from

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Configuration and Deployment of units. The voters turn-out was impressive

Accreditation Devices (EVR and in the Presidential/NASS election, while
BVAS) the Governorship/SHA had a lower turn
out as against the previous election held
The ICT Department configured and on the 25th of February 2023. Bakassi
deployed all the devices for the 2023 LGA witnessed more of the voter apathy.
General Election. The Bimodal Voter Generally, the election was free and fair in
Accreditation System (BVAS), and Electronic most polling units and wards.
Voter Register (EVR) were ready for the
elections. Accreditation, Voting Process and
Performance of Equipment

Conduct of Elections (the The procedure of voting adopted in all

25th of February and the the elections in the state was continuous
accreditation and voting system. This
18th of March) process allows voters to finish their
accreditation and voting and leaving their
Deployment of Personnel and various polling units if they so desire. In
Materials Cross River state, the process started mostly
by 8:00am and closed at 2:30pm after the
The men and materials needed for the last voter on the queue had been attended
2023 General Election were deployed on or to. Reports received from Electoral Officers
before eve of the Elections. Both personnel indicated that generally, voting was smooth.
and materials for the elections were The RATECHs and LGTECHs were on
complete. Some of the Transport Union ground to attend to most challenges. They
members violated the signed MoU while a were indeed up and doing as they offered
few of them obeyed the signed contract. the desired assistance where and when
The disappointment by the Transport Union necessary.
was mostly observed during the Presidential
and National Assembly elections but Collation and Result Management
was better after serious warning by the System
Commission during the Governorship and
State Assembly elections. At the end of voting at the PUs, votes
were sorted, counted and the scores of the
Opening of Polls candidates and their parties were loudly
announced. Thereafter, the result was
On the Election Days (25th February and
entered into the result sheets, the duly
18th March 2023), most polling units
signed result by the party’s representatives
opened at 8.00am. The election was
were pasted at the Polling Units in Forms
generally peaceful in most polling units
EC60E and the POs were accompanied by
while some recorded pockets of violence,
security and party agents to the RA Collation
thus, elections could not hold in such polling
Centres. Collation and Returning Officers

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at RA, LGA and State levels aggregated Implementation of Collation and Result
the scores of the candidates and declared Management Process
winners accordingly. Although, there were
cancellation of results in some PUs which The application of result management as
were recorded in Form EC 40G, this did not stipulated by the Commission was adopted
affect the overall results. by INEC Cross River state during collation
of results in all the collation centres for the
The outcome of the elections was 2023 General Election. All the collation
announced, and winners were declared by procedure was duly followed, and the
the Returning Officers, who followed due margin of lead principle applied.
process as required by relevant electoral
laws in doing so. Operation of the Situation Room
and Election Monitoring and
Monitoring, Implementation and Support Centre (EMSC)
Support for Field Activities
The Election Monitoring and Support
The 2023 General Election were properly Centre (EMSC) is a platform as created
monitored by staff from the state and INEC by the Commission to monitor, track, and
Headquarters, Abuja. During the monitoring, implement the Election Project Plan (EPP),
prompt field support was given where there and its activities in the 2023 General
was need for that by the Commission. In all, Election was very crucial to the success
there was effective monitoring and support of the elections. The EMSC team which
for field activities in the state during the comprised of the Desk Officers of Election
2023 General Election. Management System (EMS), Election
Risk Management (ERM) and Electoral
Election Security Architecture Operations Support Centre (EOSC) was
effective in the state during the election
The Inter-Agency Consultative Committee period. The process gave the bird-eye view
on Election Security (ICCES) was a strong of the actual monitoring of the 2023 General
election security architecture in the 2023 Election in the state including monitoring,
General Election. ICCES was headed by tracking, identifying risk, reporting,
the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) batching, and deployment of sensitive and
with the Commissioner of Police as the Co- non-sensitive election materials as well as
Chairman. All other security heads were personnel.
members with NYSC and NOA as members,
also. The 2023 General Election Situation Room
was activated on the 23rd of February 2023
Closing of Polls for Presidential and National Assembly and
the 16th of March 2023 for Governorship
Voting in the state during the 2023 General and State Assembly elections. The
Election closed by 2:30pm as far as the last EOSC Data Administrators uploaded the
person on the queue has voted. compliance and threat matrix data from the

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

activity areas hourly. inadequate security personnel, late

distribution of last batch of sensitive
Reverse Logistics materials received on Friday 24th February,
2023 from the Central Bank, hence, late
After successful elections, the result sheets activation of RACs/Super RACs, voter
(EC 8 series) and non-sensitive materials apathy in all the three thousand, two
from respective LGAs were returned to the hundred and eighty one (3,281) Polling
Logistics Officer, and Electoral Operations Units due to the outcome of the February
Department. 25, 2023 Presidential/National Assembly
Election were some of the challenges
Issues and Challenges Associated encountered.
with the Elections

Late arrival of some non-sensitive and

sensitive materials to the state office,

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

12.6.4
Delta State Monday Udoh Tom
Capital City: Asaba Resident Electoral Commissioner, Delta State

Delimitation Data

25 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
10 Federal
Constituencies
29 State
Constituencies

270
No of RAs
5,863
No of PUs
3,221,697
No of Registered
Voters
2,989,514
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction population comprises of many ethnic

groups. The major ethnic groups are Igbo,
Delta state was excised from the former Itsekiri, Urhobo, Ijaw and Isoko.
Bendel State in 1991. It is one of the major
oil producing states in the Niger Delta
region of Nigeria. The state is bounded
Pre-Election Activities
on the North by Edo state, on the East by
Planning Activities
Anambra and Rivers states, on the South
by Bayelsa state and on the West by Ondo
Management met on the 26th of February
state and the Bight of Benin of the Atlantic
2022, to plan for the implementation
Ocean. It lies within Latitudes 50 00’N
of key aspects of the timetable and
and 6030’N and Longitudes 5000’E and
Schedule of Activities for 2023 General
6045’E. It covers an area of approximately
Election and Election Project Plan (EPP).
17,698 km2. The 2006 population census
Management also considered and adopted
puts the population of the state at about
implementation strategy as contained in
4.09 million people. The state has 25 LGAs,
the circular to states for update and stock
3 Senatorial Districts, 10 Federal and 29
taking of electoral materials in preparations
State Constituencies, 270 RAs and 5,863
for the 2023 General Election. The state
PUs. It has 3,221,697 registered voters
office hosted several supervisory teams
with 2,989,514 PVCs collected. Besides
from Headquarters, Abuja, to ensure
Asaba, which is the State Capital, other
readiness, assurance, and compliance with
important towns include Warri, Sapele,
directives on the plans and processes for
Ughelli, Oghara, Agbor, Koko, Ogwashi-
the conduct of the elections.
ukwu, Burutu, Ozoro and Okpanam. The
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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Conduct of CVR and PVC Collection ICCES, youths, PWDs, traditional rulers,
Exercise women group, religious leaders and
influencers/opinion leaders, CBOs, FBOs,
In line with the Commission’s electoral MDAs and international development
cycle and pre-election activity matrix partners in Delta state.
for 2023 General Election, the state
office commenced the Continuous Voter Training of Electoral Staff
Registration (CVR) and Permanent Voters
Card (PVC) collection exercise from the The training exercises undertaken by the
26th of June 2021 to the 30th of July 2022. state office for the 2023 General Election
are listed below:
Electoral Personnel
a. Security Personnel (5th – 6th February
A total of Forty-four thousand, four 2023).
hundred and sixty-eight (44,468) ad-hoc
staff were recruited for various categories b. Supervisory Presiding Officers (11th –
of election duty. The training was done for 12th February 2023)
all categories of election duty officials and
collaborating agencies. c. Presiding Officers and Assistant
Presiding Officers (14th – 16th February
Political Party Activities 2023)

The state office organized sensitization d. Collation / Returning Officers (21st –

forum on the Electoral Act 2022 for political 22nd February 2023).
parties, on April 19, 2022. In line with the
Commission’s timetable and schedule of Sensitive and Non-Sensitive
activities, for the 2023 General Election, Electoral Materials
it monitored congresses and primaries of
Non– sensitive electoral materials arrived
political parties, conducted with the dates
late in tranches, with shortfalls of each of the
provided in the timetable from the 4th of
items supplied. Sensitive electoral materials
April 2023 to June 2023. The state office
were received and stored at the Central
monitored the primaries of eighteen (18)
Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Asaba. Sensitive
political parties.
electoral materials for the Presidential
Stakeholder Engagements Election were inspected and batched for
onward movement to LGAs on the 23rd
The state office engaged all the gamut of of February 2023 for Presidential Election
stakeholders, within the time-lines of the while sensitive materials for Governorship
Commission’s pre-election and election- and House of Assembly were inspected
day activities. The matrix of stakeholder and batched on the 15th of March 2023.
engagements includes leaders and Deployment of sensitive electoral materials
candidates of political parties, voters, was done in line with the Commission’s
security agencies under the auspices of guidelines. The sensitive electoral materials

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

for each of the twenty-five (25) LGAs that over 88% of polling units achieved
were accompanied with ten armed mobile early commencement of polls. The voting
personnel from CBN to the LGAs. Retrieval process as outlined in the INEC guidelines
was also done successfully at each of the was complied with. There was considerable
25 LGAs. improvement in the performance of
equipment in the second elections held on
Identification, Preparation and March 18, 2023.
Activation of RACs and SRACs
Implementation of Collation and
RACs and SRACs were identified by Result Management Process
Electoral Officers in their respective LGAs
and were directed and funded to activate This process that was put in place helped
them. to drive the conclusion of the elections
with a high percentage of accuracy and
Logistic Preparations acceptability. The E-Collation was in place
to guide against any miscalculation.
The state office made adequate
transportation arrangement, leveraging on Operation of the Situation Room,
the MoU signed between the Commission Election Monitoring and Support
and the NURTW, NARTO and MWUN. A Centre
total of 6,746 vehicles, 618 boats and 270
bikes were used in each of the elections. The Situation Room provided early warning
systems to tackle different challenges that
occurred in the field. Violence and disruption
Conduct of the Elections of polls were immediately reported and
(the 25th of February and isolated.
the 18th of March) Collation and Result Management
Deployment of Personnel and System
Materials
The state office set-up a Collation Centre.
All trained election duty ad hoc staff were This was coordinated by the E-Collation
deployed to their various places of posting Officers from Abuja, supported by state
in line with the provisions of the manual for office Staff.
Poll Officials.
Issues and Challenges Associated
Opening of Polls and Voting Process with the Elections

Above 90% of the LGAs were able to deploy Violence and disruption of electoral
to the RACs and SRACs on the eve of the processes and holding election staff hostage
elections, while a few RACs/SRACs could were very minimal in both elections. Bypass
not be activated due to adverse security of BVAS occurred but was very minimal in
reports. The EOSC reports indicated both elections.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

12.6.5
Edo State Obo Effanga
Capital City: Benin City Resident Electoral Commissioner, Edo State

Delimitation Data

18 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
9 Federal
Constituencies
24 State
Constituencies

192
No of RAs
4,519
No of PUs
2,501,081
No of Registered
Voters
2,128,288
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction: its handcrafts which stood it out as a tourist

destination. In modern times, it retains
Edo state is in the South-South geopolitical its handicraft and tourist attraction that
zone of Nigeria. It was created on the 27th include Emotan Statue in Benin City, River
of August 1991 from the former Bendel Niger Beach in Agenebode and Okpekpe
state and is referred to as the “Heartbeat Hills which has led to the institution of
of the Nation.” The capital of Edo state is the Annual Okpekpe Marathon; attracting
Benin City, believed to be the fourth largest international athletes on yearly basis.
city in Nigeria. The state covers 17,802
km2. Its population was 3,233,366 by the
2006 population census; and estimated to
Pre-Election Activities
be 4,777,000 by 2022. The State has 18
Management Activities
LGAs, 3 Senatorial Districts, 9 Federal and
24 State Constituencies, 192 RAs and 4,519
Management in the state provided leadership
PUs. It has 2,501,081 registered voters with
in the planning and implementation of plans
2,128,288 PVCs collected.
for the election. The state office further
played oversight roles through supervision.
The immediate neighbours are Kogi state to
Audit of Election Materials, CVR and
the Northeast; Delta state to the Southeast
Collection of PVC. Audit of election materials
and South-south; Anambra state to the East
were done and reviewed a few times on the
and Ondo state to the Southwest. Edo state
state’s initiatives and as sometimes required
people include the Edo (Beni), Esan, Owan
by INEC Headquarters. Outputs from these
and Afemai. The state is noted in history for

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

audits supported material budgeting for the election duties. The security trainings were
election. The CVR ended on the 31st of July in cascades and included security officers-
2022 while PVC collection ended on the participants on Training of Trainers.
5th of February 2023
Recruitment, Deployment and
Election Personnel Retrieval
Ad hoc staff for the election were sourced From the trained ad-hoc staff, state office
from federal tertiary institutions, MDAs, recruited and deployed Supervisory
NYSC and INEC staff in Edo state. Presiding Officers, Collation Officers and
Supervisory Presiding Officers applied to Returning Officers; while Presiding Officers
serve through INECPRES as required by the and Assistant Presiding Officers I, II and
Commission. They were adequate in number III were recruited and deployed by Local
and went through screening, selection, and Government Offices. Ad-hoc staff that
training before being engaged and assigned were deployed to various election duties
supervisory duties. were brought back from their post by the
transport operators that were engaged
Election Supervisors, Monitors and to provide transportation services for the
Electoral Operations Logistics Committee elections.
Staff were staff of the Commission who
were engaged and posted from INEC Remuneration
Headquarters. Security personnel for the
election were pooled by Inter-Agency Remunerations made to election personnel
Consultative Committee on Election were as provided by the Commission.
Security (ICCES). Election Observers applied These were training allowances, transport
to the Commission and were accredited for allowance, meal allowance and honoraria.
observer roles. Media personnel were also Allowances were paid through the banks.
accredited like election observers.
Political Party Activities
Training of Election Personnel
Seventeen (17) of the eighteen registered
Four Hundred and Forty-one (441) political parties held their primaries for
classrooms were identified in fifty-two (52) the election of candidates who contested
schools across Edo state for the training of the three (3) senatorial, nine (9) House of
ad hoc staff. The venues included University Representatives and twenty-four (24) House
of Benin where Collation and Returning of Assembly positions in the elections. All
Officers were trained. An average of sixty Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) did not
(60) trainees were in a class. There were hold their primaries. This process began
refresher trainings prior to the State House on the 30th of September 2022 and the
of Assembly Election and at the Registration exercises were monitored by INEC through
Area Camps on the eve of each election. The some staff from INEC Headquarters and
state also had Election Security Training for the state office.
security personnel who were deployed for
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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Stakeholders’ Engagements Constituency Elections were received for

the state office by the Central Bank of
The Commission had several engagements Nigeria, Benin Branch where they were
with security agencies under the aegis of also kept in storage. Sensitive materials for
Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on the Supplementary Elections were partly
Election Security (ICCES). The Resident received from The Nigeria Security Printing
Electoral Commissioner and the State Company, Lagos and Airforce Base Port
Commissioner of Police co-chaired the Harcourt and brought to the State Office for
meetings. The Commission consulted with storage. The Bimodal Voter Accreditation
political party leaders from time to time. System (BVAS) devices for Edo state were
Two of such meetings were held with party received from the Nigerian Air force at
leaders before the elections and one after Benin Airport. They were taken from the
the elections. The meetings helped greatly in airport to the State Office for safe storage.
the successes recorded during the election,
especially the largely peaceful conduct of Ballot papers and Result Forms for the
the elections. As part of its engagement Presidential/National Assembly Election
with critical stakeholders, the Voter were kept at the Central Bank of Nigeria
Education and Publicity Department had Branch, while other sensitive materials
robust engagements with traditional rulers for the Supplementary Election were kept
in the state. First Class traditional rulers in the custody of the state office. The
from the three (3) senatorial districts were state’s BVAS were kept at the state office,
invited for advocacy and sensitization. This where they were configured. After their
meeting was held at the INEC state office, delivery and storage at the CBN, Benin
and the Resident Electoral Commissioner Branch, the ballot papers and EC A series
took time to brief the traditional rulers on a of Result Forms were inspected by the state
wide range of issues. Resident Electoral Commissioner, Head of
Electoral Operations Department and the
Sensitive and Non-Sensitive Department’s Logistics Team, before the
Electoral Materials Presidential/National Assembly and State
House of Assembly Elections.
Materials used for the elections were
adequate in quantities and quality. Non-sensitive election materials were
Significantly, shortages in materials distributed from the state office to INEC
were replaced by the logistics team at Local Government Area Offices where
Headquarters in record time. Non-sensitive they were batched and deployed to the
materials were received from the INEC field via Supervisory Presiding Officers,
South-South Zonal Stores in Port Harcourt, for elections. Sensitive materials for
delivered directly from vendors/suppliers Presidential/National Assembly Election
or sent from INEC Headquarters. Ballot and State House of Assembly Election were
papers and result forms for the Presidential/ distributed from the Central Bank of Nigeria,
National Assembly, State House of Benin Branch, to Local Government Area
Assembly Elections and postponed Federal Offices for deployment. However, sensitive

360
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

materials for Supplementary Elections were senatorial district were assigned to each of
distributed from the state office to the Local the two unions. The MWUN on the other
Government Area Offices for deployment. hand oversaw water transportation for the
election in the state. There were series of
At the end of each of the elections, the poll meeting with officials of these unions and
officers reported with the materials issued Road Safety Commission and Security
to them, to their Supervisory Presiding Agencies. Agreements and contracts were
Officers who retrieved them and submitted signed with the Unions and their operators.
to the Electoral Officers in line with Reverse
Logistics protocols of the Commission. Collation and Result Management
Subsequently, used and unused sensitive System
materials were taken to the state office for
safety. Collation of Presidential and National
Assembly election results began about
Identification, Preparation, and 4:00 pm on February 25, 2023. National
Activation of Registration Area Assembly results collation ended in the
Camps (RACs and Super RACs) early hours of Sunday the 26th of February
2023 at the respective Senatorial and
As a part of the review of delimitation Federal Constituency Collation Centres.
information for the elections, Registration Presidential Election collation which took
Area Camps (RACs) and Super RACs, were place at the State Collation Centre ended
identified, verified, and approved for use in the evening of Monday the 27th of
during the election. Stakeholders were February 2023. State House of Assembly
carried along in the process. Following collation began as early as 3:00 pm on
their identification, a needs assessment of the 15th of March 2023 and ended in the
the RACs and Super RACs was carried out. night of the Election Day. Supplementary
The assessment showed the needs of these Elections collation began early on the 18th
public buildings. Provisions were made to of April 2023 and ended in the early hours
meet the identified needs to have the RACs of Sunday the 19th of April 2023.
prepared for the elections.
Result Management System was put in
Logistic Preparations place to accommodate voters’ interests
in cases of violent disruption of voting,
National Union of Road Transport Workers counting and collation processes in some
(NURTW) and National Association of places during which results, and other
Transport Owners (NARTO) were engaged to sensitive materials were snatched. There
provide vehicular transport; while Maritime was also a case of non-deployment for the
Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), were election due to inadequate number of poll
engaged to provide marine transport for staff. These scenarios led to supplementary
the elections. Each of two (2) road transport elections that took place on Saturday the
unions was assigned a senatorial district 18th of April 2023 to ensure that voters
to service while specific LGAs of the third were not disenfranchised.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Support for Field Activities Two sets (one coloured and one black and
white), of the Electronic Voters Register
Several tools were developed with which (EVR), were printed for the election. Before
INEC supported its elections in the field. The deploying them, the EVR were sorted,
Elections Monitoring and Support Centre checked, and missing pages reprinted for
(EMSC), which provides a 360 degrees quality assurance. Ten (10) days were used
view of the electoral environment, seeks for printing of the EVR while it took another
information, flags threats, and responds two (2) days to pass them through quality
with solutions. In addition, the Election assurance.
Risk Management (ERM) tool assisted in
tracking, mapping, and analysing threats
to the elections so as to provide ready Conduct of Elections (the
information to the Commission towards 25th of February, the 18th
taking action. Finally, the INEC Security
Alert and Notification System (INEC SANS),
of March, and the 15th of
which is provided to all personnel involved April)
in the election to easily notify the authorities
of any security breach and risks on them on Deployment of Personnel and
Election Day. Materials

Configuration and Deployment of In Edo state, deployment of election

Accreditation Devices (EVR, VR and personnel was done at three levels viz:
BVAS)
a. INEC Headquarters deployed
Before deploying the for the 2023 elections, Supervisors and Monitors to the state;
ICT/Voter Registry Department in the state
b. INEC Edo state deployed ad hoc staff;
carried out the following processes on
and
them:
c. Inter-Agency Consultative Committee
a. Stress Test: to confirm their capacity to
on Election Security (ICCES), deployed
function under work conditions
Election Security operatives.
b. Configuration: to install software
At INEC Edo state level, Returning and
required to make them have and retain
Collation Officers were deployed from the
relevant information and function
state office while Supervisory Presiding
appropriately
Officers, Presiding Officers and Assistant
c. Labelling: to enable them to be deployed Presiding Officers were deployed to their
to the appropriate polling unit duty posts at the Local Government Area in
all the elections.
d. Quality Assurance Check: to ensure that
they are fit for deployment for election
purposes.
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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Performance of Transport Union deployed early to polling units. Polling Units

Members were set up early and polls opened on time.

Road Transport Unions did not perform to Accreditation, Voting Process and
the spirit of the contract agreements. This Performance of Equipment
was particularly so during the Presidential/
National Assembly Election. Their This was the simultaneous accreditation
unpatriotic behaviours included: and voting system as approved by the
Commission. The voting period was
a. Colluding with their vehicle operators to largely without issues. The Bimodal Voter
hike the cost per vehicle while election Accreditation System (BVAS) functioned
processes were going on. The timing almost optimally except for a handful of
found the Commission helpless and places.
blackmailed.
Election Security
b. Insistence on full cash payments without
which they were not moving staff nor Security presence was good. However, in
materials to the field nor bring them some polling units, their effectiveness was
back. greatly hampered where hoodlums and
thugs raided and disrupted elections. This
As a result of the above, most of the was often blamed on the fact that security
operators/drivers moved the electoral personnel at polling units do not carry
teams and their materials late to polling firearms and the thugs exerted maximum
units especially during the Presidential/ destruction or disruption before the armed
National Assembly Election. Most of the security personnel in the outer security
operators/drivers did not bring back the rings could arrive.
ad-hoc staff back early from their polling
units during that election. Their conducts Closing of Polls
were slightly better during the State House
of Assembly and Supplementary elections. Polls closed from 2.30 pm. During the
Presidential/National Assembly Election
Opening of Polls where polls opened largely late, a lot of
voters were still queued at many polling
For the Presidential/National Assembly units but voting eventually ended about 3:00
Election, most polling units were set up – 3:30 p.m. However, polls predominantly
late as a result of the predominant late closed by 2:30 p.m. during the State House
mobilization from the Registration Area of Assembly and Supplementary elections.
Camps which was occasioned by the
misconduct of road transport operators.
This also led to late opening of polls in that
election. The State House of Assembly
election was better. Ad-hoc staff were

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Implementation of Collation and a. Ad-hoc staff roll call was done and the
Result Management Process list of those who actually performed
election duties were submitted for
Collation of Results took place at the payment of their honoraria.
State Collation Centre, three (3) Senatorial
Collation Centres, nine (9) Federal b. Used and unused sensitive materials
Constituency Collation Centres, twenty- were taken into custody at the state
four (24) State House of Assembly Collation office
Centres, eighteen (18) LGA Collation
Centres and one hundred and ninety-two c. Non-sensitive materials were left in
(192) Registration Area Collation Centres the custody of the Local Government
as applicable. During the processes of Offices.
collation, Result Management Process was
followed including appropriate calculations, Issues and Challenges Associated
check on margin of lead, cognizance of with the Elections
where violence disrupted the election and
their effects on outcomes. Application Violence: Violence during the election
of these scenarios led to supplementary was moderate during the Presidential/
elections in three (3) State Constituencies National Assembly Election than it was
and one (1) Federal Constituency. during the State House of Assembly and
Supplementary Election.
Operation of Situation Room and
Disruption and Obstruction of the Electoral
Election Management and Support
Process: Violence disrupted polling in
Centres (EMSC) seventy-one (71) polling units in eleven (11)
Registration Areas leading to supplementary
The state had an Election Management and
elections in three (3) State Constituencies.
Support Centre (EMSC), headed by a Desk
Officer, as well as 12 other Officers. The
Usage, Non-Usage, Damage or Missing of
Election Risk Management was the third
BVAS: BVAS was used during the election.
tool deployed for the election. It had a Desk
Results of polling units where BVAS was
Officer, also. These election support tools
not used or bypassed were cancelled. Four
were effective in deploying their resources
Thousand, Seven Hundred and Seventy-
to provide information, knowledge, early
Two (4,772) BVAS were deployed for the
warnings and responses to the field and
election. On retrieval, One Hundred and
where else as may be required.
Ten (110) BVAS were missing while four (4)
BVAS were damaged.
Reverse Logistics

Personnel and materials that were deployed

for the 2023 General Election were
accounted for:

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

12.6.6
Rivers State Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem
Capital City: Port Harcourt Resident Electoral Commissioner, Rivers State

Delimitation Data

23 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
13 Federal
Constituencies
32 State
Constituencies

319
No of RAs
6,866
No of PUs
3,537,190
No of Registered
Voters
3,285,785
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction: Pre-Election Activities

Rivers state is one of the six states of the Planning Activities
South-South geo-political zone created
in 1967. It is bounded to the North by Prior to the election, the state office
Imo state, to the East by Abia and Akwa established various committees to drive the
Ibom states, and to the West by Bayelsa various electoral activities. These included
and Delta states. The State has 23 LGAs, logistics, land and water transportation,
3 Senatorial Districts, 13 Federal and 32 information, publicity and voter education,
State Constituencies, 319 RAs and 6,866 security, welfare, recruitment and training
PUs. It has 3,537,190 registered voters with of Ad hoc staff and distribution of electoral
3,285,785 PVCs collected. Port Harcourt materials.
is the state capital and is considered the
commercial centre of the Nigerian Oil & Audit of Election Materials
Gas Industry. The state is home to diverse
ethnic groups namely Ikwerre, Izon, Ogoni, In the build-up to the 2023 General Election,
Ekpeye, Ogba, amongst others. As the name materials were periodically evaluated to
implies, it is dominated by numerous rivers ascertain their usability or otherwise and
namely, Sombreiro, New Calabar, Bonny, recorded in the templates provided by
Orashi, Andoni, Nun, amongst others. National Headquarters. Materials that were
unusable were boarded in the auctioning
process, and items with no economic value

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were properly destroyed in the presence of Officers and 48 Returning Officers were
security agents. This was done to decongest also engaged.
the stores in the various Area Offices as well
as create the needed space for the receipt The training of Election Day Staff for the
of new electoral materials. The state of the 2023 General Election in Rivers State
materials was reported promptly to the was conducted in accordance with the
Headquarters to aid proper planning. Commission’s training schedule that was
anchored by The Electoral Institute (TEI) and
Conduct of CVR and PVC Collection supported by some development partners
Exercise like IFES and DFID. The trained personnel
were deployed in accordance with the
The CVR exercise held between Monday the Commission’s design for the setting up of
28th of June 2021 and Sunday the 31st of polling units.
July 2022 at all INEC Offices in the twenty-
three (23) Local Government Areas of the Remuneration
state as well as the State Office. The exercise
recorded 168, 061 online Pre- registration, Payment of honoraria commenced
305, 863 In-person (Physical) registration immediately after Presidential/National
and 473, 924 completed Registration. Assembly and other subsequent elections
in line with the Commission’s approved
The PVC collection exercise ran concurrently amount for the various positions. Majority
with the CVR exercise but continued after of the ad hoc personnel received their
the suspension of the CVR exercise but honorarium in good time except for few due
was brought an end on the 5th of February to the submission of account information
2023 with a cumulative total of 3, 343,141 not consistent with the Nigeria Inter-Bank
PVCs collected. Settlement System (NIBSS) platform.

Recruitment, Training and Political Party Activities and

Deployment of Electoral Personnel Stakeholders’ Engagements

As part of the preparations for the 2023 Political party primaries were conducted
General Election, letters were written to the through accredited delegates by the parties
Heads of NYSC, federal tertiary institutions that participated in the elections. This
and federal establishments requesting the exercise was duly monitored. Consensus,
list of NYSC members as well as interested Affirmation and Direct Voting were the
staff and students wishing to participate in various options used for the nomination
the elections as Poll Officials. They were process.
also advised to register online using the
INECPRES portal. A total of 687 Supervisory The State Management team had several
Presiding Officers, 6,866 Presiding Officers, engagements with the Inter-Agency
and 20,598 Assistant Presiding Officers Consultative Committee on Election
were recruited. Similarly, 753 Collation Security (ICCES) in the build-up to the

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elections wherein security flashpoints Identification, Preparation and

were identified and possible measures to Activation of RACs and SRACs
curtail incidences of electoral violence were
discussed. Public facilities were used as RACs and
Super-RACs. These facilities were inspected
There were advocacy visits and interactive to ascertain their habitability or otherwise.
sessions with traditional rulers and Faith- The facilities that were not habitable were
Based Organizations. For instance, the State changed in line with the Commission’s terms
Management team visited the Traditional of reference in doing so. These facilities were
Rulers Council Chairman, the Amayanabo fully activated to enable the movement of
of Opobo Kingdom as well as leaders of materials and personnel to the centres on
the Rivers State Council of Islamic Affairs, Friday for early deployment to the PUs on
Salvation Ministries, and Redeemed Election Day. This initiative increased the
Christian Church of God amongst others. punctuality index exponentially in relation
The state also engaged with the Civil to the early commencement of polls.
Society Organizations and International However, due to security concerns, some
Development partners such as the European EOs could not move to certain RACs early
Union Election Observation Mission enough.
(EUEOM), ECOWAS Election Observer,
Stakeholders Democracy Network (SDN), Logistic Preparations
amongst others.
To achieve a seamless and well-coordinated
Sensitive and Non-Sensitive electoral service delivery, the state office
Electoral Materials engaged the services of the National
Association of Road Transport Owners
Non-sensitive materials were batched and (NARTO), National Union of Road Transport
distributed to the LGAs from the state Workers (NURTW), Maritime Workers
office, one week before the elections. The Union of Nigeria (MWUN) for the provision
sensitive materials domiciled at the Central of Vehicles and Boats for the movement of
Bank of Nigeria (CBN) were inspected on personnel and materials. A Memorandum
Monday the 20th of February 2023. The of Understanding (MoU) was entered into
distribution commenced on Wednesday with the various unions and a fuelling
the 22nd of February 2023 and ended on arrangement was also made with the NNPC
the 23rd of February 2023. political party Mega Station Port Harcourt and their fuel
agents, the civil society, security personnel station outlets, to provide petrol and diesel
and the media witnessed the distribution. for use during this period.
The materials were escorted to the LGAs by
security agents. Collation and Results Management
System

The Collation of results for all elections took

place at the various levels of collation centres

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

designated for that purpose. One Collation readiness assessment checks, and the
Support Result Verification System (CSRVS) eventual deployment of the Bimodal
personnel was deployed to each of the three Voter Accreditation System across the
(3) Senatorial Districts as well as the thirteen polling units in the state. In addition, the
(13) Federal Constituencies to assist in the deployment saw to the printing and sorting
collation of the results. The collation of of the Electronic Voter Register (EVR) in
results and announcement of votes for the both coloured and black and white forms.
Presidential Election was done at the Media
Centre, INEC State Office, Port Harcourt. The BVAS machines were reconfigured after
Similarly, the collation, announcement and the Presidential and National Assembly
declaration of the Governorship Election elections. To further ensure that the newly
took place at the Media Centre, INEC State reconfigured BVASwas fit forthe purpose, the
Office while that of the various State Houses Department employed Local Government
of Assembly were collated, announced, and Technologists (LGTECHs) swap strategy for
declared at the appropriate centres, except the purpose of conducting quality checks
for Ahoada West State Constituency which on all reconfigured devices as well as the
was declared at the state office for security backups. This strategy presupposed that
reasons. The outcome of the General LGTECHs were to conduct quality checks
Election was documented in the relevant on BVAS of LGAs. During this process, all
Form EC8 series. errors were identified and corrected by the
supervising LGTECHs.
Monitoring, Implementation and
Support for Field Activities
Conduct of the Elections
The Heads of Department were assigned
on senatorial District basis to monitor the Materials were deployed to the various
elections. Similarly, Field Monitors were polling units in the state early enough
also deployed from the Headquarters to before the commencement of polls. About
support the exercise. 95% of the polling units in the state were
opened before 8:30 am and accreditation
Configuration and Deployment of and voting commenced in earnest. There
Accreditation Devices (EVR, VR and were reported cases of BVAS malfunction,
but the technologists were on ground
BVAS)
to resolve those issues. Transport union
The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System members in their usual manner, neglected
(BVAS) was used to accredit voters. In the MoU signed with the Management as
like manner, this same device also served some of them refused returning with the
to transmit election results to the IReV personnel they conveyed to the field. All
portal after recording of votes scored by the polling units in the state had security
political parties in the respective EC 8A presence in line with the police deployment
series. It is against this backdrop that the schedule.
ICT department oversaw the preparations,

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Pre-election, Election Day and immediate In Ahoada East, there were massive attacks
post-election activities were tracked and on electoral officials in RA 08- Units 011,
monitored through the instrumentality of 012 and 013 including the snatching of
the EMSC that had an Election Operation materials. Two (2) BVAS machines got lost
and Support Centre (EOSC) activated on the in the Local Government Area. Similarly, in
eve of election. This electoral infrastructure Andoni Local Government Area, there were
operated within three activity clusters: RAC reports of BVAS machine failures in some
activities, accreditation/voting and result polling units, but the RATECH deployed
collation activities. Our field assets were to the Local Government Area assisted in
responsible for making direct contacts using proffering solution to most of the problems.
cell phones to electoral officials in the field Three (3) BVAS machines malfunctioned,
to get information on threats, compliance and the POs were unable to upload the
and challenges, which enabled the state results to the IREV.
office to take decisive, pragmatic and
informed decisions for proper execution of In Degema Local Government Area, there
the elections. were logistics challenges necessitated by
gross negligence on the part of service
Materials such as the BVAS machines, EC 8 providers. This inhibited the deployment
series, polling unit booklets, among others, of personnel and materials to some
used for the elections were returned to the Super RACs which eventually led to the
state office while some others such as used rescheduling of polls to the next day in the
and unused ballot papers, ballot boxes, and affected Registration Area. In Emohua Local
cubicles among others were kept securely Government Area, political thugs tried to
in the Local Government Area offices. disrupt the process, but Security Officers
intervened and brought the situation under
There were reported incidences in the control and the process progressed to a
various Local Government Areas of the state successful conclusion. In Ikwerre Local
during the Presidential/National Assembly government, there were reported cases of
Elections. For instance, the Electoral Officer thuggery and theft of electoral materials.
for Abua/Odual reported that an entire The results were available in some RAs but
community which consists of 7 PUs in RA not collated by the Collation Officers on
13 refused to participate in the election account of late arrival and/or over-voting.
because the RAC Centres were not sited in These incidents were reported in Elele I,
their community. More worrisome was the Apani II, Umuanwa, Ubima, and Igwuruta of
report that transporters increased their fare Ikwerre Local Government Area.
to One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,
000) per bus. This delayed the deployment In Khana Local Government Area, there were
to the RACs on Friday. Consequently, cancellations of election in two (2) RAs due
deployment was made directly from the to thuggery and snatching of results sheets
LGA Office to the PUs. in RAs 04 and 07 of the Local Government
Area. Supplementary election was indicated
in the 2 RAs (Sogho and Bargha) with 42

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

PUs because of the margin of lead principle. LGA, some collations were done at the
Hence, the Federal Constituency Election State Head Office.
for Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency
was declared inconclusive and was b. In Ahoada West LGA, Ad hoc staff and
concluded after the supplementary election electoral materials were deployed early
on April 15, 2023. In Port Harcourt Local to the field through each Registration
Government Area, the Returning Officer Area Supervisor. Accreditation and
for Port Harcourt II Federal Constituency voting started in all the wards. Polls
reported that collation of the result had were concluded in most areas and
reached an advanced stage before it was poll officials arrived the area office for
disrupted by some party agents who alleged collation of results which of course
that the results had been tampered with as was agreed to take place at the INEC
it did not reflect the results from the unit office because of the level of insecurity
level. As a result of the protests and the in the area. Collation Officers had also
allegations by party agents that the results arrived and were set for collation, when
had been doctored and the resultant trust suddenly serious gunshots were heard
issues, the Commission asked the Returning in front of the office which disrupted
Officer to step aside and hand-over the Collation. It got serious that most
entire documents to the HoD Electoral officials that arrived abandoned their
Operations. Upon investigation, the materials both inside and outside the
Commission ordered for a supplementary office premises and ran for safety. The
election. In Obio/Akpor Local Government situation got worse, and the Resident
Area, there were reports of attacks by Electoral Commissioner sent two Heads
hoodlums. Election materials were hijacked of Department- Legal and Electoral
especially result booklets. Twelve (12) BVAS Operations, escorted by security men to
machines were reportedly lost. rescue and bring the Electoral Officer to
the state office. Consequently, electoral
During the Governorship and State House materials were evacuated to the state
of Assembly Elections, some the following office and collation of results for both the
incidents were reported: Governorship and State Constituency
Elections were eventually carried out at
a. In Asari Toru LGA, the Electoral INEC Head Office on Monday the 20th
Officer reported that a political party of March 2023.
prevented deployment to the RACs,
insisting that all the Collation Officers c. In Akuku Toru LGA, the EO reported
for the LGAs should be available to that the BVAS malfunctioned in 25 PUs
enable inspection of the collation of RA 15 due to poor configuration. This
result sheets. This disagreement made necessitated the rescheduling of the
deployment impossible on Election Day elections in this RA to the following day,
and the exercise had to be postponed March 19, 2023.
to the following day with its resultant
additional logistics cost. Due to the d. In Ahoada East LGA, The Electoral
deteriorating security situation in the Officer reported that during collation at

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the LGA, several tear gas canisters were the elections are enumerated as follows:
shot into the premises of the office,
leaving several people wounded and i. Inability of some POs and APOs to
many others hospitalized. Nevertheless, operate the BVAS machines at the
collation resumed and was successfully polling unit level effectively;
concluded.
ii. Inability to capture the result sheet EC
e. In Abua/Odual Local Government Area, 8A series for upload to the IReV Portal;
the Electoral Officer reported the death
of an ad hoc staff, who was shot at iii. Crowd control issues due to the influx
Otapha Registration Area (RA) 07, PU of gate-crashers and unqualified
013. The gunmen also went away with persons during trainings led to the use
electoral materials including two (2) of additional facilitators;
BVAS machines assigned to PU 008 and
013. iv. Inadequate materials for the printing of
EVR such as toners;
f. In Degema Local Government Area,
there was a boat mishap involving v. Delay in the update of accreditation
election personnel enroute Degema data exported to the back-end;
from Bakana which led to the death
vi. Theft of BVAS accessories during
of an election security personnel of
the Presidential election (especially
the Nigerian Police Force, with several
the power banks) and the inability to
others injured.
recover or replace these items before
Supplementary elections were conducted the governorship election;
in two Federal Constituencies namely:
vii. Login details for result upload of
Khana/Gokana and Port Harcourt II Federal
some polling units were not properly
Constituencies. Khana/Gokana Federal
synchronised. For these PUs, a successful
Constituency had two (2) Registration
result upload needed the intervention of
Areas and forty-two (42) polling units
back-end support. This further delayed
while Port Harcourt II Federal Constituency
the process of result upload;
had ten (10) Registration Areas and three
hundred and seventy-seven (377) polling
viii.The re-engagement of the Tech
units. All other electoral processes and
support staff deployed for the
procedures in the Presidential/National
Presidential election, made for a more
Assembly and Governorship/State House
professionalised governorship election;
of Assembly elections were replicated in
the supplementary elections. ix. Mark-up percentage of only 2% was
seen in the funding on Personnel, but
Issues and Challenges Associated absent from logistic items; and
with the Elections
x. Political party agent tags were not
The issues and challenges associated with complete.

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12.7 South-West Geo-political Zone

Introduction zone has 137 LGAs, 1,544 RAs, 34,898 PUs,
and 17,958,966 registered voters. With the
The South-West geo-political zone total number of PVCs collected before the
comprises of 6 states namely Ekiti, Lagos, General Election standing at 15,536,213
Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo. The zone has the zone has an overall PVC collection rate
a landmass of 79, 665 km2. Altogether, the of 87% as shown in table 12.7 below.

Table 12.7: Delimitation Data of the South-West Zone on State-by-State Basis

S/N State LGA SD FC SC RA PU Reg. Voters PVCs Km2

Collected
1 Ekiti 16 3 6 26 177 2,445 987,647 958,052 6,353

2 Lagos 20 3 24 40 245 13,325 7,060,195 6,214,970 3,345

3 Ogun 20 3 9 26 236 5,042 2,688,305 2,278,063 16,762

4 Ondo 18 3 9 26 203 3,933 1,991,344 1,729,641 15,500

5 Osun 30 3 9 26 332 3,763 1,954,800 1,594,066 9,251
6 Oyo 33 3 14 32 351 6,390 3,276,675 2,761,421 28,454

Totals 137 18 71 176 1,544 34,898 17,958,966 15,536,213 79,665

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

12.7.1
Ekiti State Prof. Ayobami Salami
Capital City: Ado Ekiti Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ekiti State

Delimitation Data

16 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
6 Federal
Constituencies
26 State
Constituencies

177
No of RAs
2,445
No of PUs
987,647
No of Registered
Voters
958,052
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction other words, the state prides itself as a very

high producer of highly educated people
Ekiti state is one of the last few states among others in the country. Ekiti state like
created during the military government of most other states has passed through six
General Sani Abacha in 1996. The State has electoral cycles since the beginning of the
16 LGAs, 3 Senatorial Districts, 6 Federal fourth republic in 1999. The 2023 General
and 26 State Constituencies, 177 RAs and Election is the seventh electoral cycle of
2,445 PUs. The State has a registered voter the state.
population of 987,647, with 958,052 PVCs
collected.
Pre-Election Activities
The high rising hills around the various
Activities carried out in preparation for
towns and communities of the state
2023 General Election commenced as far
gave it an uneven topography and wavy
back as the second quarter of 2022 when
roads across the entire state. People of
the political parties held their primaries to
Ekiti state are predominantly farmers of
select candidates for the various posts in
arable and cash crops like cassava, maize,
the election.
yams and cocoa. The state derived its
acronym Fountain of knowledge from the
Voter Education, Publicity, Gender
sheer number of educated folks, most of
whom had attained the professorial level
and CSOs
in their chosen disciplines in the various
The department conducted several activities
universities within and outside Nigeria. In
to educate, sensitize and bring to the

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

public knowledge various activities of INEC the Local Government Area offices to
before and during the elections. The Heads adequately and safely store all the elections
and staffers of the departments attended (both sensitive and non- sensitive) materials
various capacity building workshops, supplied to them. However, some Local
seminars and meetings organized by INEC Government Areas had problems of leaking
in collaboration with its development roofs in their stores.
partners. Public enlightenment and
sensitization programmes were held and Continuous Voter Registration (CVR)
aired on the radio and/or television in the Exercise
state. Virtually all the various groupings of
the stakeholders were engaged by INEC In the build-up of activities towards the
in the state at various times before the 2023 General Election in the state, the CVR
elections. exercise was conducted in all the sixteen
INEC Local Government offices of the state
Monitoring of Party Primaries and from July 2021 to March 2022. Continuous
Campaigns Voter Registration (CVR) in its physical form
resumed nationwide on Monday the 26th
Prior to the commencement of party of July 2021, which was, exactly twenty-
primaries, training was conducted for the eight days after the commencement of the
EPM staff, EOs, AEOs and other INEC staff registration exercise with a novel online
on the monitoring of party primaries. The registration. At the end of the CVR exercise,
EPM department monitored party primaries the total number of Registered Voters in
for the nomination of candidates in the 2023 Ekiti state increased to Nine Hundred and
General Election in Ekiti state. At the end Eighty-Seven Thousand, Six Hundred and
of the exercise, a total of ten (10) political Forty-Seven (987,647).
parties conducted primaries and sponsored
candidates in the 2023 General Election Distribution of Permanent Voter
in the state. The Commission tracked and Cards
successfully monitored the political parties/
candidates campaign finances in the state. This Commission commenced the
Campaign rallies of political parties in the distribution of the remaining PVCs
state were effectively monitored. The immediately after the conclusion of the
agents’ identification tags were printed and CVR in 2022. The distribution of Permanent
sent from the Headquarters shortly before Voter Cards (PVCs) that began in November
the Election Day. 2022 came to an end by January 2023
across the country. About 79% of registered
Preparation of the Stores voters in Ekiti state collected their PVCs at
the end of collection exercise.
There was no problem of storage of election
materials in all the 16 LGAs in the state. All
LGAs had their stores well prepared ahead
to receive election materials. This helped

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Hanging Voters, Voter Migration and part of preparations for the 2023 General
Claims & Objections Election. The recommended relocation of
some RACs/SRACs and one Constituency
The ICT/VR embarked on some pre-election Collation Centre was informed by their
administrative/online exercise at the back unsuitability due to space inadequacies for
end immediately after the Continuous the number of ad hoc staff they intend to
Voters Registration exercise, among which accommodate and wrong locations. These
are: (a) hanging voters, (b) voters’ migration, new locations were used in the General
and (c) claims and objections. Election of the 25th of February and the
18th of March 2023.
Meeting of ICCES and Election
Security Matters Venues for Election Training

The Inter-Agency Consultative Committee The state office wrote officially to the state
on Election Security (ICCES) in Ekiti state government to request for the release
met severally to strategise for the elections. of state-owned public schools to serve
The Heads of the agencies or their as training venues for the training of ad
representatives attended all the meetings hoc staff, Polling Units, RACs/SRACs and
which were mandatorily presided over Collation Centres across the state. All the
by the Resident Electoral Commissioner. electoral activities went without hindrance
Matters on flash points, illegal immigrants, in those public places as scheduled during
criminal elements, cordoning off the state the elections.
from infiltration from contiguous states as
well as Election Day security were matters Recruitment, Training and
discussed at the meetings. The state Deployment of Ad-Hoc Staff
security agencies under the leadership of
the Commissioner of Police made adequate Recruitment process for the election
provision for security across the entire state started in September 2022. Interested
on the Election Days. members of the public were given the
opportunity to access the INEC portal for
Preparatory Assessment of RACS/ the recruitment of election staff called
SRACS and Collation Centres INECPRES from the 14th of September
to the 14th of December 2022. Ad hoc
The Electoral Officers had earlier before staff categories deployed for the elections
the Governorship election in 2022 visited were sourced from among serving Corps
all the RACs/SRACs and the Collation members in the state, federal tertiary
Centres in the LGAs to determine their institutions, MDAs, and INEC staff. The ad-
suitability for the election. This exercise hoc staff were trained at the state level and
was monitored by a team of Assessors deployed to collate at the Registration Area
from the Electoral Operations Department and the Local Government Area levels. The
at the Headquarters. This was repeated in state government declined the request for
a nationwide exercise in October 2022 as use of the public schools for the training of

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the ad hoc staff during the school sessions. to disagreement resulting from inability
The training had to be postponed to the to meet their demand for increase in the
weekend before the Commission could be cost beyond the amount approved by the
given access to the public schools in the Commission. The issues were resolved
various LGAs. In total, One Hundred and at the level of the Electoral Officers with
Eighty-Five (185) RATECHs were trained minimal intervention from the state office
and later deployed for the General Election. and the exercise recorded very smooth
logistics throughout the election.
Preparation/Activation of
Registration Area Camps (RACS) Distribution of Election Materials

Funds were made available before the 25th Distribution of non-sensitive election
of February Presidential/National Assembly materials started in December 2022 long
Election for the Electoral Officers to before the elections. The materials were
prepare the RACs/SRACs for the elections. distributed to the Local Government Areas
The funds were for the illumination of the where they were batched immediately.
RACs, provision of water for refreshing and The shortfalls and the remaining items
drinking, provision of toiletries and other not supplied were all received before the
sundries. The RACs/SRACs activation was Election Days. In the same way, the sensitive
carried out early for the two elections. Full election materials were released through
activation of all the 105 RACs/SRACs was the Ado-Ekiti Branch Office of the Central
accomplished around 7pm on Friday the Bank of Nigeria (CBN). These items were
24th of February 2023 for the Presidential/ checked as prompted by the Headquarters
NASS Election and by 6pm on the Friday and the CBN office in Ado-Ekiti as soon
preceding the State Assembly Election. The as they took delivery. The sensitive
state also achieved 100 percent deployment election materials were distributed on the
to the Polling Units before 8am on the two Wednesdays preceding each Election Day.
Election Days. This culminated in an early The distribution was very smooth on each
commencement of polls. occasion.

Hiring of Buses and Motorcycles Mock Accreditation

The National Union of Road Transport Like the other states of the Federation,
Workers (NURTW) and NARTO were the Ekiti state participated in the nationwide
two unions engaged for the movement of mock accreditation exercise on the 4th of
men and materials in the state during the February 2023 across the three senatorial
two elections. The state office released districts namely: Ekiti Central, Ekiti North
funds to the Electoral Officers to hire and Ekiti South.
enough vehicles for the movement of
men and materials during the elections.
The unions were initially adamant and did
not cooperate with the field officers due

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Conduct of the Elections winners of these levels announced at their

respective Constituencies and Senatorial
Election Day Processes Districts Collation Centres. There were
no security challenges during these
The process of accreditation and voting was collations. There were only 2 cancellations
smooth, very peaceful, and orderly in the in the Presidential elections, none for both
state. Densely populated polling units and House of Representatives and Senatorial
the 16 PUs identified to need additional District elections. The only cancellation
BVAS were supplied with additional APOs I, that affected the outcome of the election
II and III. There were cases of infraction and was the one in Ido/Osi LGA consequent
disruption of the process during the 18th upon which the election in Ido/Osi State
of March election in some LGAs. However, Constituency I was declared inconclusive.
most of these disruptions did not affect
the outcome of election except in Ido/ Announcement and Declaration of
Osi LGA where the election was declared Results
inconclusive in Ido/Osi State Constituency
I. The results from three PUs where election All the results were collated, and
was violently disrupted were cancelled and winners declared within the respective
this affected the final declaration of the Constituency/District Collation Centres for
winner whose margin of lead was less than all the seats. It was only the Presidential
the total number of PVCs collected in the Election results that got to the state level
affected 3 polling units. for the state level collation. The State
Collation of Presidential Election was
Collation of Election Results done at the state office. Results from the 6
Federal Constituencies and the 3 Senatorial
The collation process was smooth in all the Districts were announced and the winners
16 LGAs and the state level during the first at those elections were declared at their
and second elections. The drag in the process respective Federal Constituency and
till the following day during the collation of Senatorial District Collation Centres.
the Presidential election results was due to
some errors made by some of the ad hoc Reverse Logistics
staff as well as Collation Officers. All the
errors were however corrected before the The reverse logistics of the 2023 General
collation by the State Collation Officer for Election was promptly and seamlessly
the Presidential Election. Similar challenges carried out and completed on the Sunday
also delayed the collation of results at the 6 following each Election Day. All the used
Federal Constituencies and the 3 Senatorial and unused sensitive election materials and
Districts. This delay was minimal during the BVAS devices were brought in and kept in
18th of March 2023 election. The results the strong room for safe keeping.
of all the Federal and State Constituencies
and the Districts were declared, and the

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Supplementary Election b. Negative effect of the new CBN

monetary policy on the election.
The State Assembly election conducted in
Ekiti state on Saturday the 18th of March c. The state declined the approval of
2023 was a largely successful one but for the public schools for training in the
the violent disruption to the process in one weekdays as scheduled by The Electoral
of the RA 08 (Ido I) in Ido/Osi LGA that Institute (TEI), thus, forcing the state to
affected the declaration of the result in reschedule the training to a weekend.
Ido/Osi I State Constituency. Three Polling
Units were affected in the disruption of polls d. Inadequate time for the training of ad
during the election- they were: PU 003, PU hoc staff in the time-lines scheduled by
012 and PU 014. The ballot boxes were The Electoral Institute.
snatched at gun point and destroyed while
the ballots in the boxes were set ablaze. The e. Some of the RATECHs were not well
Corps Members posted to the three polling acquainted with the BVAS being the
units were alleged to have been assaulted first time they were coming in contact
and were taken to hospital for treatment. with the device.
This necessitated the supplementary
Over-centralization of procurement of
election to conclude the State Constituency
non-sensitive election materials. It is not
election. The state made all necessary
right for states to be undergoing tension
arrangements and took all necessary actions
few hours to an election because of the
before the supplementary election which
non-supply or inadequate supply of such
was conducted successfully on the 15th of
items like biros, gums, batteries, etc. Local
April 2023 without any hitch.
contractors in each state or the zones can
Issues and Challenges Associated be given such supplies, and the monitoring
can be done from the Headquarters to
with the Elections
ensure compliance. Some materials like
The few challenges observed during this biros and other relevant forms arrived very
election are as itemized below: late to the Election Day.

a. Labelling error on the cartons in which

some sensitive items were conveyed.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

12.7.2
Lagos State Olusegun Agbaje, mni
Capital City: Ikeja Resident Electoral Commissioner, Lagos State

Delimitation Data

20 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
24 Federal
Constituencies
40 State
Constituencies

245
No of RAs
13,325
No of PUs
7,060,195
No of Registered
Voters
6,214,970
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction stakeholders’ meetings were often held

to update the leaders of political parties,
Lagos state was created from the old Civil Society Organizations, and Faith-
Western Region of Nigeria on the 27th of Based Organisations on the activities of
May 1967. The state is one of the six (6) the Commission. The state also conducted
states in the South-West Geopolitical Zone. audit on the re-usable election materials
Lagos state with a population of more than in its stores e.g. plastic mats, voting
24 million in 2022 (NBS) spans a coastline cubicles, ballot boxes, life jackets, and
of 450 km hence, referred to as the Land of others, to determine the condition as well
Aquatic Splendour. Lagos state is also the as the adequacy of the election materials
commercial hub of the country and is called in its custody. It should be noted that in
the “Centre of Excellence.” The State has preparation for the 2023 General Election,
20 LGAs, 3 Senatorial Districts, 24 Federal the Central Stores in Surulere LGA was
and 40 State Constituencies, 245 RAs and renovated and upgraded to a Zonal Sub-
13, 325 PUs. It has a voter population of Store.
7,060,195, with 6,214,970 PVCs collected.
Conduct of CVR and PVC Collection

Pre-Election Activities The Continuous Voter Registration (CVR)

exercise commenced online and in person
Several Management meetings were held on the 28th of June and the 26th of July
at the State Office at regular intervals in 2021 respectively and suspended on the
preparation for the General Election and 31st of July 2022. The registration exercise

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

was held at the state office and the Local Political Party Activities
Government Area offices. During the fourth
quarter, the CVR exercise was brought The conduct of primaries was initially
closer to the people via LG rotation schedule scheduled to hold between the 4th of April
and a concert tagged #YouthVoteCountNG, 2022 and the 3rdof June 2022 but was
which was held at the Tafawa Balewa Square, later extended to the 9th of June 2022.
Lagos Island, to ensure that intending However, political party primaries in the
voters were not disenfranchised. At the end state commenced in May 2022. Also, during
of the exercise, the state registered a total the period of substitution of candidates
of 504,901 voters. according to the Electoral Act 2022, five
(5) political parties conducted substitution
Though the PVC collection exercise primaries.
commenced simultaneously with the CVR
exercise, the collection of PVCs was at the Sixteen (16) political parties fielded
LGA offices, and this was later moved to the candidates for one Governorship seat while
different Registration Areas in each LGA. Seventeen (17) parties fielded candidates
The exercise ended on the 5th of February for both the Governorship and Forty
2023 and a total of 6,214,970 PVCs were (40) State House of Assembly seats. The
collected. nomination exercise was generally peaceful
in the state and at the end of the exercise,
Electoral Personnel: Recruitment, sixteen (16) Governorship candidates, 29
Training and Remuneration Senatorial candidates, 176 Federal House
of Representatives candidates, 394 State
Ad hoc staff were sourced from NYSC, House of Assembly candidates emerged
MDAs, federal tertiary institutions, and from the exercise out of the eighteen (18)
ex-corps members for the 2023 General political parties.
Election. They attended several trainings,
workshops, and seminars to keep them Stakeholder Engagements
abreast of new technologies, innovations
and regulations in the electoral process and The state embarked on an aggressive
these trainings were cascaded to the LGA voter education campaign before the
level. Similarly, trainings were organized for General Election. Voter education/
ad hoc staff and some critical partners. sensitization went on simultaneously with
the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR)
Details of honoraria payable to all categories and Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection
of election personnel were captured in exercises. Several media like Radio and TV
the appointment letters issued to them programmes, market outreaches, town hall
immediately after the conclusion of the meetings, Church and Mosque outreaches,
short-listing process. jingles, and posters among others, were
used to reach out to the public on the need
Payment was through the online portal to come out and register for their PVCs.
to bank accounts provided by ad hoc Emphasis was also laid on the change
personnel.
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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

of slogan from PVC distribution to PVC up with Logistics Department at the

collection, with the public being sensitized Headquarters and the Zonal stores on
on the importance of collecting their shortfall of non-sensitive materials. The
PVCs after registering, as well as voting state had to improvise on some materials
after collecting their PVCs. Several public not provided e.g., ballot box ID stickers, and
sensitization and mobilization activities sourced in-house for items not provided
were also carried out on the display of e.g., extension box, etc.
preliminary register of voters, to help the
voters make their choices well ahead of It is pertinent to mention here that the
time where they would be voting. ballot papers and result sheets for the
2023 General Election, which were kept in
Several meetings were also held with the custody of the Central Bank of Nigeria
members of the Inter-Agency Consultative (CBN), Lagos were deployed to the 20 LGA
Committee on Election Security (ICCES) at offices on Wednesday 22nd February, and
the State and Local Government Area levels Wednesday the 15th of March 2023 for the
towards ensuring a successful conduct of Presidential/National Assembly elections
the General Election. and the Governorship/State House of
Assembly elections respectively.
Electoral Staff
Identification and Preparation of
A total of 57,169 ad hoc staff sourced from Registration Area Camps (RACs)
NYSC, MDAs, federal tertiary institutions
and ex-corps members were engaged and Prior to the commencement of the General
deployed for the 2023 General Election. Election, the RACs and Super RACs in
To complement the regular training the 245 Registration Areas (RAs) were
earlier undertaken for ad-hoc personnel, inspected to ensure their suitability. Two
the Commission approved a refresher hundred and twenty-four (224) RACs were
training programme. Ad hoc personnel activated while the state also identified
were deployed to areas within their and created 15 special RACs to address the
constituencies to ease their movement issue of late opening of polls in the riverine
due to the cash crunch experienced at the and far-flung areas of the state. Badagry
time. Provision made for reverse logistics LGA had 1 Centre, Apapa and Eti-Osa LGAs
was well laid out and managed to ensure had 2 Centres each, Amuwo-Odofin and
personnel for election were taken back to Epe LGAs had 3 Centres each, while Ojo
their take-off points. LGA had 4 Centres.

Sensitive and Non-Sensitive Logistic Preparation

Electoral Materials
To ensure smooth transportation of men
The deployment of non-sensitive materials and materials throughout the conduct of the
to the 20 LGA offices started in the last 2023 General Election, the state had several
quarter of 2022 and the state followed meetings with the National Association

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and copies of the result sheets and manage the
Private Transporters. Afterwards, Electoral results in consonance with the dictates of
Officers (EOs) were directed to source the INEC Guidelines on election 2022.
vehicles required by their respective LGAs
from NARTO and private transporters Monitoring, Implementation and
found credible. Support for Field Activities
Similarly, the state had a robust engagement Several teams both from the Commission’s
with the Maritime Workers Union and Headquarters and the state office
signed an agreement with the Union to monitored the elections. Field officers were
provide the required number of boats for supported with transportation (vehicles and
the 10 riverine Local Government Areas financially) to monitor the exercise so as to
in the state. The Union coordinated and ensure wide coverage of the exercise and
supervised its members that were engaged timely resolution of issues raised.
for the elections. In fact, some of its officials
usually stayed at the state office to monitor Configuration and Deployment of
and direct their members on the two Accreditation Devices (EVR, VR and
Election Days (25th February, and 18th BVAS)
March, 2023).
The Voter Register for each LGA was printed
Collation and Results Management both in colour as well as black & white copies
System and deployed to the 20 LGAs in the state.
The state had adequate printers and other
Collation of results were done at approved peripherals for the printing of the register
designated centres at all levels of Collation. and the process was smooth and seamless.
Collation Officers were sourced by the
Commission’s Headquarters and list sent A total of 14,162 BVAS devices were
to the Honourable Resident Electoral received in the state. As a result of this,
Commissioner. The list fell short of the 14,162 BVAS were tested, configured, and
number required by the state hence, deployed during the General Election. Due
the state had to seek approval from the to the number of BVAS required for the
Headquarters to source additional hands election and the limited time to the election,
from federal tertiary institutions in the state. ICT Staff, LGTECH staff and NYSC members
This process delayed the commencement of deployed to the state office assisted in the
training for these categories of personnel. configuration exercise. The deployment of
It is important to mention that the state BVAS was done on Wednesday the 22nd of
conducted training for few very senior February 2023.
staff of the Commission that were used to
address cases where some Collation Officers
failed to turn up for the election. The state
also set up a Result Management Team to
oversee the collection of the Commission

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Conduct of the Elections Apapa, Eti-Osa, Ojo and Oshodi-Isolo LGAs.

However, this was eventually resolved with
(the 25th of February and the intervention of the Resident Electoral
the 18th of March) Commissioner and other Transportation
Stakeholders. During the Governorship
Presidential/National Assembly Election, transporters performed better,
Elections and this led to improvement in reverse
logistics.
In Lagos state, 1 Presidential seat, 3
Senatorial seats and 24 Federal House Opening of Polls
of Representatives seats were contested
for during the 25th of February 2023 Most polling stations opened on time across
Presidential and National Assembly the state except in Amuwo-Odofin, Apapa,
election. Eti-Osa, Ojo and Oshodi-Isolo LGAs due
to issues ranging from transporters refusal
Deployment of Personnel and to work, fear of violence, intimidation, and
Materials others, but the process improved greatly
during the second election, as almost all the
The RACs were opened on Friday the 24th PUs opened on time across the state.
of February 2023 and poll officials and
materials were moved into their respective Accreditation and Voting Process
RACs. On Election Day (25th February
2023), poll officials and materials started Accreditation went on smoothly across
moving to the polling units though with the state in most polling units in both the
some hitches here and there. For instance, National and State Elections. The elections
in some LGAs, some POs eloped for fear that were conducted successfully all over the
violence may break out during the election. state with the BVAS during the accreditation
As such, the Electoral Officers had to start of voters.
searching for replacement in the morning of
Election Day. Election Security

Performance of Transport Union The state had all along ensured adequate
Members According to Signed security and policing of the Commission’s
facilities. However, this was intensified with
Contract
the inauguration of the state chapter of the
Some transporters refused to work in the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on
morning of the Election Day on the 25th Election Security (ICCES) on the 17th of
of February 2023 if they were not paid the November 2022. The Committee met again
balance of their money, though this was on the 6th of December 2022 and the 7th
against the agreement reached. All these of February 2023 in continuation of its
caused delay in the opening of polls in the preparations and strategising for the 2023
affected PUs, mostly in Amuwo-Odofin, General Election.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

During the Presidential/National Assembly team to verify all collated results before
elections, there were security lapses in few presentation to the State Returning Officer
places. However, there was improvement during the Governorship election.
in the security structure in the state during
the second election. Lapses observed in the Operation of the Situation Room
first election were corrected and mitigated. and Election Management and
An officer of the Department of State Support Centre (EMSC)
Services (DSS) in the state was attached
to the EMSC team for timely resolution of The EMSC monitored and tracked the
areas where violence was recorded. election activities (pre-, during and post-
election activities) in the state. Three (3)
Closing of Polls Desk Officers and the EOSC team monitored
and reported on electoral activities as well
After close of polls, results were transmitted as challenges emanating from the LGAs for
via the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV) timely resolution. Issues such as shortage
for interested members of the public to of personnel and (both non-sensitive and
follow. Challenges were observed during sensitive) materials, threat, risk and violence,
the transmission of the Presidential refusal of corps members and transporters
Election result from the PUs but results of to move to their respective locations, and
the other elections conducted in the state others were promptly reported. All funds
were transmitted with little or no problems. for operations of the situation room and
However, transmission of results through EMSC were duly disbursed.
IREV in the Governorship Election was
a great improvement compared with the Reverse Logistics
previous elections.
The state set up a reverse logistics team
Implementation of Collation and at the state office to collect/retrieve the
Result Management Process required result sheets and duplicate copies
from the LGAs for the Headquarters. All
The state ensured that it adhered to the sensitive materials retrieved were securely
approved designated centres for the stored in the state office. Similarly, all re-
collation of results at all levels of Collation. usable election materials were retrieved
The CSRVS team was deployed to the state and stored at the Electoral Store, Surulere.
for seamless collation. The election results
were managed based on the provisions Issues and Challenges Associated
of INEC Guidelines and other extant with the Elections
rules. During the collation exercise at
the state office, the state observed in the Cancellation of Results During
Presidential/National Assembly elections Presidential Election
that some disparity in the collated figures
from some LGAs resulted in delay of the The results of polls from some PUs were
process. The state, therefore, set up a cancelled due to reasons like over-voting,

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violence, by-passing of the BVAS among cancelled due to over-voting. However,

others. Below are the records of affected at RA 02 PU 019 and 031, RA 05 PU
LGAs. 005, 006, 019, 020, 022, 027, 030,
031,037, 050, 096, 100, RA 07 PU 001,
a. Alimosho: At RA 01, PUs 088, 115, 128, 008, RA 09 PU 002, RA 11 PU 020,
RA 04 PU 240, RA 06 PU 002, RA 07 025,056,059, 060, 116 and 130, results
PU 143 and RA 09 PU 007, the results were cancelled because hoodlums
were cancelled due to violent disruption attacked and disrupted the process and
of the process by hoodlums. destroyed electoral materials.

b. Epe: At RA 01, PU 008, RA 05 PU 021, h. Oshodi-Isolo: Election in the following

RA 08 PU 021, RA 10 PU 019, results PUs were disrupted due to attacks by
were cancelled because the BVAS was hoodlums and ballot papers burnt and
by-passed, and manual accreditation one BVAS smashed on the ground- RA
was used. 01 PUs 006, 033, 087, 091, 095; RA 02
PU 104; RA 06 PUs 019, 021,024, 032,
c. Eti-Osa: At RA 03, PU 001, RA 05 PUs 034, 035, 036, 062-065; and RA 11 PUs
055-058, RA 06 PUs 025, 032-035, 044, 059, 082, 099, 110, 161, 166, 177, 183
048 and 056, the results were cancelled and 184. It is pertinent to mention here
due to violent disruption of the process that election did not hold at RA 05 PUs
by hoodlums. 048 and 049 due to threat to life of the
ad hoc staff who were prevented by
d. Ibeju-Lekki: At RA 02 PU 005, the result hoodlums from getting to their PUs.
was cancelled due to over-voting.
Incidents from Governorship and
e. Kosofe: At RA 05 PU 129, hoodlums
House of Assembly Elections
disrupted the poll and destroyed
electoral materials while at RA 06 PU The Governorship/State House of
007, 042, 071 and 118, results were Assembly elections in the state witnessed
cancelled due to over-voting. some incidents which resulted in the loss
of some BVAS and cancellation of results
f. Lagos Mainland: At RA 05 PU 009 and
in the affected polling units. However, the
RA 09 PU 009 and 040, results were
cancellations were not significant enough
cancelled due to over-voting; while at
to affect the declaration of results in any
RA 02 PU 036, 070, RA 04, PU 031,
of the constituencies in the state. For
RA 06 PU 004 and 015, RA11 PU 013,
instance, elections could not hold in 10 PUs
polls were disrupted due to attacks
at Victoria Garden City (VGC), Eti-Osa LGA
by hoodlums who destroyed electoral
on 18th March, but was re-scheduled for
materials.
the 19th of March 2023.
g. Ojo: At RA 02 PU 030, RA 04 PU
010, 015, RA 11 PU 113, results were

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Challenges the venues were usually only available

in the evenings thus reducing the hours
a. Prior to the Election Day, the political that could be spent for training, thereby
landscape was heated and there was leading to poor content delivery.
palpable fear that violence could break
out. As such, some Presiding Officers g. There were noticeable inadequate
(POs) and Assistant Presiding Officers security personnel at some RACs such
(APOs) absconded from RACs on the as at Amuwo-Odofin, Alimosho and
eve of the election. This created the Ojo LGAs. Similarly, due to inadequate
problem of sourcing for replacement security at all Collation Centres in Ibeju-
in the morning of Election Day for the Lekki LGA, RA collation done at the
Electoral Officers and this obviously INEC LGA Office simultaneously during
led to delays in opening of polls in the all the elections
affected areas.
h. Some poll officials were attacked on the
b. Mix-up/wrong packing of result sheets way to their PUs in the morning while
and ballot papers most especially, in some were held hostage at the end of
Ikeja State Constituencies. polls late in the night and in some cases
till the next day.
c. Some result sheet booklets for some
LGAs/elections were completely i. Inability of poll officials to upload results
omitted, thus creating avoidable through the BVAS created agitation and
apprehension for those in the LGAs endangered the lives of poll officials
concerned. and INEC staff especially during
the Presidential/National Assembly
d. Some drivers arrived late in the morning elections
of Election Day, leading to late arrival
and opening at some PUs. Similarly, j. Poor allowance/honoraria for POs
some drivers absconded after dropping and APOs caused discouragement
poll officials and materials in the and created room for temptation/
morning, thus creating problems for inducement
reverse logistics.
k. The online recruitment portal was closed
e. Across all cadres, some ad-hoc staff even when states were yet to get full
demonstrated poor understanding of complement of ad-hoc staff required,
the electoral process and what they thus making it difficult to source and
were expected to do. This was because screen applicants for the shortfalls
the time allotted for training was too
short. l. Funding for the elections was inadequate
for some sub-heads, most especially
f. Since the training of ad-hoc staff mostly the provision for the Collation Officers
takes place in public school buildings, in the Governorship/State House of

386
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Assembly elections, servicing/fuelling on Election Day from their residence

of generators and hiring of motorcycles at OPIC in Isheri North to their PU
among others, as the provision did not (24/13/07/016) at Boys Approved
reflect the current economic realities in School Compound in Olowoora, Kosofe
the state. LGA, which is about 5 kilometres apart.

m. The state had to provide transportation

and security to move over 400 voters

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

12.7.3
Ogun State Olaniyi Olaleye Babalola Ijalaye
Capital City: Abeokuta Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ogun State

Delimitation Data

20 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
9 Federal
Constituencies
26 State
Constituencies

236
No of RAs
5,042
No of PUs
2,688,305
No of Registered
Voters
2,278,063
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction companies located within the state.

Ogun state was created on the 3rd of

February 1976 out of the former Western
Pre-Election Activities
state with Abeokuta as the capital. The state
Management Meetings
is bounded on the West by Benin Republic,
on the North by Oyo and Osun states on
After the release of the 2023 General
the East by Ondo state and the South by
Election timetable, various activities
Lagos state. The state covers a land area of
were embarked upon to ensure smooth
approximately 16, 762 km2. Ogun state has
conduct of the election. The Honourable
20 LGAs, 3 Senatorial Districts, 9 Federal
Resident Electoral Commissioner and the
and 26 State Constituencies, 236 RAs and
management team engaged regularly in
5,042 PUs. The total number of registered
series of meetings to plan and strategise on
voters stood at 2,688,305 as at the time of
the conduct of the General Election.
the election, with 2,278,063 PVCs collected.
The state is populated by the Egbas, Audit of Election Materials
Ijebus, Remos, Yewas and the Aworis. The
population according to 2006 population At each stage, the Desk Officer carried out
Census is 3,728,038 people. Majority of the an audit of election materials to ensure
people in the state are business oriented, availability of materials needed for the
well-educated, and politically informed. The successful conduct of the election while a
proximity of Ogun state to Lagos state gave list of materials required for election was
the state a cosmopolitan outlook with some

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

forwarded to the National Headquarters, including ex-corps members. Screening and

Abuja. A check-list of election materials training of Supervisory Presiding Officers
needed for the election was produced and took place from the 11th – the 12th of
updated towards the conduct of the 2023 February 2023, that of Presiding Officers
General Election. Most of the election and Assistant Presiding Officers was held
materials were supplied and distributed to between the 14th and the 16th of February
LGAs. 2023 while that of the Collation Officers/
Returning Officers was held from the 21st
Conduct of CVR and PVC Collection – the 22nd of February 2023.
Exercise
Political Party Activities
Continuous Voter Registration (CVR)
Exercise: The CVR exercise in Ogun state Political party primaries and candidate
was conducted using a total of eighty (80) nomination process were carried out
INEC Voter Enrolment Devices (IVEDs) at in Ogun state as scheduled. Electoral
the LGAs and two (2) Desktop devices at Officers, staff at the LGAs and staff from
the State HQ respectively. These devices the Election and Party Monitoring (EPM)
were utilized to register eligible voters and Department monitored the party primaries
capture their biometric information. and nomination process of political parties
in the state. The EPM team and Electoral
After the completion of the CVR exercise, Officers also monitored the campaign
the Automated Biometric Identification activities of political parties and tracked
System (ABIS) was run against the CVR their campaign fund in the state.
database by the Commission and the
process helped in identifying duplicate Stakeholder Engagements
registrations and ensuring the accuracy and
integrity of the voter registration data. The state had a robust engagement with
stakeholders at all levels towards achieving
Collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) a successful conduct of the 2023 General
Exercise: Sensitization was carried out at Election. Several interactive sessions
the state by the VEP Department and at were held with various categories of
the Local Government Area (LGA) by Voter stakeholders, from the CVR exercise, the
Education Desk Officers (VEDO) on PVC collection of PVC, political party primaries
collection. In Ogun state, a total of 2,278,063 and congresses and throughout the period
PVCs were collected by registered voters. leading to the conduct of the 2023 General
Election.
Electoral Personnel
Electoral Staff Training
The Commission through the INEC PRES
with a dedicated portal recruited ad- Sequel to the release of Ad hoc staff
hoc personnel from the NYSC, federal recruited by the Commission through the
parastatals and tertiary institutions INECPRES to the state, all categories of

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

electoral staff were contacted through SMS. materials at the CBN on three different
All the categories engaged were trained and occasions to ascertain the quantity of
deployed for the election. materials, detect mix-up if any and look out
for possible shortfall to escalate same to
Some of the serving NYSC members that the Director of Operations for immediate
were trained refused to turn up for the action.
election, after receiving their training
allowance; their excuse was based on After ascertaining that all sensitive materials
parental advice not to work with INEC were available in the right quantity, batching
because of fear of violence. They were of the materials into various LGA was done
however replaced with non-NYSC members for onward distribution to the LGAs. The
who attended the mop-up training. materials were finally distributed to all the
20 LGAs.
Refresher training was also conducted for
all categories of ad hoc staff just before the RACS/SRACS: Identification,
gubernatorial election. Refresher training Preparation and Activation
for Collation Officers was held on Friday,
the 17th of March 2023 while that of SPO Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the
was held on Thursday the 16th of March Commission issued a guideline on the 6th of
2023 respectively. Refresher training for July 2020 for states to review and relocate
PO/APO was conducted at the RAC on the their RACs and SRACs to a more spacious
eve of elections. and conducive environment. In line with
this guideline, Ogun state relocated some of
Sensitive and Non-Sensitive its RACs and SRACs to a more suitable and
Electoral Materials conducive location, and all were activated
for the conduct of the election.
The non-sensitive election materials were
received from the National Headquarters Logistic Preparations
and Zonal Store. The state office prepared
a check-list of such materials and was As a result of the MOU signed with the
updated as and when due. The Commission’s National Union of Transportation Workers
Headquarters and Zonal Store were (NURTW) and the National Association of
constantly contacted to ensure receipt Road Transport Owners (NARTO), series of
of shortfalls of any of the non-sensitive meetings were held between the state office
materials. and the transport unions. A committee was
set up to ensure compliance with the MoU
Sensitive election materials such as ballot and specifications that were supplied to the
paper and EC8 series used in the 2023 EOs by the local branch of the Unions for
General Election were in the custody of distribution of men and electoral materials
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Abeokuta before and on Election Day, as well as the
branch, before the commencement of the reverse logistics. Arrangement was equally
election. The state office inspected the made with NNPC Mega Station in Abeokuta

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

for the supply of fuel to all election duty

vehicles throughout the election period.
Conduct of the Elections
(the 25th of February, the
Collation and Result Management 18th of March, and the
System 15th of April)
Collation Officers (COs) that were trained
Deployment of Personnel and
were deployed to various levels of collation
Materials
and members of the CSRVS team were
also deployed to Federal Constituency, The deployment of personnel and materials
Senatorial Districts and State Level to assist was carried out as planned, but the local
the Collation Officers. The COs were issued branch of NURTW at Ifo, Ado Odo/Ota
with copies of Election guidelines which and Obafemi Owode refused to convey
guided their operations during the election. men and materials to the various polling
units on Election Day after receiving their
Monitoring Implementation and payment. Despite these isolated incidences,
Support for Field Activities all election materials and personnel were
moved from the state office to LGAs, and
There were two categories of Monitors from
from the LGAs to RACs on the eve of
INEC Headquarters: four Officials from
election as well as on the day of election.
Abuja supervised the three (3) Senatorial
The movement and deployment were in
Districts in the state, while another nine
real time without any hitch; the retrieval of
officials monitored the election in the nine
men and materials (reverse logistics) was
(9) Federal Constituencies in the state.
also adequately done in Ogun state.
Configuration and Deployment of Performance of the Transport Union
Accreditation Devices Members According to the Signed
In preparation for the 2023 General Election, Contract
BVAS machines were all activated and
The transport union members in Ogun state
configured for use during the 2023 General
performed below expectation, they refused
Election. The configuration and deployment
to follow the MoU signed with them and
process of accreditation devices for the
almost held the Commission to ransom.
2023 General Election, including the EVR
This accounted for the late opening of
on BVAS machines, the printed copy of the
polls during the Presidential and National
EVR, and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation
Assembly Election.
System (BVAS), involved meticulous
planning, rigorous testing, and adherence
Opening and Closing of Polls
to election guidelines.
Despite the initial challenges we faced on
the eve of Presidential/NASS Election, due

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to the inter union squabbles by the NURTW of security personnel and military patrol
and Ogun State Park Managers, the state team before, during and after 2023 General
was able to achieve 75% early opening and Election.
commencement of polls in Ogun state. Polls
opened around 7:30am while accreditation Implementation of Collation and
of voters and voting commenced by 8:30am Result Management Process
in majority of the Local Government Areas
of the state. The challenges were addressed Presidential election results were collated
after the Presidential and National Assembly at the INEC State Media Centre and the
elections and the state was able to achieve Senatorial District Election was held at
100% early opening and commencement the three (3) designated Senatorial District
of polls during the Governorship and State Collation Centres. While that of the Federal
House of Assembly Election. Polls closed Constituencies were collated at the nine (9)
generally by 2:30pm, except in places where Federal Constituencies Collation Centres,
voting procedure did not commence early. Collation Support and Result Verification
System (CSRVS) team was deployed at all
Accreditation and Voting Process stages of the collation exercise.
and Performance of Equipment
For the Governorship election, collation
The accreditation and voting process in was held at the INEC State Media Centre.
the state during the various election types Twenty-five (25) out of the twenty-six (26)
followed best practices as stipulated in State constituencies were held and declared
the 2023 Election Guidelines for the use at the designated Collation Centres while
of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System the outstanding one was concluded after
(BVAS). The Bimodal Voter Accreditation the supplementary election on the 15th of
System performed commendably during April 2023.
the elections in Ogun State.
Operation of Situation Room and
Election Security Architecture Elections Monitoring Support
Centre (EMSC)
There were adequate security personnel
at all formations of the Commission in the The EMSC Situation Room was activated
state. The state office had detachment of for the election. The Centre was critical
The Nigerian Army, Mobile Police, NSCDC in identifying and reporting threats and
Operatives, DSS, Nigeria Correctional proffering solutions to the problems
Service, Federal and State Fire Services with before they became crises. It also helped in
their fire-fighting trucks stationed at the escalating major issues to the EOs, RATECH,
state office. All the 20 LGAs INEC offices HOD E-Ops, HOD ICT and Honourable REC
also had adequate security personnel and if need be. All field assets were tracked and
complements of security men were also monitored. The deployment of materials
at the RACs, Polling Units and Collation and personnel was done at the various
Centres throughout the state. Aside from RACs in the state except in 2 LGAs.
these, there were Quick Response Team
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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Reverse Logistics b. Adequate logistics provision was not

made for LGAs in the riverine areas.
The retrieval of men and materials from the
field to the LGAs after the close of polls c. There were pockets of violence, wilful
was seamless, and all materials were kept disruptions of polls and destruction of
in safe custody of the LGAs and state store election materials and hoodlums in some
respectively. polling units across 13 LGAs during
the Governorship and State Assembly
Issues and Challenges Associated Elections.
with the Election
d. Unwholesome attitude of NURTW
a. Voting in some of the units in Obafemi/ officials/drivers nearly marred the
Owode, Ifo and Ado Odo/Ota could not successful conduct of the Presidential
hold on the 25th of February 2023 due and NASS election, as poll officials were
to the issue with the local branch of not conveyed on time to the polling units
the NURTW. The voting, therefore, was on Election Day and they were equally
shifted to the 26th of February 2023 abandoned after polls by the drivers.
after resolving the issue of movement
of men and materials with the NURTW e. Some of the Corps members absconded
in the affected polling units of the at the peak of the commencement of
concerned LGAs. poll as they were scared and not sure of
their safety during the election, despite
the assurance given by the security
personnel to protect men and materials
deployed for the election.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

12.7.4
Ondo State Oyekola Oludayo Oyelami
Capital City: Akure Admin Sec., Ondo State

Delimitation Data

18 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
9 Federal
Constituencies
26 State
Constituencies

203
No of RAs
3,933
No of PUs
1,991,344
No of Registered
Voters
1,729,641
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction and 3,933 PUs, with 1,991,344 registered

voters and 1,729,641 PVCs collected.
Ondo state, referred to as the “Sunshine
State”, was created from the defunct The state is largely Yoruba, and composed
Western Region on the 3rd of February subgroups of the Akoko, Akure, Ikale, Ilaje,
1976. It originally included what is now Ondo, and Owo peoples. Ijaw minority
known as Ekiti state, until 1996. (such as Apoi Arogbo) and Ilaje populations
who inhabit the coastal areas, while a
Ondo State is in the South-western geo- sizable number of the Ondo state people
political zone of Nigeria and bounded in who speak a variant of the Yoruba language
the North by Ekiti and Kogi states, in the like the Ife dialect reside in Oke-Igbo.
East by Edo state, in the west by Osun
and Ogun states and in the south by the
Atlantic Ocean. Ondo state is located
Pre-Election Activities
entirely within the tropics. Before its
Expansion of Polling Units (PUs) and
creation, the state existed as the Ondo
Province of the old Western Region. The
Voter Education
state covers a land area of 15,500 km2 with
Preparations for the 2023 General Election
its administrative capital at Akure. The
started in 2021 with the expansion of the
population of the state as revealed by the
polling units nationwide to 176,846. After
Year 2006 population is 3,441,024. It has
the end of the exercise in Ondo state,
18 LGAs, 3 Senatorial Districts, 9 Federal
the polling units increased from 3,009 to
and 26 State Constituencies, 203 RAs

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

3,933. This was followed by the Continuous of August 2023 and ended on the 15th of
Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. The November 2023. In all, a total of 16,648
exercise which started in June 2021 and ad-hoc staff sourced from NYSC, MDAs,
was expected to end by June 2022, was federal tertiary institutions and ex-corps
extended due to large turnout. It eventually members were engaged and deployed for
ended on the 31st of July 2022. At the end the 2023 General Election.
of the exercise, the state registered 225,252
new voters. Renovation of the Stores

Series of voter education and enlightenment The condition of the stores in the state
programmes both on Radios and TV were office and the eighteen local government
embarked upon. Apart from these, the Voter offices were suitable to accommodate
Education department went to markets and all electoral materials used for the 2023
other places with “Branded Publicity Van”, General Election. The state took delivery
sensitizing people on the need to come and of the first batch of Bimodal Voter
collect their PVCs and need for them to Accreditation System (BVAS) totalling
come out to vote on Election Day. 3,933 in November 2022 from the central
store while the balance of 65 BVAS needed
Training to have the full complement of 3,998 BVAS
required for the General Election and extra
Staff attended several trainings, workshops, 244 BVAS for contingencies were received
and seminars to keep them abreast of new in December 2022.
technologies, innovations, and regulations
in the electoral process. Ad-hoc staff Election Materials
categories deployed for the election were
sourced mostly from among the serving The sensitive and non-sensitive election
Corps members in the state. Other polling materials released for this election came
staff were sourced from the ranks of the in good time for an early batching and
students of federal tertiary institutions, distribution to LGAs. BVAS were deployed
ex-NYSC members, and staffers of the for the election in all polling units.
Federal Ministries, Departments and
Agencies (MDAs). The latter category and Sorting and Distribution of Non-Sensitive
Commission’s staff served as Supervisors Materials: In preparation for the State
at the Registration Area level while Assembly Election, all non-sensitive
members of the academia, appointed by materials were sorted and distributed into
the Commission served as Collation and polling units with the aid of all staff at the
Returning Officers. These categories of staff local government level. All distributed
excluding members of the academia who items were in the right quantities and duly
served as Collation Officers had to register recorded for record purpose to further
as Ad hoc staff on the online registration foster the ease and timely dispatch of
portal of the Commission (INECPRES) which materials to Registration Area Centre (RAC)
was launched for the exercise on the 15th on the eve of election.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Sensitive Materials: Sensitive materials, 2023 for the ad-hoc staff to acclimatize
such as ballot papers and result sheets themselves to their environment before
(Form EC8) series were received from dusk on the day. All sensitive materials and
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Akure Branch non-sensitive materials were moved to all
on Wednesday the 22nd of February and Registration Area Camps (RACs) of each
Wednesday the 15th of March 2023. These Local Government Area on the dates by
were transported to each Local Government the Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs).
Area amid tight security. The sorting and Each of the RACs in the state was activated
sharing of all sensitive materials to different before 5.00 pm.
Registration Areas were done on Thursday
the 23rd of February and Thursday the Transportation
16th of March 2023. These were done in
the presence of the stakeholders such as Funds were released for various aspects of
security officers and political party agents the election logistics. The Memorandum
in the Conference Hall of each Local of Understanding (MoU) with the National
Government Area’s office. Union of Road Transport Workers was
activated for the election on hiring of
Security vehicles for the movement of men and
materials from the state to the LGAs and
Ahead of the election, the Administrative from LGA offices to the RACs/PUs as well as
Secretary hosted series of meetings with the reverse logistics. The NURTW state officials
Heads of various security agencies under the were at hand throughout the whole election
auspices of the Inter-Agency Consultative period to respond to every distress call on
Committee on Election Security (ICCES). transportation from the field. Similarly,
The security agencies were very active the state had a robust engagement with
during the election. It is necessary to note the Maritime Workers Union to provide
that all RACs were provided with adequate the required boats for the 2 riverine Local
armed security personnel who were moved Government Areas in the state. The Union
from the state office as initial escorts for coordinated and supervised its members
the sensitive materials on Wednesday that were engaged for the elections.
preceding the election. Their allowances
were paid through the Electoral Officers,
and they were also moved back to the state Conduct of the Election
office as escorts for the results with the
LGA Collation Officers after the election. Deployment of Poll Officials and
Materials
Activation of Registration Area
Camps (RACs) All election officials and materials were
deployed as early as 7.00 am on Election
All the 203 RACs were activated across the 18 Day, the 25th of February and the 18th of
LGAs as early as possible on Friday the 24th March 2023 to their respective polling unit
of February and Friday the 17th of March for the commencement of polls. Records

396
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

from the EMSC indicated that 99.7% of Outcome of the Elections/

polling stations were opened by 8.30am Declaration
in all LGAs of the state and polls started
very early in those polling units as well. The Collation of Presidential Election in
Movement of men and materials in all the Ondo state was done at RAs, LGAs and
LGAs was very smooth on the Election Day. State levels. The Presidential election result
was moved to National Collation Centre,
Accreditation and Voting Process Abuja for final Collation. The results of the
National Assembly elections in the state
With the timely deployment of poll officials, were declared by the three Senatorial and
accreditation and voting started at exactly Nine House of Representative Returning
8.30am with a higher percentage of success Officers.
recorded except in few places, where there
was need for technical assistance and the The Collation/Returning of Members of the
RATECHs swung into action for immediate Ondo State House of Assembly election
correction. in Ondo state was done at Registration
Areas and State Constituency levels. The
Sorting and Counting of Ballot Returning Officers at each Constituency
announced the results and returned the
After the close of polls, ballots were openly winners at various State Constituency
sorted and counted in the presence of Collation Centres.
party agents and other available electorates
in all the Polling Units in each of the Local Issues and Challenges Associated
Government Area. with the Elections
Recording and Announcement of a. Reality and dynamisms of the Nigerian
Polls economy were not factored into the
budgeting for the last General Election
Recording and announcement of result because, the cost per day per vehicle
of polls were done immediately after was not reviewed in line with fuel pump
sorting and counting of ballots. Also, the price increase that has become very
publication of poll results was done through frequent.
the pasting of form EC 60E at each Polling
Unit. At the close of poll, all RATECHs got b. The cashless policy of CBN affected
their accreditation data exported, except the preparation for the election as cash
in few places with network challenges. was not readily available and it took the
In the same vein, all results (EC8A and intervention of CBN before cash was
EC8B) series were uploaded as well, with made available.
exception of the challenge met on the part
of URL and e-transmission app but which c. Network challenges affected the
was later resolved. smooth operations and reconfiguration
of the BVAS and electronic transmission
of results.

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

d. Non capturing/accreditation of Old there, even though some areas had

PVCs in some polling units. been identified as flash points before
the election.
e. Non-cooperating and recalcitrant
attitude of the engaged transporters g. Prompt intervention by the
during the exercise which forced the Commission’s management team in
Commission in Ondo state to hire Ondo state averted break-down of law
separate vehicles as many of the engaged and order on the day of the election due
transporters refused to convey the ad- to the wrong and misplaced siting of
hoc staff on the day of the elections some polling units particularly in Akure
and back to the Commission’s Local North and Ese Odo Local governments.
Government offices after the elections.

f. The security was not adequate in

some Local Governments as reported
especially, at Ile Oluji/Okeigbo and
Idanre Local Government Areas. The
elections were characterized by violence

398
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

12.7.5
Osun State Dr. Mutiu Olaleke Agboke
Capital City: Osogbo Resident Electoral Commissioner, Osun State

Delimitation Data

30 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
9 Federal
Constituencies
26 State
Constituencies

332
No of RAs
3,763
No of PUs
1,954,800
No of Registered
Voters
1,594,066
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction of llesa, lla-Orangun, Iwo, Ede, Ejigbo, Ijebu-

Ijesa, Ifetedo, Ibokun, Esa-Oke and Oke-lla
Osun state is an inland state in South- Orangun.
Western Nigeria with a population of 3,
423, 535 (2006 Population Census) with Osun state was created in 1991 from the
Osogbo as the capital. It is bounded in the old Oyo state. The state's name is derived
north by Kwara state, in the east partly by from the River Osun, the venerated
Ekiti state and partly by Ondo state, in the natural spring that is the manifestation
South by Ogun state and in the West by Oyo of the Yoruba goddess of the same name.
state. It has 30 LGAs, 3 Senatorial Districts, The indigenes of the state belong to the
9 Federal and 26 State Constituencies, Yoruba race and comprise of the Oyos,
332 RAs and 3,763 PUs, with a registered Ifes, ljesas and Igbominas. However, non-
voter population of 1,954,800 and indigenes from other parts of the country
1,594,066 PVCs collected. Osun state is and foreigners reside in the state and live
home to several of Nigeria's most famous together in harmony. Yoruba and English are
landmarks, including the campus of the languages used for official and business
Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria's transactions.
pre-eminent institution of higher learning.
The university is also located in the ancient
town of Ile-Ife, an important early centre
of political and religious development for
Yoruba culture. Other important cities and
towns include the ancient kingdom-capitals

399
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Pre-Election Activities Electoral Personnel

Management Meetings Various categories of Ad-hoc election

personnel were recruited through INEC
The management met regularly to evolve PRES portal which is a dedicated portal
strategies for the successful conduct for recruitment of election personnel. The
of the 2023 General Election while portal was opened for interested qualified
also reviewing the activities outlined in applicants between the 14th of September
preparation for the election and ensuring 2022 and the 14th of December 2022.
that no stone was left unturned. The The bulk of personnel deployed for the
management also met severally with the position of Supervisory Presiding Officers
Electoral Officers to evaluate the level of (SPOs) were recruited from INEC staff on
preparedness in the various LGAs, while grade level 08 and above while the bulk
equally doing all that was needed to address of personnel deployed as POs/APOs were
issues raised by Electoral Officers for a good recruited from National Youth Service
outing during the election. Corps (NYSC) members, penultimate
students of federal higher institutions and
Audit of Electoral Materials former (2018) NYSC members. Collation/
Returning Officers were recruited from
Months ahead of the conduct the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU),
of 2023 General Election, a comprehensive University of Ilorin and Federal Polytechnic,
inventory of the electoral materials was Ede. Also, RAC Managers were recruited
carried out and it availed the office the from staff of School Hosting the RAC. All
opportunity to unearth record of what was ad-hoc staff that were recruited for the
available as well as what was needed to election were trained and administered with
make up for the required numbers in terms the Oath of neutrality prior to the Election
of the electoral materials. Day. The SPOs/other ad hoc staff reported
for duty at the RACs as instructed by the
Conduct of CVR Commission.

The Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) Statutory Notices

was conducted between July 2021 and
March 2022 at both the LGA offices and at a. Notice of Election was published on the
the 332 Registration Areas (RAS). Collection 28th of February 2022
of PVCs by their owners was done both at
Registration Areas and at the LGAs, and it b. In line with the provisions of section
was finally stopped on Sunday the 5th of 32 of the Electoral Act, publication of
February 2023. At the end of the exercise, personal particulars of candidates for
a total of 1,955,657 voters were registered Presidential and National Assembly
while 1,518,303 PVCs were collected. election was done at the state office,
the 30 Local Government offices as
well as the Area Office on the 20th of

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

September 2022 Evacuation of Sensitive Materials at

Central Bank of Nigeria
c. Publication of personal particulars of
candidates for State House of Assembly The Honourable Resident Electoral
election was done at the state office, Commissioner (REC), accompanied by
the 30 Local Government offices as well the Management Staff monitored the
as the Area Office on the 4th of October evacuation of ballot papers at the premises
2022 of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
alongside party functionaries and media on
Conduct of Political Party Primaries Wednesday the 22nd of February 2023 as
well as on Wednesday the 15th of March
All the political parties in the state worked 2023.
in line with the timetable rolled out and
electoral guidelines of the election. The Stakeholder Engagements
party primaries started on the 4th of
April 2022 and ended on the 9th of June In preparation for the elections, the
2022. All the primaries were monitored Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) and
by staff of the state office in conjunction his management team conducted several
with INEC Headquarters staff and reports enlightenment meetings to sensitize the
submitted accordingly. At the end of it all, different stakeholders including political
only seventeen (17) out of the eighteen parties' leaders, traditional rulers, religious
(18) registered political parties had their leaders, Civil Society Organizations,
primaries and produced candidates. The All Community Based Organizations, Faith
Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) did not Based Organizations, MDAs, students,
conduct any primary in the state PWDs, NYSC corps members, the Media
and accredited observer groups on the
Collection of Accredited Observer need to play their various roles within the
Kits and Party Agents’ Tags ambit of the law and also support peaceful
election. The REC frequently engaged
The collection Observer kits took place at Heads of security agencies individually
INEC state office premises between Tuesday and collectively through the Inter-Agency
the 21st and Friday, the 24th of February Consultative Committee on Election
2023. Out of Eighty (80) accredited Local Security (ICCES) and unearthed strategies
Observer Groups, only Fifty-four (54) that were used to secure the conduct of the
Groups collected their kits. The state took election.
delivery of twenty-two thousand and forty-
three (22,043) units of party agent tags on Sensitive and Non-Sensitive
Tuesday the 21st of February 2023 and Electoral Materials
same materials were collected by political
parties in the state. The Non-Sensitive electoral materials
used for the conduct of the elections were
distributed to the 30 Local Government

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Areas of the state as soon as they Logistic Preparations

were received from the Commission's
Headquarters. However, training manual The office worked out a very robust
during training of POs and APOs was grossly transportation plan for the conduct of
inadequate as trainees had to pair. Similarly, the 2023 General Election. The plan was
the distribution of all sensitive materials to effectively implemented based on the
the LGAs for the Presidential and National MoU signed with the National Union
Assembly election was done on Wednesday of Road Transport Workers (NURTW)
the 22nd of February 2023 and Wednesday and Association of Motorcycle Riders
the 15th of March 2023 for the State and it assisted in the adequate logistic
Assembly election at the premises of the arrangement that was put in place for the
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Osogbo movement of personnel and materials to
Branch where the sensitive materials were various LGAs, as well as the deployment
deposited. This was after the Resident of electoral personnel to their polling units
Electoral Commissioner took delivery of the on the Election Day. All functional vehicles
materials from the CBN Branch Controller were deployed, while the Federal Road
in the presence of security agents, political Safety Corps (FRSC) in the state assisted the
party agents and in the full glare of the Commission with two (2) saloon cars and
Media. The vehicles that carried the sensitive two (2) Hilux pick-up vans. The Federal Fire
materials to the 30 LGAs were escorted by Service came with its Fire Extinguisher Truck
some armed security men. The Electoral in case of fire outbreak. The arrangement
Officers and SPOs later sorted and batched made the reverse logistics a seamless one.
the materials to different Registration Areas
on Thursday the 23rd of February 2023. Collation and Results Management
Adequate arrangements were in place in System
all the 30 LGAs for the conduct of reverse
logistics as the SPOs took pain to retrieve During the Presidential and National
all the materials and submitted them to the Assembly Election, collation at many of
Electoral Officers accordingly. the RAs commenced at 5:00pm and as at
9:00pm, collation began in many LGAs
Identification, Preparation and across the state. Collation of constituency
Activation of RACs and SRACs results commenced in many Senatorial and
House of Representatives Collation Centres
The RACs and SRACs were identified well and were concluded on Sunday the 26th of
ahead of time and quality control checks February 2023. Meanwhile the collation for
were carried out on them by the Electoral the Presidential Election took off at about
Officers to ascertain their suitability to 10:00am on Sunday the 26th of February
provide reasonable comfort for the ad- hoc 2023 at the state collation centre having
staff during RAC activities. received a reasonable number of LGAs
Collation Officers. For the State Assembly
election, collation at the RAs commenced
at 3:00pm and progressed to the LGA

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Collation and declaration Centres as at Four Thousand, One Hundred and Thirty-
7:00pm. Four (4134) and this include the Back-Up
provided to attend to incidences that might
Implementation of Collation and arise on the field.
Results Management Process

During collation at the various stages of Conduct of the Elections

the elections, zero votes were recorded (the 25th of February and
for PUs where Election Officials were
prevented from using BVAS, while form EC
the 18th of March)
40G was filled for PUs where election was
Deployment of Personnel and
cancelled because of irregularity.
Materials
Situation Room and Elections
During the Presidential and NASS Election,
Monitoring and Support Centre movement of men and materials began as
(EMSC) early as 6:00am from the RACs to the PUs in
company of security agents on Saturday the
The Situation Room/Election Management
25th of February 2023 and as at 7:30am all
Support Centre (EMSC) was activated
the men and materials had arrived at their
on Friday the 24th of February 2023 for
various PUs. Similarly, movement of election
Presidential and NASS election. Monitoring
officials and election materials began as
of election officials and materials deployed
early as 6:00am from the RACs to the PUs
to the RACs began on Friday the 24th of
in company of Security Agents during the
February 2023. Similarly, the Situation
State Assembly Election on Saturday the
Room was reactivated on the 17th of March
18th of March 2023 and by 7:00am all the
2023 for the State Assembly election. The
officials and materials had arrived at their
Situation Room also monitored accreditation
various PUs to set up the station for the
and voting process as well as sorting,
poll. Performance of the Transport Union
counting and collation of election results
members was in accordance with the Signed
during the two elections. The Activation
MoU and this assisted early movement
of the Election Operations Support
of men and materials on the Election Day
Centre (EOSC) assisted in facilitating quick
as well as the reverse logistics plan put in
interventions to all distress calls received
place.
from the field during the election.
Opening of Polls
Configuration and Deployment of
Accreditation Devices (EVR, VR and Polling commenced in all the PUs by
BVAS) 8:30am during the two elections on 25th
February, and 18th March 2023 indicating
The total number of BVAS configured and 100% commencement/opening of poll in
deployed for the 25th of February and Osun state as attested to by the reports of
the 18th of March 2023 election stood at

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the EOSC, Election Observer Groups and the build-up to the 2023 General Election.
other accredited CSOs that monitored the The measure put in place was to nip in the
election in the LGAs across the state. bud any form of security threat. Various
black spots were identified throughout the
Accreditation and Voting Process state and necessary arrangements were
and Performance of Equipment put in place by the security agencies to
prevent outbreak of violence. There is no
Accreditation and voting were done doubt that the structure put in place helped
simultaneously during the Presidential and in maintaining law and order during the
NASS election on the 25th of February election.
2023 and State Assembly elections on the
18th of March 2023. However, few issues Issues and Challenges Associated
of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System with the Elections
(BVAS) malfunctioning were reported in
some PUs and were swiftly rectified by Issues of violence and disruption of electoral
the RATECHS for the smooth conduct of processes was extremely minimal in this
accreditation and voting. election because of effective deployment of
security personnel. However, Presidential
Closing of Polls and the National Assembly Election did
not hold in the following PUs: Atakunmosa
Polls ended by 2:30pm in most of the PUs East LGA- RA 08, PU 001; Ife South LGA-
during Presidential/NASS election and RA 011, PU 003; Isokan LGA- RA 01 PUs
State Assembly election and as at 2:30pm, 003 and 005; RA 10 PU 006; Ila LGA- RA 03
sorting and counting of ballots commenced PU 002; RA 010 PU 005; and Orolu LGA-
in many PUs across the state. However, RA05 PU 007 due to disruption of polls by
accreditation and voting were extended political thugs. In the process, two BVAS
in some PUs across the state due to large were lost.
turnout of voters during the two elections.
This was adequately taken care of by the
ad-hoc personnel.

Election Security Architecture

Solid security architecture was put in place

by the Commission in collaboration with the
ICCES and they played a vital role during

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12.7.6
Oyo State Dr. A. Rahmon Tella
Capital City: Ibadan Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oyo State

Delimitation Data

33 No of
LGAs 3 Senatorial
Districts
14 Federal
Constituencies
32 State
Constituencies

351
No of RAs
6,390
No of PUs
3,276,675
No of Registered
Voters
2,761,421
No of PVCs
Collected

Introduction not limited to expansion of voters’ access

cum creation/conversion of voting points
Oyo state nicknamed Pace Setter is an to polling units, Continuous Voters
inland state located in Southwest Nigeria Registration (CVR), conduct of parties’
and covers approximately an area of 28, primaries and conventions, recruitment,
454 square kilometres. The state is made of and training of ad-hoc staff. There were also
five zones, viz: Ibadan Zone with eleven (11) monitoring and supervision of political party
LGAs, Oyo Zone with 4 LGAs, Ibarapa Zones primaries for nomination of candidates,
with three 3, Oke Ogun zone with 10 LGAs conduct of mock accreditation exercise
and Ogbomoso Zone with 5 LGAs. Oyo in some selected polling units across the
state has 33 LGAs, 3 Senatorial Districts, 14 three (3) Senatorial Districts in the state as
Federal and 32 State Constituencies, 351 well as testing and configuration of BVAS
RAs and 6,390 PUs. It has a registered voter machines. In addition to this was massive
population of 3,276,675, with 2,761,421 and extensive conduct of voters’ education/
PVCs collected. sensitization throughout the state using
Radio and Television jingles, stakeholder
meetings, announcement, spotlights, press
Pre-Election Activities conferences and commentaries, which were
covered by the media houses.
The planning and pre-election activities
for 2023 General Election commenced Preparations for Election
immediately after the 2019 General
Election. These activities included but Configuration of BVAS: BVAS configuration

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exercise which commenced on Monday Districts in the state. Twenty-four (24) BVAS
the 30th of January 2023 by the ICT/VR (including the Back Up) were deployed for
staff was completed by the 9th of February the exercise. Personnel deployed were well
2023. This configuration was done on trained on the use of BVAS and properly
Local Government basis in alphabetic order. briefed ahead of the exercise. All materials
Despite the little hitches of poor network needed for the exercise were provided
initially experienced, all the 6,390 BVAS in right quantity. The exercise was well
deployed to the state were successfully supervised and thus successful.
configured.
Training of Election Officials
Voters Register: Copies of Voters Register
for each of the thirty-three (33) LGAs in the Training of all categories of ad-hoc staff
state were printed by ICT department in began on Saturday the 11th of February
both colour and black & white. The printing 2023 at state level, starting with training
of the Voters’ Registers for each of the 33 of Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs),
LGAs in the state was done by the 10th of then the Presiding Officers with their
February 2023 and these were moved to Assistants (PO/APOs) which took place in
LGAs two days before the Presidential and all the 33 Local Government Areas in the
National Assembly Election. state. Training was also organized for the
Collation Officers/ Returning Officers at the
ICCES: Constant meeting of the Inter- state level. Due to a week’s postponement
Agency Consultative Committee on suffered by the Governorship and House
Election Security (ICCES) helped in planning of Assembly election, a refresher training
and putting in place an elaborate security course was again organized for all the
arrangement before, during, and after the categories of election officials. A total of
election. These constant engagements 28,879 ad-hoc personnel were trained and
also helped in dealing with the issue of deployed for the elections.
transportation of men/ materials as well
as reverse logistics for the 2023 General Arrival and Distribution of Sensitive
Election, since the NURTW (a beneficiary and Non-Sensitive Materials
of the INEC-Transport Unions MoU) had
been proscribed/ banned in the state and Sensitive materials meant for the elections
replaced with Park Management System were received at the Oyo state branch of
(PMS). There was also Electoral Security the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dugbe, Ibadan
Personnel Training which helped to build and same were inspected, sorted, and
the capacity of security personnel in the distributed to each of the 33 LGAs in right
state. quantity. Security agents were on hand to
accompany the sensitive materials to the
Mock Accreditation: Mock accreditation LGA offices and to all the RACs in the state.
exercise successfully took place on Saturday
the 4th of February 2023 in 12 selected
polling units across the three Senatorial

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Non-sensitive election materials including Result Collation and Management

but not limited to various forms, biros, System
markers stickers, stamps, calculators
supplied to the state from the Commission’s Collation of Results at all levels as well
Zonal Store in Osogbo and Central store Declaration of Results went smoothly in all
Abuja were received and distributed to the 14 Federal Constituencies, three Senatorial
LGA offices. District for Presidential Election and in all
the thirty-two (32) State Constituencies
RACs Activation and Governorship result. The two sets of
the General Election went peacefully and
By the evening of Fridays preceding the seamlessly throughout the state with the
two Election Days, all the RACs in the state cooperation of all the stakeholders except
had been activated and well-guarded by for two places in Oluyole and Ibadan
security agents which ensured safety of North-East/ Ibadan South-East Federal
men and materials in those RACs. Constituencies, that made the state to have
supplementary elections on Saturday the
15th of April 2023.
Conduct of the Elections
The various Election Management
Opening of Poll Platforms such as the Collation Verification
and Result System (CSRVS), E-Collation,
There was early arrival of poll officials as
Electronic Collation, the use of RATECH
well as materials in majority of the polling
and the increase in the number of Collation
units in the state which ensured that poll
Officers to speed up the Collation of Results
commenced as schedule in most of the
were utilized for the election, and they
polling units in the state. However, late
were commendable measures. However,
opening of poll was observed in a few
there is need to give further training and
Polling Units due to logistic reasons.
enlightenment to the Collation / Returning
Officers as well as Electoral Officers on the
Accreditation New Guidelines and Electoral Act 2022
with respect to management of the result,
Report from the field indicated that
particularly the new principle of margin of
accreditation went without hitches as BVAS
lead, to prevent unnecessary cancellation
machines worked effectively and efficiently
of result and thereby reducing the case of
in most polling units. In few places where
inconclusive elections.
BVAS malfunctioned, the RA-Techs were on
hand to replace/repair the affected BVAS
Situation Room and Elections
machines.
Monitoring and Support Centres
(EMSC)

In furtherance of the objectives of the

Elections Monitoring and Support Centre

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

(EMSC), the Secretariat became operational process through the prompt action of the
at 2.00pm on Friday the 24th of February Response Team. These were tagged and
2023 for Presidential/National Assembly appropriately logged in to the situation
Elections as well as on Friday the 17th of room of the National Headquarters by the
March for the Governorship and House State Electoral Operations Support Centre
of Assembly election. The EMSC was at Desk Officers.
INEC State Office, Agodi, Ibadan; utilizing
the mini conference hall where necessary Issues and Challenges Associated
machineries were set in motion using the 33 with the Elections
Local Government Contact Officers, Data
Administrators, Floor Managers, and the The elections were not without challenges.
Response Teams. The Data Administrators One major challenge was the proscription
highlighted the two templates on of National Union of Road Transport
Compliance and Threat Matrix that covered Workers (NURTW) which is a major source
the three activity areas of Registration Area of transportation of electoral materials
Centre, Accreditation and Voting, as well as and establishment of Park Management
Collation of Results. System (PMS) by the state government. But
with wisdom and commitment of ICCES
Based on the monitoring functions of the members, the state was able to overcome
contact persons in each Local Government the challenge. The initial budgetary provision
Area, early arrival of field assets to for hiring vehicles was grossly inadequate
Registration Area Centre, to Accreditation/ and put great burden on the Commission
Voting and collation of results activities, at both state and LGAs. The BVAS allocated
compliances, and complaints, such as few and used for training of all categories of ad
instances of malfunctioning of BVAS were hoc personnel were inadequate for proper
noted, escalated, and resolved. General understanding of the system. There were
threat cases of inadequate availability of also some mixed-up in the arrangement of
security personnel and other electoral ballot papers in the cartons.
malpractices were prevented from marring
the smooth conduct of the electoral

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Chapter 13
Conclusion

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The 2023 General Election is the sixth Electoral Act 2022 that has been widely
successive general election since the return acknowledged as the most progressive
of democracy in Nigeria on the 29th of May electoral legislation to date. Among the
1999 following decades of military rule. It remarkable provisions are the recognition
is, however, the first to have the benefit of of the use of electoral technologies for the
a fresh electoral law as a guide. Hitherto, Commission’s activities, expansion of the
the National Assembly had at different time-lines for the Commission to undertake
times merely amended the 1998 military certain critical electoral activities governed
decree that had ushered in the civilian rule. by law and the provision requiring the
However, on the 24th of February 2022 release of fund for the conduct of a General
the Assembly repealed Electoral Act 2010 Election to the Commission one full year
(as amended) and enacted a new Electoral ahead of the election.
Act 2022. President Muhammadu Buhari
promptly singed it into law the following day. Another remarkable feat was that the first
Just as promptly, the Independent National set of elections, that is the Presidential
Electoral Commission (INEC), issued its and National Assembly elections were
Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the successfully conducted on schedule
2023 General Election the day after on 26th for the first time since 2011. Although
February 2022, in accordance with Section the Governorship and State Houses of
28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 which says Assembly elections that were scheduled
it shall do so not later than 360 days before to have followed two weeks later were
the day appointed for the election. rescheduled, this was due to no fault of the
Commission. The elections was postponed
This report is INEC’s story of how it planned by a week as a result of an order of Court
and executed the 2023 General Elections arising from litigations which arose from
which started with the Presidential and the Presidential Election that delayed the
National Assembly elections on 25th configuration of Bimodal Voter Accreditation
February, followed by the Governorship System (BVAS). To be sure the use of BVAS
and State Houses of assembly elections on is a legal requirement for accreditation of
18th March 18th, and by supplementary voters. Its functionality which recorded
elections where results could not be over 98% success eliminated the chances
declared at first ballot on 15th April 2023. of anyone voting more than once or using
someone else’s Permanent Voters Card
The report captured the entire gamut of (PVC) due to the Commission’s policy of,
electoral activities undertaken by INEC “No accreditation, No voting.
during the 2019 – 2023 electoral cycle
and provide readers with a complete Last, but by no means the least, the 2023
comprehensive narrative on the conduct General Election saw more parties winning
of the 2023 General Election from the both executive and legislative seats more
perspective of the Commission. First and than at any time since 1999. To be sure, nine
foremost, the election was conducted of the 18 political parties won legislative
under a new electoral legal framework, the seats (seven political parties in the Senate,

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

eight political parties in the House of it suffered which prevented the uploading of
Representatives and nine political parties the PU result of the presidential results, the
in the State Houses of Assembly). The 2023 General Election can be considered
credibility of the election is also underscored as the best planned and most credible
by the fact that in some of the States of election since 1999. A vital lesson from
the federation, the House of Assembly is the conduct of the election is that elections
dominated by members from of different is a multi-stakeholder activity and unless
political parties from the executive and in the and until each stakeholder in the country’s
situation where many some leading political democratic journey plays its expected role,
parties and candidates, including incumbent not even the most perfect laws or the
State Governors lost in their presumed best technologies can deliver a universally
strongholds. Furthermore, the election acceptable election for the country. Neither
witnessed the increased participation of laws nor technologies execute themselves.
youth, Persons with Disability (PwDs) and Both are executed by human beings with
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as a their frailties.
result of the Commission’s deliberate policy
to mobilise and facilitate the participation
of every eligible voter in the election.

By and large, despite the human, resource

and infrastructural challenges INEC
confronted in conducting the 2023 General
Election and especially the technical glitches

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Annexures

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Annexure 1: Transportation Matrix for the Supplementary Elections to the General

Election held on 18th April 2023
A B C D E H I J K L M N O P S
S/N States LGA No. of No. of No. of Prov. of Prov. of Hiring of Hiring of Provision of Hiring of Hiring of Total Prov. of
RAs PUs Poll Vehicles Vehicles. Vehicles Vehicle Vehicle for Vehicle Vehicle Vehicles M/Cycle
Officials for Poll for for RA for RA Movement for LGA for LGA for Diff.
Off. (@ 12 Reverse Supervisors. Collation from State Supervisors. Collation Terrain (@
Person Logistics Officers HQ to LGA Officer 10 Per Ra)
for 14
Seater
Bus)
Governorship
1 Adamawa 20 46 69 388 32 46 46 46 20 20 20 230 460
2 Kebbi 20 90 142 768 64 90 90 90 20 20 20 394 900
Total 40 136 211 1156 96 136 136 136 40 40 40 624 1360
Senatorial Election
1 Kebbi North SD 6 14 23 112 9 14 14 14 6 6 6 69 140
2 Sokoto East SD 8 34 90 402 34 34 34 34 8 8 8 160 340
3 Sokoto North SD 8 46 163 706 59 46 46 46 8 8 8 221 460
4 Sokoto South SD 7 44 134 587
5 Zamfara Central 4 20 83 356 30 20 20 20 4 4 4 102 200
SD
Total 33 158 493 2163 131 114 114 114 26 26 26 551 1140
Federal Constituency Election
1 Abak /Etim 3 8 25 111 9 8 8 8 3 3 3 42 80
Ekpo/Ika FC
2 Ikono/Ini FC 1 1 17 70 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 12 10
3 Ogbaru FC 1 6 45 187 16 6 6 6 1 1 1 37 60
4 Southern Ijaw FC 1 8 32 137 11 8 8 8 1 1 1 38 80

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

5 Orhionmwon/ 2 6 48 200 17 6 6 6 2 2 2 41 60
Uhunmwode FC
6 Mbaitoli/ Ikeduru 2 13 58 247 21 13 13 13 2 2 2 66 130
FC
7 Fagge FC 1 6 19 83 7 6 6 6 1 1 1 28 60
8 Tudun Wada FC 1 8 13 61 5 8 8 8 1 1 1 32 80
9 Arewa/Dandi FC 2 6 7 36 3 6 6 6 2 2 2 27 60
10 Koko Besse- 2 7 10 49 4 7 7 7 2 2 2 31 70
Maiyama FC
11 Dekina/Bassa FC 1 8 44 185 15 8 8 8 1 1 1 42 80
12 Ibadan North- 2 2 2 12 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 13 20
East/Ibadan
South East FC
13 Oluyole FC 1 2 2 11 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 10 20
14 Khana/Gokana 1 2 42 171 14 2 2 2 1 1 1 23 20
FC
15 Port Harcourt 1 10 377 1519 127 10 10 10 1 1 1 160 100
II FC
16 Binji/Silame FC 2 10 23 104 9 10 10 10 2 2 2 45 100
17 Bodinga/Dange 3 19 54 238 20 19 19 19 3 3 3 86 190
Shuni/Tureta FC
18 Kware/Wamakko 2 11 49 209 17 11 11 11 2 2 2 56 110
FC
19 Gada/Goronyo 2 13 46 199 17 13 13 13 2 2 2 62 130
FC
20 Gwadabawa/ 2 7 12 57 5 7 7 7 2 2 2 32 70
Illela FC
21 Isa/Sabo Birni FC 2 8 13 62 5 8 8 8 2 2 2 35 80
22 Rabah/Wurno FC 2 6 19 84 7 6 6 6 2 2 2 31 60

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

23 Sokoto North/ 2 19 85 361 30 19 19 19 2 2 2 93 190

Sokoto South FC
24 Gudu/Tanganza 2 6 6 32 3 6 6 6 2 2 2 27 60
FC
25 Kebbe/Tambuwal 2 13 54 231 19 13 13 13 2 2 2 64 130
FC
26 Yabo/Shagari FC 2 12 26 118 10 12 12 12 2 2 2 52 120
27 Takum/Ussa/ 2 7 79 325 27 7 7 7 2 2 2 54 70
Donga FC
28 Gusau/Tsafe FC 2 14 64 272 23 14 14 14 2 2 2 71 140
29 Gummi/ 2 4 7 34 3 4 4 4 2 2 2 21 40
Bukkuyum FC
30 Gumel/ 2 4 6 30 3 4 4 4 2 2 2 21 40
Maigatari/
Sule Tankarkar/
Gagarawa FC
31 Ezza North/ 1 3 35 144 12 3 3 3 1 1 1 24 30
Ishielu FC
Total 54 249 1319 5579 465 249 249 249 54 54 54 1374 2490
State Constituency Election
1 Etim Ekpo/Ika SC 2 14 32 144 12 14 14 14 2 2 2 60 140
2 Ogbia Ii SC 1 4 94 381 32 4 4 4 1 1 1 47 40
3 Afikpo South 1 3 7 32 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 15 30
East SC
4 Ezza South SC 1 6 10 47 4 6 6 6 1 1 1 25 60
5 Ikwo North SC 1 5 7 34 3 5 5 5 1 1 1 21 50
6 Afikpo North 1 3 5 24 2 3 3 3 1 1 1 14 30
West SC

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

7 Abakaliki North 1 2 6 27 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 11 20
SC
8 Oredo East SC 1 4 29 121 10 4 4 4 1 1 1 25 40
9 Egor SC 1 4 26 109 9 4 4 4 1 1 1 24 40
10 Ovia South West 1 1 13 54 5 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 10
SC
11 Ido Osi I SC 1 1 3 14 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 7 10
12 Ahiazu Mbaise 1 3 9 40 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 15 30
SC
13 Chawai/Kauru SC 1 2 2 11 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 10 20
14 Giwa West SC 1 2 2 11 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 10 20
15 Ikara SC 1 8 13 61 5 8 8 8 1 1 1 32 80
16 Sanga SC 1 4 8 37 3 4 4 4 1 1 1 18 40
17 Kudan SC 1 6 25 107 9 6 6 6 1 1 1 30 60
18 Ajingi SC 1 5 8 38 3 5 5 5 1 1 1 21 50
19 Danbatta SC 1 7 81 332 28 7 7 7 1 1 1 52 70
20 Dawaki Tofa SC 1 5 8 38 3 5 5 5 1 1 1 21 50
21 Garko SC 1 2 3 15 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 10 20
22 Gabasawa SC 1 3 5 24 2 3 3 3 1 1 1 14 30
23 Gaya SC 1 3 4 20 2 3 3 3 1 1 1 14 30
24 Gezawa SC 1 4 5 25 2 4 4 4 1 1 1 17 40
25 Gwarzo SC 1 6 7 35 3 6 6 6 1 1 1 24 60
26 Makoda SC 1 6 12 55 5 6 6 6 1 1 1 26 60
27 Takai SC 1 3 5 24 2 3 3 3 1 1 1 14 30
28 Tudun Wada SC 1 4 19 81 7 4 4 4 1 1 1 22 40
29 Ungogo SC 1 6 11 51 4 6 6 6 1 1 1 25 60
30 Warawa SC 1 3 5 24 2 3 3 3 1 1 1 14 30

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

31 Wudil SC 1 3 4 20 2 3 3 3 1 1 1 14 30
32 Arewa SC 1 2 2 11 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 10 20
33 Augie SC 1 3 5 24 2 3 3 3 1 1 1 14 30
34 Gwandu SC 1 8 17 77 6 8 8 8 1 1 1 33 80
35 Jega SC 1 8 13 61 5 8 8 8 1 1 1 32 80
36 Kalgo SC 1 3 4 20 2 3 3 3 1 1 1 14 30
37 Koko Besse SC 1 4 4 21 2 4 4 4 1 1 1 17 40
38 Maiyama SC 1 6 14 63 5 6 6 6 1 1 1 26 60
39 Sakaba SC 1 5 7 34 3 5 5 5 1 1 1 21 50
40 Agaie SC 1 5 7 34 3 5 5 5 1 1 1 21 50
41 Rijau SC 1 1 3 14 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 7 10
42 Agwara SC 1 2 2 11 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 10 20
43 Rafi SC 1 3 3 16 1 3 3 3 1 1 1 13 30
44 Ifo I SC 1 1 1 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 7 10
45 Karim Lamido 1 3 3 16 1 3 3 3 1 1 1 13 30
II SC
46 Geidam North SC 1 2 2 11 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 10 20
47 Birnin Kudu SC 1 4 6 29 2 4 4 4 1 1 1 17 40
48 Dutse SC 1 5 7 34 3 5 5 5 1 1 1 21 50
49 Yankwashi SC 1 3 7 32 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 15 30
50 Kankia SC 1 5 6 30 3 5 5 5 1 1 1 21 50
51 Kankara SC 1 9 17 78 7 9 9 9 1 1 1 37 90
52 Kurfi SC 1 6 8 39 3 6 6 6 1 1 1 24 60
53 Oji River SC 1 1 1 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 7 10
54 Gerei SC 1 5 7 34 3 5 5 5 1 1 1 21 50
55 Gombi SC 1 3 5 24 2 3 3 3 1 1 1 14 30
56 Numan SC 1 2 14 59 5 2 2 2 1 1 1 14 20
57 Toungo SC 1 3 3 16 1 3 3 3 1 1 1 13 30
Total 58 234 636 20616 1620 1229 1229 1229 297 297 297 6198 12290
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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Annexure 2: Result of the Presidential Election Held on

25th February 2023

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Annexure 3: Results of the Governorship Election

Results of the Governorship Election in 28 States of the Federation
S/N State Constituency Code No of No of RAs No of PUs Party
LGAs
1 Abia Governor AB 17 184 4,062 LP
2 Adamawa Governor AD 21 226 4,104 PDP
3 Akwa Ibom Governor AK 31 329 4,353 PDP
4 Bauchi Governor BA 20 212 5,423 PDP
5 Benue Governor BN 23 276 5,102 APC
6 Borno Governor BO 27 312 5,071 APC
7 Cross River Governor CR 18 193 3,281 APC
8 Delta Governor DT 25 270 5,863 PDP
9 Ebonyi Governor EB 13 171 2,946 APC
10 Enugu Governor EN 17 260 4,145 PDP
11 Gombe Governor GM 11 114 2,988 APC
12 Jigawa Governor JG 27 287 4,522 APC
13 Kaduna Governor KD 23 255 8,012 APC
14 Kano Governor KN 44 484 11,222 NNPP
15 Katsina Governor KT 34 361 6,652 APC
16 Kebbi Governor KB 20 225 3,743 APC
17 Kwara Governor KW 16 193 2,887 APC
18 Lagos Governor LA 20 245 13,325 APC
19 Nasarawa Governor NW 13 147 3,256 APC
20 Niger Governor NG 25 274 4,950 APC
21 Ogun Governor OG 20 236 5,042 APC
22 Oyo Governor OY 33 351 6,390 PDP
23 Plateau Governor PL 17 207 4,989 APC
24 Rivers Governor RV 23 319 6,866 PDP
25 Sokoto Governor SO 23 244 3,991 APC
26 Taraba Governor TR 16 168 3,597 PDP
27 Yobe Governor YB 17 178 2,823 APC
28 Zamfara Governor ZF 14 147 3,529 PDP
Total 608 6,868 143,134

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Annexure 4: Results of the Senatorial District Election

Results of the Senatorial District Election Held on 25th February 2023
State S/N Constituency Code No of No of RAs No of PUs Party
LGAs
Abia

1 North SD/001/AB 5 57 981 APC

2 Central SD/002/AB 6 62 1,374 LP
3 South SD/003/AB 6 65 1,707 APGA

Adamawa

4 North SD/004/AD 5 57 924 APC

5 South SD/005/AD 9 93 1,493 PDP
6 Central SD/006/AD 7 76 1,687 PDP
Akwa 7 North East SD/007/AK 9 94 1,571 PDP
Ibom 8 North West SD/008/AK 10 108 1,507 APC
9 South SD/009/AK 12 127 1,275 PDP
Anambra 10 North SD/010/AN 7 99 1,820 LP
11 Central SD/011/AN 7 117 1,966 LP
12 South SD/012/AN 7 110 1,934 YPP
Bauchi 13 South SD/013/BA 7 75 2,292 APC
14 Central SD/014/BA 6 63 1,455 PDP
15 North SD/015/BA 7 74 1,676 PDP
Bayelsa
16 East SD/016/BY 3 36 701 PDP
17 Central SD/017/BY 3 43 1,041 PDP
18 West SD/018/BY 2 26 502 PDP
Benue
19 North East SD/019/BN 7 84 1,844 APC
20 North West SD/020/BN 7 90 1,885 APC
21 South SD/021/BN 9 102 1,373 PDP
Borno 22 North SD/022/BO 10 115 1,076 APC
23 Central SD/023/BO 8 96 2,295 APC
24 South SD/024/BO 9 101 1,700 APC

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Cross 25 North SD/025/CR 5 51 874 PDP

River 26 Central SD/026/CR 6 66 1,050 APC
27 South SD/027/CR 7 76 1,357 APC
Delta 28 Central SD/028/DT 8 85 2,180 APC
29 North SD/029/DT 9 98 1,763 PDP
30 South SD/030/DT 8 87 1,920 APC
Ebonyi 31 North SD/031/EB 4 56 1,129 APC
32 Central SD/032/EB 4 58 947 APC
33 South SD/033/EB 5 57 870 APC
Edo 34 Central SD/034/ED 5 51 744 APC
35 North SD/035/ED 6 64 1,173 APC
36 South SD/036/ED 7 77 2,602 LP
Ekiti 37 North SD/037/EK 5 56 731 APC
38 Central SD/038/EK 5 57 966 APC
39 South SD/039/EK 6 64 748 APC
Enugu 40 East SD/040/EN 6 77 1,630 LP
41 West SD/041/EN 5 81 1,027 PDP
42 North SD/042/EN 6 102 1,488 LP
Gombe 43 Central SD/043/GM 2 22 869 APC
44 South SD/044/GM 4 40 825 PDP
45 North SD/045/GM 5 52 1,294 PDP
Imo 46 East SD/046/IM 9 104 2,005 LP
47 West SD/047/IM 12 137 1,907 APC
48 North SD/048/IM 6 64 846 APC
Jigawa 49 South West SD/049/JG 7 75 1,537 PDP
50 North East SD/050/JG 8 85 1,239 APC
51 North West SD/051/JG 12 127 1,746 APC
Kaduna 52 North SD/052/KD 8 87 2,699 PDP
53 Central SD/053/KD 7 81 3,356 PDP
54 South SD/054/KD 8 87 1,957 PDP
Kano 55 Central SD/055/KN 15 172 5,691 NNPP
56 North SD/056/KN 13 141 2,364 APC
57 South SD/057/KN 16 171 3,167 NNPP
Katsina 58 North SD/058/KT 12 128 1,984 APC
59 South SD/059/KT 11 117 2,409 APC
60 Central SD/060/KT 11 116 2,259 APC

421
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Kebbi 61 North SD/061/KB 6 65 1,224 PDP

62 Central SD/062/KB 8 89 1,473 PDP
63 South SD/063/KB 7 71 1,046 PDP
Kogi 64 Central SD/064/KG 5 57 902 APC
65 East SD/065/KG 9 97 1,714 APC
66 West SD/066/KG 7 85 892 APC
Kwara 67 North SD/067/KW 5 58 776 APC
68 Central SD/068/KW 4 52 1,204 APC
69 South SD/069/KW 7 83 907 APC
Lagos 70 Central SD/070/LA 5 62 2,738 APC
71 East SD/071/LA 5 71 2,798 APC
72 West SD/072/LA 10 112 7,789 APC
Nasarawa 73 North SD/073/NW 3 35 583 SDP
74 West SD/074/NW 5 59 1,432 SDP
75 South SD/075/NW 5 53 1,241 PDP
Niger 76 East SD/076/NG 9 99 2,053 APC
77 North SD/077/NG 81 87 1,436 APC
78 South SD/078/NG 8 88 1,461 PDP
Ogun 79 Central SD/079/OG 6 74 1,930 APC
80 East SD/080/OG 9 103 1,555 APC
81 West SD/081/OG 5 59 1,557 APC
Ondo 82 North SD/082/OD 6 72 1,024 APC
83 Central SD/083/OD 6 65 1,555 APC
84 South SD/084/OD 6 66 1,354 APC
Osun 85 Central SD/085/OS 10 116 1,332 PDP
86 East SD/086/OS 10 106 1,286 PDP
87 West SD/087/OS 10 110 1,145 PDP
Oyo 88 Central SD/088/OY 11 118 1,981 APC
89 North SD/089/OY 13 134 1,864 APC
90 South SD/090/OY 9 99 2,545 APC
Plateau 91 South SD/091/PL 6 68 1,348 PDP
92 Central SD/092/PL 5 66 1,375 APC
93 North SD/093/PL 6 73 2,266 PDP
Rivers 94 East SD/094/RV 8 117 3,504 PDP
95 South East SD/095/RV 7 88 1,629 PDP
96 West SD/096/RV 8 114 1,733 PDP

422
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Sokoto 97 East SD/097/SO 8 87 1,443 APC

98 North SD/098/SO 8 84 1,457 APC
99 South SD/099/SO 7 73 1,091 PDP
Taraba 100 South SD/100/TR 5 52 1,121 APC
101 Central SD/101/TR 5 54 1,233 PDP
102 North SD/102/TR 6 62 1,243 PDP
Yobe 103 East SD/103/YB 7 74 992 APC
104 North SD/104/YB 6 60 892 APC
105 South SD/105/YB 4 44 939 APC
Zamfara 106 North SD/106/ZF 4 42 871 APC
107 Central SD/107/ZF 4 43 1,437 PDP
108 West SD/108/ZF 6 62 1,221 APC
FCT 109 FCT SD/109/FCT 6 62 2,822 LP
Total 774 8,809 176,846

423
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Annexure 5: Results of the Federal Constituency Election Held on 25th February,

2023
Annexure 5: Results of the Federal Constituency Election Held on 25th February, 2023
No of Seats Per State S/N Constituency Code No of LGAs No of RAs No of PUs Party
Abia (8)

1 Aba North /Aba South FC/001/AB 2 24 1,021 LP

2 Arochukwu /Ohafia FC/002/AB 2 22 465 LP
3 Bende FC/003/AB 1 13 214 APC
4 Ikwuano /Umuahia North /Umuahia South FC/004/AB 2 20 379 LP
5 Isiala Ngwa North / South FC/005/AB 2 22 302 LP
6 Isuikwuato / Umuneochi FC/006/AB 3 31 773 LP
7 Obingwa /Osisioma / Ugwunagbo FC/007/AB 3 32 694 LP
8 Ukwa East /Ukwa West FC/008/AB 2 20 214 PDP
Adamawa (8)
9 Demsa /Lamurde / Numan FC/009/AD 3 30 499 PDP
10 Fufore /Song FC/010/AD 2 22 481 APC
11 Ganye /Jada /Mayo Belwa /Toungo FC/011/AD 4 43 720 PDP
12 Yola North /Yola South /Girei FC/012/AD 2 22 405 PDP
13 Gombi /Hong FC/013/AD 2 20 274 PDP
14 Guyuk /Shelleng FC/014/AD 2 26 383 PDP
15 Madagali /Michika FC/015/AD 3 31 541 PDP
16 Maiha /Mubi North / Mubi South FC/016/AD 3 32 801 PDP

424
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Akwa Ibom (10) 17 Abak /Etim Ekpo /Ika FC/017/AK 3 31 376 APC
18 Eket /Esit Eket /Ibeno /Onna FC/018/AK 4 43 511 PDP
19 Ikot Ekpene /Essien Udim /Obot Akara FC/019/AK 3 31 377 APC
20 Etinan /Nsit Ibom /Nsit Ubium FC/020/AK 2 21 281 PDP
21 Uyo /Uruan Insit Atai / Asutan /Ibesikpo FC/021/AK 3 34 313 PDP
22 Itu /Ibiono Ibom FC/022/AK 3 32 495 PDP
23 Ikono /Ini FC/023/AK 2 21 339 YPP
24 Ikot Abasi /Mkpat Enin /Eastern Obolo FC/024/AK 5 50 451 PDP
25 Mbo /Okobo /Oron / Udung Uko /Urue FC/025/AK 2 24 355 PDP
26 Ukanafun /Oruk Anam / FC/026/AK 4 42 855 PDP
27 Aguata FC/027/AN 2 25 405 APGA
Anambra (11) 28 Anambra East / Anambra West FC/028/AN 2 32 634 LP
29 Awka North /Awka South FC/029/AN 1 16 383 LP
30 Idemili North /Idemili South FC/030/AN 1 20 342 LP
31 Ihiala FC/031/AN 2 26 398 APGA
32 Njikoka /Dunukofia / Anaocha FC/032/AN 2 34 540 LP
33 Nnewi North /Nnewi South /Ekwusigo FC/033/AN 3 51 716 APGA
34 Ogbaru FC/034/AN 2 32 710 LP
35 Onitsha North / Onitsha South FC/035/AN 1 12 323 LP
36 Orumba North / Orumba South FC/036/AN 3 42 808 YPP
37 Oyi /Ayamelum FC/037/AN 2 36 461 APGA

425
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Bauchi (12) 38 Alkaleri /Kirfi FC/038/BA 2 21 454 APC

39 Bauchi FC/039/BA 1 12 894 PDP
40 Bogoro /Dass / Tafawa Balewa FC/040/BA 3 31 521 APC
41 Darazo /Ganjuwa FC/041/BA 1 11 423 PDP
42 Gamawa FC/042/BA 2 21 513 APC
43 Shira /Giade FC/043/BA 2 22 523 PDP
44 Jama'are Itas -Gadau FC/044/BA 2 20 419 APC
45 Katagum FC/045/BA 1 11 261 PDP
46 Misau /Dambam FC/046/BA 1 11 289 PDP
47 Ningi /Warji FC/047/BA 2 20 368 PDP
48 Toro FC/048/BA 2 21 394 APC
49 Zaki FC/049/BA 1 11 364 PDP
Bayelsa (5) 50 Brass /Nembe FC/050/BY 2 23 400 PDP
51 Ekeremor /Sagbama FC/051/BY 1 13 301 PDP
52 Yenagoa /Kolokuma Opokuma FC/052/BY 2 26 502 PDP
53 Ogbia FC/053/BY 1 17 466 PDP
54 Southern Jaw FC/054/BY 2 26 575 PDP
Benue (11) 55 Ado /Ogbadigbo / Okpokwu FC/055/BN 3 35 446 APC
56 Apa /Agatu FC/056/BN 2 21 236 PDP
57 Buruku FC/057/BN 1 13 240 APC
58 Gboko /Tarka FC/058/BN 2 27 571 APC
59 Guma /Makurdi FC/059/BN 2 21 762 APC
60 Gwer East /Gwer West FC/060/BN 2 29 312 APC
61 Katsina Ala /Ukum / Logo FC/061/BN 3 35 752 APC
62 Konshisha /Vandeikya FC/062/BN 2 23 426
540 APC
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

63 Kwande /Ushongo FC/063/BN 2 26 552 APC

64 Oju /Obi FC/064/BN 2 23 324 APC
65 Otukpo /Ohimini FC/065/BN 2 23 367 APC
Borno (10) 66 Kukawa /Mobbar / Abadam /Guzamala FC/066/BO 2 25 475 APC
67 Askira -Uba /Hawul FC/067/BO 3 36 559 PDP
68 Bama /Ngala /Kala-Balge FC/068/BO 4 42 614 APC
69 Biu /Kwaya Kusar / Shani /Bayo FC/069/BO 3 33 464 APC
70 Damboa /Gwoza/ Chibok FC/070/BO 3 34 611 APC
71 Dikwa /Mafa /Konduga FC/071/BO 3 38 329 APC
72 Jere FC/072/BO 3 37 338 APC
73 Kaga /Gubio / Magumeri FC/073/BO 4 40 409 APC
74 Maiduguri Metropolitan FC/074/BO 1 12 386 APC
75 Monguno /Nganzai / Marte FC/075/BO 1 15 886 APC
Cross River (8) 76 Yakurr /Abi FC/076/CR 2 23 315 APC
77 Akamkpa /Biase FC/077/CR 2 21 347 APC
78 Calabar South / Akpabuyo /Bakassi FC/078/CR 2 22 426 APC
79 Obanliku /Obudu / Bekwara FC/079/CR 3 32 516 PDP
80 Ikom /Boki FC/080/CR 2 23 494 APC
81 Calabar Municipal / Odukpani FC/081/CR 3 30 470 LP
82 Obubra /Etung FC/082/CR 2 21 309 APC
83 Ogoja /Yala FC/083/CR 2 21 404 PDP

427
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Delta (10) 84 Aniocha North / Aniocha South / FC/084/DT 4 42 827 LP

85 Bomadi /Patani FC/085/DT 2 20 291 PDP
86 Burutu FC/086/DT 2 22 440 PDP
87 Ethiope East /Ethiope West FC/087/DT 2 26 407 PDP
88 Ika North East /Ika South FC/088/DT 2 24 521 PDP
89 Isoko North /Isoko South FC/089/DT 3 30 529 PDP
90 Ndokwa East /Ndokwa West /Ukwuani FC/090/DT 3 31 831 PDP
91 Okpe /Sapele /Uvwie FC/091/DT 1 11 233 LP
92 Ughelli North / Ughelli South /Udu FC/092/DT 3 32 909 APC
93 Warri North /Warri South /Warri South West FC/093/DT 3 32 875 PDP
Ebonyi (6) 94 Abakaliki /Izzi FC/094/EB 2 28 533 APC
95 Afikpo North /Afikpo South FC/095/EB 2 28 596 PDP
96 Ebonyi /Ohaukwu FC/096/EB 2 27 450 APC
97 Ezza North /Ishielu FC/097/EB 2 31 497 APGA
98 Ezza South /Ikwo FC/098/EB 3 34 511 APC
99 Ivo /Ohaozara /Onicha FC/099/EB 2 23 359 LP
Edo (9) 100 Akoko Edo FC/100/ED 1 10 241 APC
101 Egor /Ikpoba Okha FC/101/ED 3 30 412 LP
102 Esan Central /Esan West /Igueben FC/102/ED 2 21 332 PDP
103 Esan North East / Esan South East FC/103/ED 3 32 592 APC
104 Etsako Central / Etsako East /Etsako West FC/104/ED 2 20 1,077 APC
105 Oredo FC/105/ED 1 12 619 LP
106 Orhionmwon / Uhunmwode FC/106/ED 2 22 419 APC
107 Ovia North East /Ovia South West FC/107/ED 2 23 487 APC
108 Owan East /Owan West FC/108/ED 2 22 340 APC
428
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Ekiti (6)
109 Ado Ekiti /Irepodun Ifelodun FC/109/EK 2 24 518 APC
110 Ijero /Ekiti West / Efon FC/110/EK 3 32 427 APC
111 Ekiti South West / Ikere /Ise Orun FC/111/EK 3 32 321 APC
112 Gbonyin /Ekiti East / Emure FC/112/EK 3 32 351 APC
113 Ido /Osi /Moba / Ilejemeje FC/113/EK 3 33 448 PC
114 Ikole /Oye FC/114/EK 2 24 380 APC
Enugu (8) 115 Aninri /Awgu /Oji River FC/115/EN 3 41 568 LP
116 Enugu East /Isi -Uzo FC/116/EN 2 23 545 LP
117 Enugu North /Enugu South FC/117/EN 2 26 714 LP
118 Ezeagu /Udi FC/118/EN 2 40 459 LP
119 Igbo -Etiti /Uzo -Uwani FC/119/EN 2 36 347 LP
120 Igbo -Eze North / Udenu FC/120/EN 2 30 531 LP
121 Nkanu East /Nkanu West FC/121/EN 2 28 371 PDP
122 Nsukka /Igbo -Eze South FC/122/EN 2 36 610 LP
Gombe (6) 123 Akko FC/123/GM 1 11 468 APC
124 Balanga /Billiri FC/124/GM 1 20 456 PDP
125 Dukku /Nafada FC/125/GM 2 21 391 PDP
126 Gombe /Kwami / Funakaye FC/126/GM 3 31 903 PDP
127 Kaltungo /Shongom FC/127/GM 2 20 369 PDP
128 Yamaltu /Deba FC/128/GM 2 11 401 PDP

429
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Imo (10) 129 Abo -Mbaise /Ngor Okpala FC/129/IM 3 31 399 LP

130 Ahiazu Mbaise / Ezinihitte FC/130/IM 3 33 447 PDP
131 Ehime Mbano /Ihite Uboma /Obowo FC/131/IM 2 27 348 PDP
132 Ideato North /Ideato South FC/132/IM 4 43 501 PDP
133 Ikeduru /Mbaitoli FC/133/IM 3 33 541 APC
134 Isiala Mbano /Okigwe / Onuimo FC/134/IM 3 34 517 APC
135 Isu /Njaba /Nkwere / Nwangele FC/135/IM 2 23 405 PDP
136 Oguta /Ohaji -Egbema / Oru West FC/136/IM 2 24 360 APC
137 Oru East /Orsu /Orlu FC/137/IM 2 24 514 APC
138 Owerri Municipal / Owerri North /Owerri West FC/138/IM 3 33 726 LP
Jigawa (11) 139 Babura /Garki FC/139/JG 2 22 386 APC
140 Birnin Kudu /Buji FC/140/JG 2 21 439 PDP
141 Birniwa /Guri /Kiri Kasama FC/141/JG 3 31 410 APC
142 Dutse /Kiyawa FC/142/JG 2 22 455 PDP
143 Gumel /Maigatari /Sule Tankarkar /Gagarawa FC/143/JG 1 11 298 APC
144 Gwaram FC/144/JG 4 42 520 NNPP
145 Kazaure /Roni /Gwiwa /Yankwashi FC/145/JG 3 32 514 APC
146 Hadejia /Kafin Hausa /Auyo FC/146/JG 2 21 345 APC
147 Jahun /Miga FC/147/JG 2 22 315 APC
148 Mallam Madori / Kaugama FC/148/JG 4 43 443 APC
149 Ringim /Taura FC/149/JG 2 20 397 APC

430
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Kaduna (16) 150 Birnin Gwari /Giwa FC/150/KD 1 12 704 APC

151 Chikun /Kajuru FC/151/KD 1 13 584 LP
152 Igabi FC/152/KD 1 11 298 PDP
153 Ikara /Kubau FC/153/KD 1 12 600 PDP
154 Jaba /Zangon Kataf FC/154/KD 2 21 561 PDP
155 Jema'a /Sanga FC/155/KD 2 20 401 PDP
156 Kachia /Kagarko FC/156/KD 1 11 457 PDP
157 Kaduna North FC/157/KD 2 22 539 APC
158 Kaduna South FC/158/KD 2 22 731 PDP
159 Kaura FC/159/KD 2 23 520 LP
160 Kauru FC/160/KD 2 22 525 PDP
161 Lere FC/161/KD 1 11 398 APC
162 Makarfi /Kudan FC/162/KD 1 13 796 PDP
163 Sabon Gari FC/163/KD 1 10 186 PDP
164 Soba FC/164/KD 1 11 243 PDP
165 Zaria FC/165/KD 2 21 469 APC
Kano (24) 166 Alabsu /Gaya /Ajingi FC/166/KN 3 30 566 NNPP
167 Bebeji /Kiru FC/167/KN 2 20 337 NNPP
168 Bichi FC/168/KN 2 29 407 APC
169 Dala FC/169/KN 1 11 277 NNPP
170 Dambatta /Makoda FC/170/KN 3 30 497 APC
171 Dawakin Tofa /Tofa / Rimin Gado FC/171/KN 1 12 668 NNPP

431
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

172 Dawakin -Kudu / Warawa FC/172/KN 1 10 450 NNPP

173 Doguwa /Tudun Wada FC/173/KN 2 21 382 APC
174 Fagge FC/174/KN 2 30 446 NNPP
175 Gezawa /Gabasawa FC/175/KN 3 38 507 NNPP
176 Gwale FC/176/KN 2 21 430 NNPP
177 Gwarzo /Kabo FC/177/KN 2 22 393 APC
178 Kano Municipal FC/178/KN 2 20 398 NNPP
179 Karaye /Rogo FC/179/KN 1 13 630 NNPP
180 Kumbotso FC/180/KN 1 10 425 NNPP
181 Kura /Madobi /Garun Mallam FC/181/KN 2 20 389 NNPP
182 Minjibir /Ungogo FC/182/KN 1 11 410 NNPP
183 Nassarawa FC/183/KN 3 32 539 NNPP
184 Rano /Bunkure /Kibiya FC/184/KN 1 11 817 NNPP
185 Shanono /Bagwai FC/185/KN 1 10 521 APC
186 Sumaila /Takai FC/186/KN 2 21 472 NNPP
187 Tarauni FC/187/KN 2 22 556 NNPP
188 Tsanyawa /Kunchi FC/188/KN 2 20 299 APC
189 Wudil /Garko FC/189/KN 2 20 406 NNPP
Katsina (15) 190 Bakori /Danja FC/190/KT 2 21 434 PDP
191 Batagarawa /Charanchi /Rimi FC/191/KT 3 30 505 APC
192 Batsari /Safana / Danmusa FC/192/KT 3 32 552 PDP
193 Bindawa /Mani FC/193/KT 2 22 376 APC

432
 194 Daura /Sandamu / Mai'adua FC/194/KT 3 32 516 APC
195 Dutsin -Ma /Kurfi FC/195/KT 2 21 349 APC
196 Faskari /Kankara / Sabuwa FC/196/KT 3 31 612 PDP
197 Funtua /Dandume FC/197/KT 2 22 475 APC
198 Ingawa /Kankia / Kusada FC/198/KT 3 31 441 APC
199 Jibia /Kaita FC/199/KT 2 21 352 APC
200 Katsina FC/200/KT 2 22 595 PDP
201 Malumfashi /Kafur FC/201/KT 1 12 501 APC
202 Mashi /Dutsi FC/202/KT 2 21 304 PDP
203 Matazu /Musawa FC/203/KT 2 21 293 APC
204 Zango /Baure FC/204/KT 2 22 347 APC
Kebbi (8) 205 Aleiro /Gwandu /Jega FC/205/KB 2 22 404 PDP
206 Arewa /Dandi FC/206/KB 2 21 387 APC
207 Argungu /Augie FC/207/KB 2 22 433 PDP
208 Bagudo /Suru FC/208/KB 3 35 630 APC
209 Bunza /Birnin Kebbi / Kalgo FC/209/KB 3 31 480 PDP
210 Fakai /Sakaba / Wasagu Danko /Zuru FC/210/KB 2 23 363 APC
211 Koko Besse /Maiyama FC/211/KB 4 41 636 PDP
212 Ngaski /Shanga /Yauri FC/212/KB 3 30 410 APC
Kogi (9) 213 Adavi /Okehi FC/213/KG 2 22 405 APC
214 Ajaokuta FC/214/KG 3 34 614 APC
215 Okene /Ogori -Magongo FC/215/KG 2 22 482 APC
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

216 Ankpa /Omala / Olamaboro FC/216/KG 4 41 618 APC

217 Bassa /Dekina FC/217/KG 2 30 277 APC
218 Idah /Igalamela Odulu /Ibaji /Ofu FC/218/KG 1 14 146 APC
219 Ijumu /Kabba Bunu FC/219/KG 2 21 378 ADC
220 Lokoja /Kogi Koton Karfe FC/220/KG 2 21 351 APC
221 Yagba East /Yagbawest /Mopa Muro FC/221/KG 3 34 237 ADC
Kwara (6)
222 Baruten /Kaiama FC/222/KW 2 21 354 APC
223 Edu /Patigi /Moro FC/223/KW 3 37 422 APC
224 Ekiti /Isin /Irepodun / Oke -Ero FC/224/KW 4 42 390 APC
225 Ifelodun /Offa /Oyun FC/225/KW 2 23 595 APC
226 Ilorin East /Ilorin South FC/226/KW 2 29 609 APC
227 Ilorin West /Asa FC/227/KW 3 41 517 APC
Lagos (24) 228 Eti -Osa FC/228/LA 1 11 696 LP
229 Apapa FC/229/LA 1 11 761 APC
230 Lagos Islandi FC/230/LA 1 11 1,545 APC
231 Lagos Island II FC/231/LA 11 412 APC
232 Lagos Mainland FC/232/LA 1 19 374 APC
233 Surulere I FC/233/LA 1 11 227 APC
234 Surulere II FC/234/LA 10 725 APC
235 Epe FC/235/LA 1 10 374 APC
236 Ibeju Lekki FC/236/LA 1 10 667 APC

434
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

237 Ikorodu FC/237/LA 1 19 682 APC

238 Shomolu FC/238/LA 1 10 207 APC
239 Kosofe FC/239/LA 1 9 182 APC
240 Agege FC/240/LA 1 11 493 APC
241 Ifako -Ijaiye FC/241/LA 1 8 303 APC
242 Alimosho FC/242/LA 1 6 562 APC
243 Badagry FC/243/LA 1 11 582 APC
244 Ikeja FC/244/LA 1 11 637 APC
245 Mushini FC/245/LA 1 11 734 APC
246 Mushin II FC/246/LA 5 365 APC
247 Ojo FC/247/LA 1 6 525 LP
248 Amuwo -Odofin FC/248/LA 1 12 616 LP
249 Ajeromi /Ifelodun FC/249/LA 1 10 899 APC
250 Oshodi /Isolo I FC/250/LA 1 6 258 LP
251 Oshodi /Isolo II FC/251/LA 6 499 LP
Nasarawa (5) 252 Akwanga /Nassarawa Eggon /Wamba FC/252/NW 3 35 583 APC
253 Awe /Doma /Keana FC/253/NW 3 30 493 APC
254 Keffi /Karu /Kokona FC/254/NW 3 32 925 SDP
255 Lafia /Obi FC/255/NW 2 23 748 SDP
256 Nassarawa /Toto FC/256/NW 2 27 507 APC

435
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Niger (10) 257 Agaie /Lapai FC/257/NG 2 21 357 APC

258 Agwara /Borgu FC/258/NG 2 20 278 APC
259 Bida /Gbako /Katcha FC/259/NG 3 34 575 APC
260 Booso /Paikoro FC/260/NG 2 21 481 APC
261 Chanchaga FC/261/NG 1 11 379 PDP
262 Gurara /Suleja /Tafa FC/262/NG 3 30 598 PDP
263 Kontagora /Wushishi / Mariga /Mashegu FC/263/NG 3 33 529 APC
264 Lavun /Mokwa /Edati FC/264/NG 2 22 367 PDP
265 Magama /Rijau FC/265/NG 4 45 791 APC
266 Shiroro /Rafi /Munya FC/266/NG 3 37 595 APC
Ogun (9) 267 Abeokuta North Obafemi Owode /Odeda FC/267/OG 3 38 849 APC
268 Abeokuta South FC/268/OG 1 15 445 APC
269 Ado -Odo Ota FC/269/OG 1 16 655 APC
270 Egbado North /Imeko Afon FC/270/OG 2 21 383 APC
271 Egbado South /Ipokia FC/271/OG 2 22 519 APC
272 Ifo \Ewekoro FC/272/OG 2 21 636 APC
273 Ijebu North /Ijebu East /Ogun Waterside FC/273/OG 3 32 548 APC
274 Ijebu Ode /Odogbolu /Ijebu North East FC/274/OG 3 36 450 APC
275 Ikenne /Shagamu /Remo North FC/275/OG 3 35 557 APC
Ondo (9) 276 Akoko North East / Akoko North West FC/276/OD 2 23 329 APC
277 Akoko South East / Akoko South West FC/277/OD 2 26 279 APC
278 Akure North /Akure South FC/278/OD 2 23 753 APC
279 Ese -Odo /Ilaje FC/279/OD 2 20 335 APC
280 Idanre /Ifedore FC/280/OD 2 21 495 PDP
436
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

281 Ileoluji /Okeigbo /Odigbo FC/281/OD 2 23 424 APC

282 Irele /Okitipupa FC/282/OD 2 22 435 APC
283 Ondo East /Ondo West FC/283/OD 2 22 467 APC
284 Owo /Ose FC/284/OD 2 23 416 APC
Osun (9) 285 Atakumosa East /Atakumosa West / Ilesa East / FC/285/OS 4 47 693 PDP
Ilesa West
286 Ayedaade /Irewole / Isokan FC/286/OS 3 38 378 PDP
287 Ayedire /Iwo /Ola Oluwa FC/287/OS 3 31 261 PDP
288 Boluwaduro /Ifedayo /Ila FC/288/OS 4 42 406 PDP
289 Ede North /Ede South /Egbedore /Ejigbo FC/289/OS 2 22 223 PDP
290 Ife Central /Ife North /Ife South /Ife East FC/290/OS 4 42 657 PDP
291 Irepodun /Orolu /Olorunda /Osogbo FC/291/OS 3 35 299 PDP
292 Obokun /Oriade FC/292/OS 4 33 383 PDP
293 Odo -Otin /Ifelodun / Boripe FC/293/OS 3 42 463 PDP
Oyo (14) 294 Afijio /Oyo East /Oyo West /Atiba FC/294/OY 4 40 551 APC
295 Akinyele /Lagelu FC/295/OY 2 26 503 APC
296 Egbeda /Ona -Ara FC/296/OY 2 22 444 APC
297 Ibadan North FC/297/OY 2 20 288 APC
298 Ibadan North East / Ibadan South East FC/298/OY 2 20 344 PDP
299 Ibadan South West / Ibadan North West FC/299/OY 3 32 485 PDP
300 Ibarapa Central / Ibarapa North FC/300/OY 3 30 262 PDP
301 Ibarapa East /Ido FC/301/OY 4 42 578 APC

437
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

302 Irepo /Orelope / Olorunsogo FC/302/OY 3 30 539 APC

303 Iseyin /Itesiwaju /Kajola /Iwajowa FC/303/OY 2 20 254 PDP
304 Ogbomoso North / Ogbomosho South / Orire FC/304/OY 1 10 229 APC
305 Ogo -Oluwa /Surulere FC/305/OY 2 24 688 PDP
306 Oluyole FC/306/OY 2 23 713 APC
307 Saki East /Saki West / Atisbo FC/307/OY 1 12 512 APC
Plateau (8) 308 Barkin Ladi /Riyom FC/308/PL 2 30 1,209 PDP
309 Bokkos /Mangu FC/309/PL 2 22 675 APC
310 Jos North /Bassa FC/310/PL 2 21 382 PDP
311 Jos South /Jos East FC/311/PL 2 30 645 PDP
312 Kanke /Pankshin /Kanam FC/312/PL 3 36 730 APC
313 Langtang North / Langtang South FC/313/PL 1 12 277 PDP
314 Mikang /Qua -Anpan /Shedam FC/314/PL 2 24 352 PDP
315 Wase FC/315/PL 3 32 719 APC
Rivers (13) 316 Abua Odual /Ahoada East FC/316/RV 2 26 390 PDP
317 Ahoada West /Ogba Egbema Ndoni FC/317/RV 2 29 506 PDP
318 Akuku Toru /Asari Toru FC/318/RV 2 29 342 PDP
319 Andoni /Opobo Nkoro FC/319/RV 2 30 495 PDP
320 Bonny /Degema FC/320/RV 2 24 301 PDP
321 Eleme /Oyigbo /Tai FC/321/RV 2 22 419 PDP
322 Emohua /Ikwerre FC/322/RV 3 30 591 PDP
323 Etche /Omuma FC/323/RV 2 36 619 PDP

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324 Gokana /Khana FC/324/RV 2 27 593 PDP

325 Obio Akpor FC/325/RV 2 29 438 PDP
326 Okrika /Ogu Bolo FC/326/RV 1 17 1,211 APC
327 Port Harcourt I FC/327/RV 1 10 584 LP
328 Port Harcourt II FC/328/RV 10 377 PDP
Sokoto (11) 329 Binji /Silame FC/329/SO 2 21 378 APC
330 Bodinga /Dange Shuni /Tureta FC/330/SO 2 22 411 APC
331 Goronyo /Gada FC/331/SO 2 22 258 PDP
332 Tangaza /Gudu FC/332/SO 2 22 396 APC
333 Illela /Gwadabawa FC/333/SO 2 20 229 APC
334 Isa /Sabon Birnin FC/334/SO 2 20 186 APC
335 Kebbe /Tambuwal FC/335/SO 2 22 412 PDP
336 Kware /Wamakko FC/336/SO 2 22 630 APC
337 Wurno Rabah FC/337/SO 3 32 457 APC
338 Yabo /Shagari FC/338/SO 2 20 262 PDP
339 Sokoto North / Sokoto South FC/339/SO 2 21 372 APC
Taraba (6) 340 Karim Lamido Lau /Ardo-Kola FC/340/TR 2 23 596 PDP
341 Bali /Gassol FC/341/TR 3 32 602 PDP
342 Takum /Donga /Ussa FC/342/TR 3 31 637 APC
343 Sardauna /Kurmi /Gashaka FC/343/TR 2 20 519 APC
344 Ibi /Wukari FC/344/TR 3 31 658 APC
345 Jalingo /Yorro /Zing FC/345/TR 3 31 585 PDP

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Yobe (6) 346 Bade /Jakusko FC/346/YB 2 20 371 PDP

347 Bursari /Geidam / Yunusari FC/347/YB 3 31 416 APC
348 Damaturu /Gujba / Gulani /Tarmuwa FC/348/YB 4 43 576 APC
349 Fika /Fune FC/349/YB 2 23 442 PDP
350 Machina /Nguru / Yusufari /Karasuwa FC/350/YB 4 40 521 APC
351 Nangere /Potiskum FC/351/YB 2 21 497 APC
Zamfara (7) 352 Anka /Talata Mafara FC/352/ZF 2 21 448 APC
353 Bakura /Maradun FC/353/ZF 2 21 423 APC
354 Bungudu /Maru FC/354/ZF 2 22 865 APC
355 Gummi /Bukkuyum FC/355/ZF 2 21 572 PDP
356 Gusau /Tsafe FC/356/ZF 2 21 423 PDP
357 Kaura -Namoda /Birnin Magaji FC/357/ZF 2 20 384 APC
358 Shinkafi /Zurmi FC/358/ZF 2 21 414 PDP
FCT (2) 359 Abaji/Gwagwalada/Kwali/Kuje FC/359/FCT 4 40 1,220 LP
360 Municipal/Bwari FC/360/FCT 2 22 1,602 LP
Total 774 8,809 176,846

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Annexure 6: Results of the State Constituency Election

State/ No. of S/N Constituency Code Name of Elected Candidate Political Gender Remarks
Seats Party
Abia 1 Aba North SC/01/AB Nwagwu Destiny Akarka LP M Elected

24 2 Aba South SC/02/AB Emeruwa Emmanuel Ihuoma LP M Elected

3 Aba Central SC/03/AB Ucheonye S. Akachukwu LP M Elected
4 Arochukwu SC/04/AB Okoro Uchenna Kalu LP M Elected
5 Bende North SC/05/AB Ibekwe Chimdi Nnamdi PDP M Elected
6 Bende South SC/06/AB Ndubuisi Emmanuel Chinedu PDP M Elected
7 Ikwuano SC/07/AB Isienyi Boniface Ndionyenma LP M Elected
8 Isiala Ngwa North SC/08/AB Iheonunekwu U. Collins PDP M Elected
9 Isiala Ngwa South SC/09/AB Dennis Rowland Chinwendu PDP M Elected
10 Isuikwuato SC/10/AB Nweke-Johnson Lucky Udoka PDP M Elected
11 Obingwa East SC/11/AB Akpulonu Chijioke Solomon PDP M Elected
12 Obingwa West SC/12/AB Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jnr. PDP M Elected
13 Ohafia North SC/13/AB Obasi Egwuronu Ochuru PDP M Elected
14 Ohafia South SC/14/AB Nwoke Kalu Mba LP M Elected
15 Osisioma North SC/15/AB Nwogu Iheanacho YPP M Elected
16 Osisioma South SC/16/AB Ahuama Fyne Onyekachi YPP M Elected
17 Ugwunaagbo SC/18/AB Uruakpa Chijioke PDP M Elected
18 Ukwa East SC/19/AB Obianyi Lewis Chinemerem PDP M Elected

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

19 Ukwa West /SC/20AB Adiele Godwin Anyamagiobi PDP M

20 Umuahia East SC/21/AB Okezie Augustine LP M Elected
21 Umuahia North SC/22/AB Akaliro K. Anderson LP M Elected
22 Umuahia Central SC/23/AB Anthony Chinasa Abiola LP M Elected
23 Umuahia South SC/24/AB Obioma Emeka M Elected
24 Umunneochi SC/17/AB Ume Mathias Nwankwo LP M Elected
Adamawa 25 Yola South SC/25/AD Minjinyawa Kabiru APC M Elected
25 26 Yola North SC/26/AD Umar Suleiman Alkali APC M Elected
27 Mubi North SC/27/AD Paul Samuel APC M Elected
28 Mubi South SC/28/AD Sahabo Yohanna Jauro APC M Elected
29 Demsa SC/29/AD Mamuno Raymond Kate PDP F Elected
30 Numan SC/30/AD Mackondo P. Mikelson PDP M Elected
31 Lamurde SC/31/AD Bauna Pawikai Myandasa PDP M Elected
32 Song SC/32/AD Kefas Emmanuel PDP M Elected
33 Girei SC/33/AD Abubakar Abdullahi PDP M Elected
34 Ganye SC/34/AD Musa Abdulmalik Jauro APC M Elected
35 Toungo SC/35/AD Calvin Kefas PDP M Elected
36 Koma/Leko (Jada I) SC/36/AD Geofrey Bulus PDP M Elected
37 Jada/Mbulo (Jada Ii) SC/37/AD Buba Mohammed Jidjiwa PDP M Elected
38 Fufore/Gurin (Fufore I) SC/38/AD Umar Bobbo Ismaila APC M Elected
39 Verre (Fufore Ii) SC/39/AD Hammajabu Japhet PDP M Elected
40 Uba/Gaya (Hong I) SC/40/AD Adum Hyellapaburi John PDP M Elected
41 Hong (Hong Ii) SC/41/AD Wesley Bathiya PDP M Elected

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42 Nassarawo/Binyeri (Mayo SC/42/AD Njidda B. Mohammed APC M Elected

Belwa I)
43 Mayo-Belwa (Mayo Belwa Ii) SC/43/AD Musa Ibrahim APC M Elected
44 Gombi SC/44/AD Kefas Japhet PDP M Elected
45 Shelleng SC/45/AD Bulus Kantomon Napthali PDP M Elected
46 Madagali SC/46/AD Jilantikiri Haruna PDP M Elected
47 Maiha SC/47/AD Jingi Belel Ahmed PDP M Elected
48 Michika SC/48/AD Yerima Moses PDP M Elected
49 Guyuk SC/49/AD Peter Sunday APC M Elected
Akwa Ibom 50 Abak SC/50/AK Otong Udeme James PDP M Elected
26 51 Eket SC/51/AK Akata Nsidibe Inyang PDP M Elected
52 Essien Udim SC/52/AK Akpabio Ukpong Udo PDP M Elected
53 Esit Eket/Ibeno SC/53/AK Udo Udobia Friday PDP M Elected
54 Etim Ekpo/Ika SC/54/AK Idung Mfon Frank PDP M Elected
55 Etinan SC/55/AK Ekpo-Ufot Uduak –Obong Abel PDP M Elected
56 Ibesikpo Asutan SC/56/AK Attah Ubong Essien PDP M Elected
57 Ibiono Ibom SC/57/AK Essien Moses Edet YPP M Elected
58 Ikono SC/58/AK Udo Asuquo Nana YPP M Elected
59 Ikot Abasi/ Eastern Obolo SC/59/AK Ukpatu Uselina Isotuk PDP F Elected
60 Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara SC/60/AK Uto Jerry Anson Uduak PDP M Elected
61 Ini SC/61/AK Udoide Lawrence Ofonmbuk PDP M Elected
62 Itu SC/62/AK Edidem Kufreabasi PDP M Elected
63 Mbo SC/63/AK Johnson Effiong Etim PDP M Elected
64 Mkpat Enin SC/64/AK Imoh-Itah Uwem Peter PDP M Elected

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65 Nsit Atai SC/65/AK Attah Prince-Aniefiok Okon PDP M Elected

66 Nsit Ibom SC/66/AK Akpan Eric Effiong PDP M Elected
67 Nsit Ubium SC/67/AK Bob Otobong Effiong PDP M Elected
68 Okobo SC/68/AK Bassey Bassey Pius PDP M Elected
69 Onna SC/69/AK Jonny Sunday Udofot PDP M Elected
70 Oron/Udung Uko SC/70/AK Onofiok Kenim Victor PDP M Elected
71 Oruk Anam SC/71/AK Idiong Samson Bernard PDP M Elected
72 Ukanafun SC/72/AK Udom Emem Etokabasi PDP M Elected
73 Uruan SC/73/AK Etim Itorobong Francis PDP F Elected
74 Urue Offong/Oruko SC/74/AK Selong Precious Akamba PDP F Elected
75 Uyo SC/75/AK Asuquo U. Dianabasi PDP M Elected
Anambra 76 Aguata I SC/76/AN Okpalaeke Emmanuel Anayo APGA M Elected
30 77 Aguata Ii SC/77/AN Muobike Anthony Ifedili APGA M Elected
78 Anambra East SC/78/AN Nweke Obi Callistus APGA M Elected
79 Anambra West SC/79/AN Udoba Patrick Obalum APGA M Elected
80 Anaocha I SC/80/AN Ogbuefi Felicitas LP F Elected
81 Anaocha Ii SC/81/AN Okechukwu Ejike Aloy APGA M Elected
82 Awka North SC/82/AN Ikwunne Chimezie John Mark APGA M Elected
83 Awka South I SC/83/AN Mbachu Nigeria Henry LP M Elected
84 Awka South Ii SC/84/AN Okoye Chukwuma Pius APGA M Elected
85 Idemili South SC/85/AN Igwe Chukwuebuka Nnadozie APGA M Elected
86 Idemili North SC/86/AN Udemezue K. A. Tochukwu LP M Elected
87 Ihiala I SC/87/AN Ngobili Jude Chimezie APGA M Elected

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 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

88 Ihiala Ii SC/88/AN Iloh Chukwuebuka Golden L. APGA M Elected

89 Njikoka I SC/89/AN Ibemeka Chidiebele Nnamdi APGA M Elected
90 Njikoka Ii SC/90/AN Akpua Jude Ejikeme APGA M Elected
91 Nnewi North SC/91/AN Ike Augustine Onyekachukwu YPP M Elected
92 Nnewi South I SC/92/AN Atuchukwu Nonso C. YPP M Elected
93 Nnewi South Ii SC/93/AN Akaegbobi J. Nwabugwu YPP M Elected
94 Ekwusigo SC/94/AN Ofodeme Ikenna Sylvester APGA M Elected
95 Ogbaru I SC/95/AN Igwe C. Noble - Obumneme PDP M Elected
96 Ogbaru Ii SC/96/AN Udeze S. Nkemakolam PDP M Elected
97 Ayamelum SC/97/AN Udemezue Bernard Abuchi PDP M Elected
98 Dunukofia SC/98/AN Azotani Francis Chuks APGA M Elected
99 Onitsha North I SC/99/AN Egbuna Douglas Nwachukwu PDP M Elected
100 Onitsha North Ii SC/100/AN Okafor Patrick Emmanuel C. LP M Elected
101 Onitsha South I SC/101/AN Ezenwa Fredrick Chigozie LP M Elected
102 Onitsha South Ii SC/102/AN Umennajiego Jude Ifeanyi LP M Elected
103 Orumba North SC/103/AN Obu Paul Chukwuka LP M Elected
104 Orumba South SC/104/AN Nwafor Emmanuel Obinna APGA M Elected
105 Oyi SC/105/AN Ojike Innocent APGA M Elected
Bauchi 106 Pali (Alkaleri I) SC/106/BA Garba Aminu APC M Elected
31 107 Duguri/Gwana (Alkaleri Ii) SC/107/BA Abdullahi Dan Bala PDP M Elected
108 Kirfi SC/108/BA Umar Habibu PDP M Elected
109 Bauchi (Bauchi I) SC/109/BA Umaru Dahiru Jamilu PDP M Elected
110 Zungur/Galambi (Bauchi Ii) SC/110/BA Yusuf Saidu Ahmed PDP M Elected

445
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

111 Dass SC/111/BA Abdullahi Ahmed PDP M Elected

112 Lere/Bula (Tafawa/Balewa) SC/112/BA Mu’azu Abdulrasheed Adamu APC M Elected
113 Bogoro SC/113/BA Wakili Musa Nakwada PDP M Elected
114 Jama’a/Toro (Toro Ii) SC/114/BA Saidu Hamza PDP M Elected
115 Warji SC/115/BA Lawal Garba PDP M Elected
116 Lame (Toro I) SC/116/BA Abdu Bala Rishi APC M Elected
117 Ningi (Ningi I) SC/117/BA Yakubu Sulaiman Abubakar PDP M Elected
118 Burra (Ningi Ii) SC/118/BA Tanko Ibrahim Burra PDP M Elected
119 Chiroma (Misau I) SC/119/BA Yahaya Ahmed, Maikudi APC M Elected
120 Hardawa (Misau Ii) SC/120/BA Babayo Mohammed Akuyam PDP M Elected
121 Dambam/Dagauda/ Jalam SC/121/BA Muhammmed Ahmed Garba PDP M Elected
122 Darazo (Darazo I) SC/122/BA Suleiman Saidu, Darazo APC M Elected
123 Sade (Darazo Ii) SC/123/BA Dauda Lawal APC M Elected
124 Ganjuwa East SC/124/BA Ladan Mohammed PDP M Elected
125 Ganjuwa West SC/125/BA Adamu Garba Kawu PDP M Elected
126 Katagum (Katagum I) SC/126/BA Bello Muhammad Maiwa PDP M Elected
127 Sakwa (Zaki I) SC/127/BA Wanzam Mohammed PDP M Elected
128 Jama’are SC/128/BA Mubarak Haruna NNPP M Elected
129 Itas/Gadau SC/129/BA Abdullahi Yusuf Itas PDP M Elected
130 Shira I (Disina) SC/130/BA Hodi Sale Jibir PDP M Elected
131 Shira Ii (Shira) SC/131/BA Hassan Auwal PDP M Elected
132 Giade SC/132/BA Adamu Salihu Abubakar PDP M Elected
133 Azare (Zaki Ii) SC/133/BA Saleh Zakariyya APC M Elected

446
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

134 Madara/Chinade (Katagum II) SC/134/BA Ala Nasiru Ahmed PDP M Elected
135 Udubo (Gamawa I) SC/135/BA Lele Ahmed, Mohammed APC M Elected
136 Gamawa (Gamawa II) SC/136/BA Sarkin Jadori Bello PDP M Elected
Bayelsa 137 Brass I SC/137/BY Charles Daniel PDP M Elected
24 138 Brass II SC/138/BY Omubo Ayona Timinyo APC M
139 Brass III SC/139/BY Ingobere Abraham PDP M Elected
140 Nembe I SC/140/BY George-Braah Oteigbanyo APGA M Elected
141 Nembe II SC/141/BY Edward Irigha Brigidi APC M Elected
142 Nembe III SC/142/BY Douglas Sampson APC M Elected
143 Ogbia I SC/143/BY Ibegu Arikpawabai Richard PDP M Elected
144 Ogbia II SC/144/BY Obein Godknows APC M Elected
145 Ogbia III SC/145/BY Ogbara Gabriel Michael PDP M Elected
146 Kolokuma/ Opokuma I SC/146/BY Werinipre Pamoh PDP M Elected
147 Kolokuma/ Opokuma II SC/147/BY Fafi Wisdom PDP M Elected
148 Yenagoa I SC/148/BY Egba Ayibanegiyefa PDP F Elected
149 Yenagoa II SC/149/BY Amakoromo Waikumo APGA M Elected
150 Yenagoa III SC/150/BY Elemeforo Teddy Tonbara PDP M Elected
151 Ekeremor I SC/151/BY Porri Tare PDP M Elected
152 Ekeremor II SC/152/BY Mitin Living Ebibaekebena PDP M Elected
153 Ekeremor III SC/153/BY Ogbere M. Pere-Otukefie PDP M Elected
154 Sagbama I SC/154/BY Oyinke G. Nanatumieyeseigha PDP M Elected
155 Sagbama Ii SC/155/BY Kenebai Bernard Sunday PDP M Elected
156 Sagbama III SC/156/BY Cockeve Brown E. Rosemary PDP F Elected

447
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

157 Southern Ijaw I SC/157/BY Ayah Bonny Felix Eniekiokori PDP M Elected
158 Southern Ijaw II SC/158/BY Mondsy-Bubou Edwin Obolo PDP M Elected
159 Southern Ijaw III SC/159/BY Marlon Moses PDP M Elected
160 Southern Ijaw IV SC/160/BY Ben Selekaye Victor APC M Elected
Benue 161 Ado SC/161/BN Danladi Lami APC F Elected
32 162 Agbatu SC/162/BN Edoh Godwin Abuh PDP M Elected
163 Apa SC/163/BN Umoru Abu James PDP M Elected
164 Buruku SC/164/BN Jabi Abraham Zahemen APC M Elected
165 Gboko I (East) SC/165/BN Orpin Bekie Torkwase APC F Elected
166 Gboko West SC/166/BN Dajoh Hyacinth Aodona APC M Elected
167 Guma (Guma I) SC/167/BN Ortese Marccellinus Yanmar APC M Elected
168 Agasha (Guma II) SC/168/BN Ortyom William Mkange PDP M Elected
169 Gwer East SC/169/BN Audu Elias Terumbur APC M Elected
170 Gwer West SC/170/BN Gyikla Solomon Terlumun PDP M Elected
171 Katsina Ala East SC/171/BN Agbudyen Jonathan Akule APC M Elected
172 Katsina-Ala West SC/172/BN Ipusu Peter Bemdoo APC M Elected
173 Konshisha I (Gaav) SC/173/BN Dyako Cephas Tarvershima LP M Elected
174 Kwande East SC/174/BN Matu Anyor Samuel APC M Elected
175 Kwande West SC/175/BN Dugeri Thomas Terzungwe APC M Elected
176 Logo SC/176/BN Jiji Samuel Shimapever PDP M Elected
177 Makurdi I (North) SC/177/BN Emberga Alfred Aondoaver APC M Elected
178 Makurdi South SC/178/BN Akya Terkume APC M Elected
179 Obi SC/179/BN Egbodo Moses PDP M Elected

448
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

180 Ogbadibo SC/180/BN Agada Ismail Samuel APC M Elected

181 Ohimini SC/181/BN Ochekliye Agbo Isaac PDP M Elected
182 Oju I SC/182/BN Onah Blessed Emmanuel PDP M Elected
183 Oju II SC/183/BN Ikong Ijebe Cyril APC M Elected
184 Okpokwu SC/184/BN Agiom Attah Anthony PDP M Elected
185 Otukpo/Akpa SC/185/BN Angbo Kennedy Agbogo APC M Elected
186 Adoka/Ugboju SC/186/BN Audu Michael PDP M Elected
187 Tarka SC/187/BN Manger Mcclinton Manger APC M Elected
188 Ukum I (Ngenev) SC/188/BN Nyiyongo Ezra Mcsylawn APC M Elected
189 Mata (Ushongo I) SC/189/BN Gabo Simon APC M Elected
190 Mbagwa (Ushongo II) SC/190/BN Tiseer Saater Godfrey APC M Elected
191 Vandeikya I SC/191/BN Matthew Damkor APC M Elected
192 Vandeikya II SC/192/BN Shimawua Emmanuel Terna APC M Elected
Borno 193 Abadam SC/193/BO Bong Alhaji Jamna APC M Elected
28 194 Askira SC/194/BO Abdullahi Musa Askira APC M Elected
195 Bama I (Bama) SC/195/BO Bukar Baba APC M Elected
196 Bayo SC/196/BO Maina Abare Maigari APC M Elected
197 Biu SC/197/BO Gambo Kimba Yakubu APC M Elected
198 Chibok SC/198/BO Clark Nuhu APC M Elected
199 Damaboa SC/199/BO Wakil Mallami APC M Elected
200 Dikwa SC/200/BO Zakariya Mohammed APC M Elected
201 Gubio SC/201/BO Moruma Gubo APC M Elected
202 Bama II (Gulumba) SC/202/BO Mallam Baba Baba Shehu APC M Elected

449
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

203 Guzamala SC/203/BO Lawan Abdulkarim APC M Elected

204 Gwoza SC/204/BO Buba Abdullahi Abatcha APC M Elected
205 Hawul SC/205/BO Ibrahim Mohammed APC M Elected
206 Jere SC/206/BO Abba Kolo Abba Kyari APC M Elected
207 Kaga SC/207/BO Alibe Mustapha APC M Elected
208 Kala Balge SC/208/BO Mohammed Dige APC M Elected
209 Konduga SC/209/BO Modu Bukar APC M Elected
210 Kukawa SC/210/BO Lawan Karta Maina Ma’aji APC M Elected
211 Kwaya Kusar SC/211/BO Babale Abubakar Ibrahim APC M Elected
212 Mafa SC/212/BO Modu Baba Ali APC M Elected
213 Magumeri SC/213/BO Mustapha Audu APC M Elected
214 Maiduguri M.C. SC/214/BO Kotoko Alhaji Ali APC M Elected
215 Marte SC/215/BO Gambomi Mohammed Marte APC M Elected
216 Mobbar SC/216/BO Moruma Usman Lawan APC M Elected
217 Monguno SC/217/BO Garbu Maina APC M Elected
218 Ngala SC/218/BO Abatcha Alhaji Bukar APC M Elected
219 Nganzai SC/219/BO Ali Gajiram Mohammed APC M Elected
220 Shani SC/220/BO Inuwa Ibrahim Musa APC M Elected
Cross River 221 Abi SC/221/CR Enyiofem Davies Etta APC M Elected
25 222 Akamkpa I SC/222/CR Owuna Okon Nyong APC M Elected
223 Akamkpa II SC/223/CR Etim Linus Bassey APC M Elected
224 Akpabuyo SC/224/CR Bassey Bassey Effiong APC M Elected
225 Bakassi SC/225/CR Edet Bassey Eyo APC M Elected

450
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

226 Biase SC/226/CR Ogban Francis Onette APC M Elected

227 Boki I SC/227/CR Obi Philip Bette APC M Elected
228 Boki II SC/228/CR Bisong Hilary Ekpang APC M Elected
229 Bekwarra SC/229/CR Omang Charles Omang PDP M Elected
230 Calabar Municipal SC/230/CR Nsemo Okon Bassey Stanley APC M Elected
231 Calabar South I SC/231/CR Jimmy Effiong Ekarika APC M Elected
232 Calabar South II SC/232/CR Nsa Victor Ekpeyong APC M Elected
233 Etung SC/233/CR Isong Kingsley Ntui APC M Elected
234 Ikom I SC/234/CR Abang Samuel Neji PDP M Elected
235 Ikom Ii SC/235/CR Ayambem Elvert Ekom APC M Elected
236 Obanleku SC/236/CR Ashakia Pius Ashas PDP M Elected
237 Obubra I SC/237/CR Agbor Ovat APC M Elected
238 Obubra II SC/238/CR Egbe Egbe Abeng APC M Elected
239 Obudu SC/239/CR Agabi Sylvester Rihwo APC M Elected
240 Odukpani SC/240/CR Asuquo F. Ekepeyong Bassey APC M Elected
241 Ogoja SC/241/CR Ayim Rita Agbo PDP F Elected
242 Yakurr I SC/242/CR Omini Cyril James APC M Elected
243 Yakurr II SC/243/CR Akpama Mercy Mbang APC F Elected
244 Yala I SC/244/CR Odey Brian Wonah LP M Elected
245 Yala II SC/245/CR Achadu Ogiji Idaga Martins PDP M Elected
Delta 246 Aniocha North SC/246/DT Nwaobi Emeka Emmanuel PDP M Elected
29 247 Aniocha South SC/247/DT Awuzia Isaac Ozor PDP M Elected
248 Bomadi SC/248/DT Preyor Oboro PDP M Elected

451
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

249 Burutu SC/249/DT Oloye Pereotu PDP M Elected

250 Burutu North SC/250/DT Ebitonmo Anthony Alapala APC M Elected
251 Ethiope East SC/252/DT Akpowowo Arthur PDP M Elected
252 Ethiope West SC/252/DT Achoja Blessing APC M Elected
253 Ika North East SC/253/DT Okowa-Daramola Marilyn Dumkechukwu PDP F Elected
254 Ika South SC/254/DT Okoh Festus Chukwuyem PDP M Elected
255 Isoko North SC/255/DT Odior Bernard PDP M Elected
256 Isoko South I SC/256/DT Obowomano Bimo Owhede PDP M Elected
257 Isoko South II SC/257/DT Onwo Ferguson PDP M Elected
258 Ndokwa East SC/258/DT Osamuta Emeka Prince PDP M Elected
259 Ndokwa West SC/259/DT Emetulu C. Chukwuemeka PDP M Elected
260 Okpe SC/260/DT Augoye James Ojaduvba PDP M Elected
261 Oshimili North SC/261/DT Esemwah F. Ngozichukwuka PDP M Elected
262 Oshimili South SC/262/DT Anyafulu Ifechukwu Bridget PDP F Elected
263 Patani SC/263/DT Sinebi Amatare Emmanuel PDP M Elected
264 Sapele SC/264/DT Umukoro Awolowo Perkins PDP M Elected
265 Udu SC/265/DT Egbetamah Ovie Collins APC M Elected
266 Ughelli North I SC/266/DT Omonade M. Onojighofia APC M Elected
267 Ughelli North II SC/267/DT Ohwofa Obokpare Spencer APC M Elected
268 Ughelli South SC/268/DT Utuama Festus PDP M Elected
269 Ukwuani SC/269/DT Dafe Chukwudi PDP M Elected
270 Uvwie SC/270/DT Emakpor Edafe APC M Elected
271 Warri North SC/271/DT Martins Oluwasanumi Alfred PDP M Elected

452
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

272 Warri South I SC/272/DT Uroye Augustine PDP M Elected

273 Warri South II SC/273/DT Obire Benson APC M Elected
274 Warri South-West SC/274/DT Guwor Emomotimi Dennis PDP M Elected
Ebonyi 275 Abakaliki North SC/275/EB Nwoke Victor Chidi PDP M Elected
24 276 Abakaliki South SC/276/EB Ununu Joseph Ogodo APC M Elected
277 Afikpo North East SC/277/EB Ezeali Ukie Oluchi APC F Elected
278 Afikpo North West SC/278/EB Ikoro Kingsley Ogbonna APC M Elected
279 Afikpo South East SC/279/EB Igwe Stephen Orji APC M Elected
280 Afikpo South West SC/280/EB Onuma Okoro Nkemka APC M Elected
281 Ebonyi North East SC/281/EB Nwogbara Chinyere Juliet APC F Elected
282 Ebonyi North West SC/282/EB Nwodo Aloysius Nwodo APC M Elected
283 Ezza North East SC/283/EB Okeh Kelvin Okechukwu APGA M Elected
284 Ezza North West SC/284/EB Nomeh Chikaodili Innocent PDP M Elected
285 Ezza South SC/285/EB Ogbuewu Friday APC M Elected
286 Ikwo North SC/286/EB Nwakpu Ifeanyi APC M Elected
287 Ikwo South SC/287/EB Odunwa Moses Ije APC M Elected
288 Ishielu North SC/288/EB Eze Henry Sunday APC M Elected
289 Ishielu South SC/289/EB Chukwu Arinze Lukas APC M Elected
290 Ivo SC/290/EB Ogbadu Ogbunne Onyebuchi APC M Elected
291 Izzi East SC/291/EB Mbam Goodluck Obinna APC M Elected
292 Izzi West SC/292/EB Abiri Godwin Abiri APC M Elected
293 Ohaozara East SC/293/EB Nwankwor Chikezie Igu APC M Elected
294 Ohaozara West SC/294/EB Onu Ukpai APC M Elected

453
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

295 Onicha East SC/295/EB Ogba Celestine Ifeanyi LP M Elected

296 Onicha West SC/296/EB Onu Charles Nkwoemezeie PDP M Elected
297 Ohaukwu North SC/297/EB Agwu Esther Chidiebere APC F Elected
298 Ohaukwu South SC/298/EB Onah Chinedu Ogba APC M Elected
Edo 299 Akoko Edo I SC/299/ED Idaiye Yekini Oisayemoje PDP M Elected
24 300 Akoko Edo II SC/300/ED Okogbe Ojemeh Donald PDP M Elected
301 Esan Central SC/301/ED Eigbiremonlen Fada Sunday PDP M Elected
302 Esan West SC/302/ED Ibhamawu J. Aigbokhan APC M Elected
303 Esan North East I SC/303/ED Eddey Emankhu Isibor APC M Elected
304 Esan North East II SC/304/ED Edeko Maria Omozele PDP F Elected
305 Esan South East SC/305/ED Ojezele Osezua Sunday PDP M Elected
306 Etsako Central SC/306/ED Oshmah Ahmed APC M Elected
307 Etsako East SC/307/ED Ugabi Kingsley Ogheneklogie APC M Elected
308 Etsako West I SC/308/ED Lecky Hussein Mustapha APC M Elected
309 Etsako West II SC/309/ED Akokhia Abdulganiyu APC M Elected
310 Egor SC/310/ED Osawaru Natasha Irobosa PDP M Elected
311 Ikpoba - Okha SC/311/ED Osonsere Nicholas Friday PDP M Elected
312 Igueben SC/312/ED Inegbeboh Ojie Eugene PDP M Elected
313 Oredo East SC/313/ED Omosigho Uyi Frank PDP M Elected
314 Oredo West SC/314/ED Edosa Richard Osaro LP M Elected
315 Orhionmwon I SC/315/ED Atu Osamwonyi Evbaguehita APC M Elected
316 Orhionmwon II SC/316/ED Iyamu Aitenguoba Bright PDP M Elected
317 Ovia North East I SC/317/ED Aiguobarueghian C. Iguodala PDP M Elected

454
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

318 Ovia North East II SC/318/ED Uzamere O. Andrew Edobor PDP M Elected
319 Ovia South West SC/319/ED Enabulele Destiny Oghuyerio PDP M Elected
320 Owan East SC/320/ED Okaka Eric Allison APC M Elected
321 Owan West SC/321/ED Egbebaku Blessing Sheriff PDP M Elected
322 Uhunmwode SC/322/ED Osamwoyi Kaycee PDP M Elected
Ekiti 323 Ado I SC/323/EK Adegbite Ayodeji Adeyinka APC M Elected
26 324 Ado Ii SC/324/EK Olagbaju Bolaji APC M Elected
325 Gbonyin SC/325/EK Okuyiga Eyitayo Adeteju APC M Elected
326 Efon SC/326/EK Olowookere Besede Yinka APC M Elected
327 Ekiti East I SC/327/EK Ogunsakin Olaoye Oladele SDP M Elected
328 Ekiti East II SC/328/EK Akanle Lateef Oluwole APC M Elected
329 Ekiti West I SC/329/EK Agunbiade Kareem APC M Elected
330 Ekiti West II SC/330/EK Bode-Adeoye O. Johnson APC M Elected
331 Ekiti South West I SC/331/EK Adaramodu Kehinde Anthony APC M Elected
332 Ekiti South West II SC/332/EK Ige Tolulope Michael APC F Elected
333 Emure SC/333/EK Ogunlade M. B. Funmilola APC F Elected
334 Ido/Osi I SC/334/EK Fawekun Abiodun Babatunde APC M Elected
335 Ido/Osi II SC/335/EK Ayorinde E. Oluwayomi APC M Elected
336 Ijero SC/336/EK Ojo Martins Ademola APC M Elected
337 Ikere I SC/337/EK Oke Babatunde APC M Elected
338 Ikere II SC/338/EK Idowu Lawrence Babatunde APC M Elected
339 Ikole I SC/339/EK Fatunla Babafemi Sunday APC M Elected
340 Ikole II SC/340/EK Arigbasoye Adeoye Stephen APC M Elected

455
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

341 Ilejemeje SC/341/EK Okiemen Fakunle I. Lydia APC F Elected

342 Irepodun/Ifelodun I SC/342/EK Akindele Femi Olanrewaju APC M Elected
343 Irepodun/Ifelodun II SC/343/EK Jamiu Hakeem Ayodeji APC M Elected
344 Ise/Orun SC/344/EK Omotayo Babatunde E.. APC M Elected
345 Moba I SC/345/EK Solanke Christiana Abimbola APC F Elected
346 Moba II SC/346/EK Awoniyi Jacob Adeyemi APC M Elected
347 Oye I SC/347/EK Longe Temitope Ademola APC M Elected
348 Oye II SC/348/EK Odebunmi Idowu Sunday APC M Elected
Enugu 349 Aniniri SC/349/EN Ede Magnus Nnaemeka PDP M Elected
24 350 Awgu North SC/350/EN Eneh Jane Chinwe PDP F Elected
351 Awgu South SC/351/EN Nwankwo Anthony Chukwudi PDP M Elected
352 Enugu East I SC/352/EN Okoh Osita Hyginus LP M Elected
353 Enugu East II SC/353/EN Ugwu Raymond Okechukwu LP M Elected
354 Enugu North SC/354/EN Ani Johnson Samuel LP M Elected
355 Enugu South I SC/355/EN Ngene Bright Emeka LP M Elected
356 Enugu South II SC/356/EN Ugwu Obiajulu Princess LP F Elected
357 Ezeagu SC/357/EN Udefuna Chukwudi LP M Elected
358 Igbo-Etiti East SC/358/EN Ezeani Ezenta Ugo PDP M Elected
359 Igbo-Etiti West SC/359/EN Amuka Williams LP M Elected
360 Igbo-Eze North I SC/360/EN Eze Ejike Jude LP M Elected
361 Igbo-Eze North II SC/361/EN Obe Clifford Nnaemeka PDP M Elected
362 Igbo-Eze South SC/362/EN Ogara Harrison Chinwe LP M Elected
363 Isi-Uzo SC/363/EN Eze Gabriel Lebechi LP M Elected

456
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

364 Nkanu East SC/364/EN Mba Anthony Okecukwu PDP M Elected

365 Nkanu West SC/365/EN Aniagu Iloabuchi Desmond PDP M Elected
366 Nsukka East SC/366/EN Ezugwu Onyekachi LP M Elected
367 Nsukka West SC/367/EN Onyechi Malachi Okey LP M Elected
368 Oji River SC/368/EN Eze Ignatius Osita LP M Elected
369 Udenu SC/369/EN Ijere Obinna Anthony LP M Elected
370 Udi North SC/370/EN Ugwu Callistus Uche PDP M Elected
371 Udi South SC/371/EN Aneke Hycinth Okechukwu PDP M Elected
372 Uzo Uwani SC/372/EN Ekwueme C. I. Martins PDP M Elected
Gombe 373 Akko West SC/373/GM Abdullahi Abubakar APC M Elected
24 374 Akko Central SC/374/GM Mohammed Abubakar APC M Elected
375 Akko North SC/375/GM Mohammed A. Musa APC M Elected
376 Balanga North SC/076GM Buba Musa APC M Elected
377 Balanga South SC/377/GM Maigemi Lamido Isaac APC M Elected
378 Billiri East SC/378/GM Daniel Yakubu PDP M Elected
379 Billiri West SC/379/GM Malon Nimrod Yari PDP M Elected
380 Dukku North SC/380/GM Abdulkarim Nasiru APC M Elected
381 Dukku South SC/381/GM Umar Adamu A. APC M Elected
382 Funakaye North SC/382/GM Sadam Bello Sale APC M Elected
383 Funakaye South SC/383/GM Abubakar Dayi Muhammed APC M Elected
384 Gombe North SC/384/GM Manu Aliyu Baba APC M Elected
385 Gombe South SC/385/GM Mustapha Usman Hassan APC M Elected
386 Kaltungo West SC/386/GM Fushion Gabriel Galadima PDP M Elected

457
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

387 Kaltungo East SC/387/GM Ladan Yerima Gaule APC M Elected

388 Nafada North SC/388/GM Tahir Muhammed APC M Elected
389 Nafada South SC/389/GM Musa Adamu Ahmed APC M Elected
390 Shongom SC/390/GM Ayala Zubairu Pilate PDP M Elected
391 Pero Chonge SC/391/GM Golkos Gaius Gaji APC M Elected
392 Deba SC/392/GM Suleiman Mohammed Kabir APC M Elected
393 Yamaltu East SC/393/GM Adamu Sale Pata APC M Elected
394 Yamaltu West SC/394/GM Manaja Musa Zambuk APC M Elected
395 Kwami East SC/395/GM Haruna Shuaibu Adamu APC M Elected
396 Kwami West SC/396/GM Siddi Buba APC M Elected
Imo 397 Aboh Mbaise SC/397/IM Obinna Edward Iheukwumere APC M Elected
27 398 Ahiazu Mbaise SC/398/IM Otuibe Samuel Nkem APC M Elected
399 Ehime Mbano SC/399/IM Ozoemelam Bernard Ndubisi APC M Elected
400 Ezinihitte SC/400/IM Agbasonu Henry Chinemerem APC M Elected
401 Ideato North SC/401/IM Udeze Enerst Okechukwu APC M Elected
402 Ideato South SC/402/IM Azodo Vitalis Ndubuisi A M Elected
403 Ihite/Uboma SC/403/IM Olemgbe Chike APC M Elected
404 Ikeduru SC/404/IM Iheohe Johnleoba APC M Elected
405 Isiala Mbano SC/405/IM Osuji Samuel Ikechukwu APC M Elected
406 Isu SC/406/IM Osakwe Abiazie Modestus PDP M Elected
407 Mbaitoli SC/407/IM Ikpamezie I. Ikechukwu APC M Elected
408 Ngor Okpala SC/408/IM Egu Obinna Ambrose APC M Elected
409 Njaba SC/409/IM Ebonine Benneth O. Worship APC M Elected

458
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

410 Nwangele SC/410/IM Iwuanyanwu Amarachii Chyna APC F Elected

411 Nkwerre SC/411/IM Ojukwu Thaddeus Chisom APC M Elected
412 Obowo SC/412/IM Ibeh Kennedy Chidozie APC M Elected
413 Oguta SC/413/IM Nwosu Gilbert Chiedozie APC M Elected
414 Ohaji/Egbema SC/414/IM Osuoha Uzoma Francis APC M Elected
415 Okigwe SC/415/IM Ogbunikpa Chidi Samuel APC M Elected
416 Onuimo SC/416/IM Esile James Uba APC M Elected
417 Orlu SC/417/IM Ihezuo Ikenna Martin APC M Elected
418 Orsu SC/418/IM Agabige Francis Uche APC M Elected
419 Oru East SC/419/IM Nwaneri Chigozie Reginald APC M Elected
420 Oru West SC/420/IM Ezerioha Dominic Ugochukwu APC M Elected
421 Owerri Municipal SC/421/IM Obodo Ugochukwu Augustine APC M Elected
422 Owerri North SC/422/IM Ofurum Kelechi Onumajuru APC M Elected
423 Owerri West SC/423/IM Onyemachi Kanayo APC M Elected
Jigawa 424 Auyo SC/424/JG Sani Ishaq APC M Elected
30 425 Babura SC/425/JG Abdulrahman Masud Naruwa APC M Elected
426 Kanya SC/426/JG Ibrahim Hasim Kanya APC M Elected
427 Birnin Kudu SC/427/JG Ibrahi Kabir PDP M Elected
428 Birniwa SC/428/JG Keriya Hassan APC M Elected
429 Buji SC/429/JG Alhaji Baba Sule APC M Elected
430 Dutse SC/430/JG Ishaq Tasiu APC M Elected
431 Gagarawa SC/431/JG Yau Ibrahim APC M Elected
432 Garki SC/432/JG Ila Abdu Muku APC M Elected

459
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

433 Gumel SC/433/JG Abubakar Sani Isyaku APC M Elected

434 Guri SC/434/JG Tura Usman Abdullahi APC M Elected
435 Gwaram SC/435/JG Yakubu Ado Zandam APC M Elected
436 Fagam SC/436/JG Zakari Yahaya PDP M Elected
437 Gwiwa SC/437/JG Zakari Aminu APC M Elected
438 Hadeijia SC/438/JG Muhammad Abubakar Sadiq APC M Elected
439 Jahun SC/439/JG Garba Alhaji Idris APC M Elected
440 Kafin Hausa SC/440/JG Adamu Muhammad APC M Elected
441 Balangu SC/441/JG Yusuf Ahmed APC M Elected
442 Kiri-Kasamma SC/442/JG Ahmad Aliyu Aliyu APC M Elected
443 Kaugama SC/443/JG Sale Sani APC M Elected
444 Kazaure SC/444/JG Idris Mohammed Inuwa APC M Elected
445 Kiyawa SC/445/JG Mohammed Yahaya APC M Elected
446 Maigatari SC/446/JG Habu Mohammed APC M Elected
447 Mallam Madori SC/447/JG Ibrahim Hamza Adamu APC M Elected
448 Miga SC/448/JG Aliyu Dangyatin Haruna APC M Elected
449 Ringim SC/449/JG Sule Aminu APC M Elected
450 Roni SC/450/JG Muhammad Lawan Dansure APC M Elected
451 Sule-Tankarkar SC/451/JG Abubakar Saidu Mohammed APC M Elected
452 Taura SC/452/JG Shehu Dayyabu APC M Elected
453 Yankwashi SC/453/JG Muhammed Adozoto APC M Elected
Kaduna 454 Magajin Gari SC/454/KD Shehu Abubakar PDP M Elected
34 455 Kakangi SC/455/KD Musa Yahaya APC M Elected

460
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

456 Kajuru SC/456/KD Usman Danlami Stingo PDP M Elected

457 Chikun I SC/457/KD Garba Madami PDP M Elected
458 Giwa East SC/458/KD Adamu Mohammed Shika APC M Elected
459 Giwa West SC/459/KD Auwal Umar APC M Elected
460 Igabi East SC/460/KD Bala Salisu Dandada APC M Elected
461 Igabi West SC/461/KD Zailani Yusuf Ibrahim APC M Elected
462 Ikara SC/462/KD Mohammed Alhassan PDP M Elected
463 Kubau SC/463/KD Yinusa Shehu APC M Elected
464 Jema’a SC/464/KD Kalat Ali PDP M Elected
465 Sanga SC/465/KD Haliru Gambo Dangana APC M Elected
466 Kachia SC/466/KD Agite Peter APC M Elected
467 Kagarko SC/467/KD Magaji Henry Danjuma APC M Elected
468 Kawo SC/468/KD Sunusi Nazir Abubakar APC M Elected
469 Doka/Gabasawa SC/469/KD Lawal Aminu Anty APC M Elected
470 Tudun Wada SC/470/KD Usman Nasiru APC M Elected
471 Makera SC/471/KD Dahiru Yusuf Liman APC M Elected
472 Unguwar Sanusi SC/472/KD Yahaya Auwulu Muhammad APC M Elected
473 Chawai/Kauru SC/473/KD Haruna Barnabas APC M Elected
474 Lere West SC/474/KD Gatari Idris Bashir APC M Elected
475 Saminaka (Lere East) SC/475/KD Suleiman Tanimu Munira APC M Elected
476 Kudan SC/476/KD Abbas Faisal APC M Elected
477 Makarfi SC/477/KD Ibrahim Ishaku PDP M Elected

461
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

478 Sabon Gari SC/478/KD Idris Mohammed Nasir APC M Elected

479 Basawa SC/479/KD Jamilu Abubakar Albani APC M Elected
480 Maigana SC/480/KD Mohammed Bello Abdullahi PDP M Elected
481 Soba SC/481/KD Magaji Suleiman PDP M Elected
482 Zangon Kataf SC/482/KD Kambai Samuel Kozah PDP M Elected
483 Zonkwa SC/483/KD Kantiok Emmanuel Bako PDP M Elected
484 Zaria Kewaye SC/484/KD Ahmed Mohammed APC M Elected
485 Zaria City SC/485/KD Ismaila Mahmud Lawal APC M Elected
486 Jaba SC/486/KD Marah Henry Zachariah PDP M Elected
487 Kaura SC/487/KD Mugu Yusufu PDP M Elected
Kano 488 Albasu SC/488/KN Haruna Musa Tahir NNPP M Elected
40 489 Shanono/Bagwai SC/489/KN Ibrahim Halilu Kundila APC M Elected
490 Bebeji SC/490/KN Mohamed Aliyu NNPP M Elected
491 Bichi SC/491/KN Shehu Lawan APC M Elected
492 Bunkure SC/492/KN Gambo Hafizu NNPP M Elected
493 Dala SC/493/KN Hussaini Lawan NNPP M Elected
494 Gwale SC/494/KN Uamr Abdulmajid Isa NNPP M Elected
495 Dambatta SC/495/KN Musa Murtala Kore APC M Elected
496 Makoda SC/496/KN Ahmad Mohammad Tomas APC M Elected
497 Dawakin Kudu SC/497/KN Rabiu Shuaibu NNPP M Elected
498 Dawakin Tofa SC/498/KN Ahmad Marke Sale APC M Elected
499 Doguwa SC/499/KN Mohammed Salisu Ibrahim APC M Elected
500 Gabasawa SC/500/KN Nuhu Zakariya Abdullahi NNPP M Elected

462
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

501 Gaya SC/501/KN Danladi Isah Abubakar APC M Elected

502 Ajingi SC/502/KN Lawan Tini Ajingi NNPP M Elected
503 Gezawa SC/503/KN Yahaya Abdullahi APC M Elected
504 Gwarzo SC/504/KN Haruna Kayyu Yunusa APC M Elected
505 Kabo SC/505/KN Labaran Ayuba Alassan APC M Electec
506 Kano Municipal SC/506/KN Yusuf Aliyu Daneji NNPP M Elected
507 Tarauni SC/507/KN Sule Kabiru Dahiru NNPP M Elected
508 Karaye SC/508/KN Ibrahim Ahmed NNPP M Elected
509 Rogo SC/509/KN Ismail Jibril Falgore NNPP M Elected
510 Kiru SC/510/KN Tasiu Usman Abubakar NNPP M Elected
511 Kumbotso SC/511/KN Ibrahim Mudassir NNPP M Elected
512 Kura/Gurun Mallam SC/512/KN Alhassan Zakariyya Ishaq APC M Elected
513 Madobi SC/513/KN Muktar Sulaiman Ishaq NNPP M Elected
514 Munjibir SC/514/KN Abdulhamid Abdul Minjibir NNPP M Elected
515 Nassarawa SC/515/KN Yusuf Bello Aliyu NNPP M Elected
516 Fagge SC/516/KN Mohammed Tukur APC M Elected
517 Rano SC/517/KN Muhammad Ibrahim NNPP M Elected
518 Kibiya SC/518/KN Shehu Garba Fammar NNPP M Elected
519 Rimi Gado/Tofa SC/519/KN Bello Muhammad Butu Butu NNPP M Elected
520 Sumaila SC/520/KN Massu Zubairu Hamza NNPP M Elected
521 Takai SC/521/KN Ali Kachako Musa APC M Elected
522 Tsanyawa/Kunchi SC/522/KN Ya’u Garba Gwarmai APC M Elected
523 Tudun Wada SC/523/KN Lawan Sule APC M Elected

463
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

524 Ungogo SC/524/KN Saadu Aminu Ungogo NNPP M Elected

525 Warawa SC/525/KN Abdul Labaran Madari APC M Elected
526 Wudil SC/526/KN Abdullahi Ali Wudil Manager NNPP M Elected
527 Garko SC/527/KN Kadage Mohammad NNPP M Elected
Katsina 528 Bakori SC/528/KT Abdulrahman Ahmed APC M Elected
34 529 Batagarawa SC/529/KT Shagumba Tukur Iliyasu APC M Elected
530 Batsari SC/530/KT Tukur Mustapha APC M Elected
531 Baure SC/531/KT Umar Surajo APC M Elected
532 Bindawa SC/532/KT Ali Umar Bindawa APC M Elected
533 Charanchi SC/533/KT Isah Lawal Kuraye APC M Elected
534 Dandume SC/534/KT Nuhu Yahaya Mahuta APC M Elected
535 Danja SC/535/KT Abubakar Dabai Shamsudeen APC M Elected
536 Danmusa SC/536/KT Garba Aminu A. APC M Elected
537 Daura SC/537/KT Yahaya Nasir APC M Elected
538 Dutsi SC/538/KT Samaila Abduljalal APC M Elected
539 Dutsin-Ma SC/539/KT Abubakar Muhammad Hamisu APC M Elected
540 Faskari SC/540/KT Muazu Samaila Bawa APC M Elected
541 Funtua SC/541/KT Mohammed Abubakar Total APC M Elected
542 Ingawa SC/542/KT Suleman Abubakar Tunas APC M Elected
543 Jibia SC/543/KT Yusuf Mustapha APC M Elected
544 Kafur SC/544/KT Wakili Shuaibu APC M Elected
545 Kaita SC/546/KT Abdu Sirajo APC M Elected
546 Kankara SC/547/KT Abdu Ibrahim Lawal PDP M Elected

464
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

547 Kankia SC/545/KT Hmaza Salisu Rimaye APC M Elected

548 Katsina SC/548/KT Abubakar Albaba Aliyu APC M Elected
549 Kurfi SC/549/KT Zaharadeen Usman Sani APC M Elected
550 Kusada SC/550/KT Garba Ghali APC M Elected
551 Mai’adua SC/552/KT Rabe Mustapha Musa APC M Elected
552 Malumfashi East SC/551/KT Ibrahim Aminu APC M Elected
553 Mani SC/553/KT Zayyana Shuaibu Bujawa APC M Elected
554 Mashi SC/554/KT Sani Bello Mustapha APC M Elected
555 Matazu SC/555/KT Dikko Ibrahim Umar APC M Elected
556 Musawa SC/556/KT Yaro H. Lawal APC M Elected
557 Rimi SC/557/KT Kurabau Abdulrahman Saleh APC M Elected
558 Sabuwa SC/558/KT Danjuma Ibrahim APC M Elected
559 Safana SC/559/KT Haruna Runka Abduljalal APC M Elected
560 Sandamu SC/560/KT Magaji Ruma Sale APC M Elected
561 Zango SC/561/KT Musa Maigari Tasiu APC M Elected
Kebbi 562 Aleiro SC/562/KB Buhari Muhammad Aliero PDP M Elected
24 563 Arewa SC/563/KB Rabiu Garba Kamba APC M Elected
564 Argungu SC/564/KB Na’amore Umar Mohammed PDP M Elected
565 Augie SC/565/KB Garba Muhammad Sani APC M Elected
566 Bagudo East SC/566/KB Samaila Mohammed APC M Elected
567 Bagudo West SC/567/KB Abubakar Lolo Mohammmed APC M Elected
568 Birnin Kebbi North SC/568/KB Umar Hassan APC M Elected
569 Birnin Kebbi South SC/569/KB Gulumbe Abubakar Aminu APC M Elected

465
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

570 Bunza SC/570/KB Abubakar Yusuf Tilli PDP M Elected

571 Dandi SC/571/KB Abubakar Sulaiman Fana APC M Elected
572 Fakai SC/572/KB Haruna Lawal Gele APC M Elected
573 Gwandu SC/573/KB Atiku Bello Kurya APC M Elected
574 Jega SC/574/KB Aliyu Faruku APC M Elected
575 Kalgo SC/575/KB Sahabi Rilwanu APC M Elected
576 Koko/Besse SC/576/KB Abubakar Imam Besse APC M Elected
577 Maiyama SC/577/KB Umaru Salah Sambawa APC M Elected
578 Ngaski SC/578/KB Muhammad Adamu B/Yauri APC M Elected
579 Sakaba SC/579/KB Dangoje Salihu M. APC M Elected
580 Shanga SC/580/KB Tukur Mohammed APC M Elected
581 Suru SC/581/KB Abubakar Faruku APC M Elected
582 Wasagu/Danko East SC/582/KB Garba Muhammad Bena APC M Elected
583 Wasagu/Danko West SC/583/KB Danjuma Abdullahi APC M Elected
584 Yauri SC/584/KB Usman Hashimu PDP M Elected
585 Zuru SC/585/KB Usman Mohammed APC M Elected
Kogi 586 Adavi SC/586/KG Asemba Baba Haruna APC M Elected
25 587 Ajaokuta SC/587/KG Abu Onoru-Oiza Jibrin APC M Elected
588 Ankpa I SC/588/KG Akus Lawal APC M Elected
589 Ankpa II SC/589/KG Ibrahim Abbas APC M Elected
590 Bassa SC/590/KG Daku Sunday PDP M Elected

466
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

591 Dekina/Biraidu SC/591/KG Ochidi Usman Shehu APC M Elected

592 Okura SC/592/KG Paul Enema APC M Elected
593 Ibaji SC/593/KG Comfort Ojoma Nwuchiola APC F Elected
594 Idah SC/594/KG Usman Halidu Adejoh APC M Elected
595 Igalamela-Odolu SC/595/KG Enefola Major APC M Elected
596 Ijumu SC/596/KG Ishaya Omotayo Adeleye APC M Elected
597 Kabba/Bunu SC/597/KG Bello Oluwaseyi Victor APC M Elected
598 Kogi (K.K) SC/598/KG Idrees Aliyu APC M Elected
599 Lokoja I SC/599/KG Bin-Ebaiya Shehu Tijjani APC M Elected
600 Lokoja II SC/600/KG Aliyu Umar Yusuf APC M Elected
601 Mopamuro SC/601/KG Jacob Sam Olawumi APC M Elected
602 Ofu SC/602/KG Amodu Seidu Shehu APC M Elected
603 Ogori/Magongo SC/603/KG Ogunmola Bode Gemini APC M Elected
604 Okehi SC/604/KG Otokiti Alhassan Zakariya APC M Elected
605 Okene Town SC/605/KG Suleiman Abdulrazak APC M Elected
606 Okene II (South) SC/606/KG Yusuf Zakari Eneve APC M Elected
607 Olamaboro I SC/607/KG Ujah Alewo Anthony APC M Elected
608 Omala SC/608/KG Yahaya Umar APC M Elected
609 Yagba East SC/609/KG Obaro Emmanuel APC M Elected
610 Yagba West SC/610/KG Idowu Ibikunle ADC M Elected
Kwara 611 Afon SC/611/KW Bello Yinusa Oniboki APC M Elected
24 612 Onire/Owode SC/612/KW Shittu Rukayat Motunrayo APC F Elected
613 Ilesha/Gwanara Barutin I SC/613/KW Yakubu Danladi Salihu APC M Elected

467
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

614 Okuta/Ayashkira Barutin II SC/614/KW Salihu Mohammed Baba APC M Elected

615 Lafiagi / Edu SC/615/KW Saba Yisa Gideon APC M Elected
616 Patigi SC/616/KW Mohammed Kareem Musa APC M Elected
617 Ekiti SC/617/KW Abolarin Ganiyu Gabriel APC M Elected
618 Oke-Ero SC/618/KW Bamigboye Joseph Olajire APC M Elected
619 Omupo/Igbaja Ifelodun I SC/619/KW Salahu Folabi Ganiyu APC M Elected
620 Share/Oke-Ode Ifelodun II SC/620/KW Owolabi Olatunde Rasaq APC M Elected
621 Ilorin East SC/621/KW Lawanl Arinola Fatimoh APC F Elected
622 Ilorin South SC/622/KW Yusuf Maryam APC F Elected
623 Ilorin Central / Ilorin West I SC/623/KW Oba Abdulkadir Magaji APC M Elected
624 Ilorin West / Ilorin West II SC/624/KW Babatunde Ayi Olatundun APC M Elected
625 Irepodun SC/625/KW Odetundu Olushola APC M Elected
626 Isin SC/626/KW Omotosho Olakunle Rasaq APC M Elected
627 Gwanabe/Adena/ Banni / SC/627/KW Ahmed Saidu Baba APC M Elected
Kaiama I
628 Kaiama/Wajibe/ Kemanji / SC/628/KW Abdullahi Halidu Bambaba APC M Elected
Kaiama II
629 Lanwa/Ejidongari / Moro I SC/629/KW Abdulraheem M. Motunrayo APC F Elected
630 Oloru/Malete/ Ipaiye / Moro SC/630/KW Lawal Ayanshola Saliu APC M Elected
II
631 Balogun/Ojumu / Offa I SC/631/KW Oguniyi David Sheun APC M Elected
632 Shawo/Essa / Offa II SC/632/KW Yussuf Abdulwaheed Gbenga APC M Elected
633 Odo-Ogun/ Oyun I SC/633/KW Afolabi Taye Otumba PDP M Elected
634 Oke-Ogun / Oyun II SC/634/KW Ojo Olayiiwola Oyebode APC M Elected

468
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Lagos 635 Agege I SC/635/LA Obasa Mudashiru APC M Elected

40 636 Agege II SC/636/LA Abdulkareem Jubreel Ayodeji APC M Elected
637 Ajeromi/Ifelodun I SC/637/LA Olumo Saad Lukman APC M Elected
638 Ajeromi/Ifelodun II SC/638/LA Oluwa Akanbi Sabur APC M Elected
639 Alimosho I SC/639/LA Jimoh Orelope L. Olatunji APC M Elected
640 Alimosho II SC/640/LA Joseph Kehinde Olaide APC M Elected
641 Amuwo Odofin I SC/641/LA Osafile Foluke Stella LP F Elected
642 Amuwo Odofin II SC/642/LA Tunde Fashina LP M Elected
643 Apapa I SC/643/LA Meranda Mojisola Lasbat APC F Elected
644 Apapa II SC/644/LA Lawal Aina Musibau APC M Elected
645 Badagry I SC/645/LA Bonu Solomon Saanu APC M Elected
646 Badagry II SC/646/LA David Setonji Samuel APC M Elected
647 Epe I SC/647/LA Tobun Mustainu Abiodun APC M Elected
648 Epe II SC/648/LA Ogunkelu S. Olwadahunsi APC M Elected
649 Eti-Osa I SC/649/LA Adams Noheem Babatunde APC M Elected
650 Eti-Osa II SC/650/LA Yishawo G. R. Olusegun Alabi APC M Elected
651 Ibeju-Lekki I SC/651/LA Mojeed Fatai Adebola APC M Elected
652 Ibeju-Lekki II SC/652/LA Ajayi Oladele Oluwadamilare APC M Elected
653 Ifako / Ijaiye I SC/653/LA Adewale Temitope Adedeji APC M Elected
654 Ifako / Ijaiye II SC/654/LA Olotu Ojo Emmanuel APC M Elected
655 Ikeja I SC/655/LA Lawal Adeseyi Lawal APC M Elected
656 Ikeja II SC/656/LA Kasunmu A. A. Richard APC M Elected
657 Ikorodu I SC/657/LA Ogunleye G. Adetokunbo APC M Elected

469
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

658 Ikorodu II SC/658/LA Aro Moshood Abiodun APC M Elected

659 Kosofe I SC/659/LA Sanni Ganiyu Babatunde APC M Elected
660 Kosofe II SC/660/LA Saheend Wasiu Obafemi APC M Elected
661 Lagos Island I SC/661/LA Lawal O. O. Omotade APC F Elected
662 Lagos Island II SC/662/LA Afinni Olanrewaju Suleiman APC M Elected
663 Lagos Mainland I SC/663/LA Owolabi Ibrahim Ajani APC M Elected
664 Lagos Mainland II SC/664/LA Shabi Rasheed A. Adekola APC M Elected
665 Mushin I SC/665/LA Akinsanya Ayinde Nureni APC M Elected
666 Mushin II SC/666/LA Kazeem Olayinka M. APC M Elected
667 Ojo I SC/667/LA Ege Olusegun Adebisi APC M Elected
668 Ojo II SC/668/LA Tijjani Suraju Olatunji APC M Elected
669 Oshodi/Isolo I SC/669/LA Ogundipe Stephen Olukoyode APC M Elected
670 Oshodi/Isolo II SC/670/LA Ajomale Oladipo Oluyinka APC M Elected
671 Shomolu I SC/671/LA Orekoya Abiodun APC M Elected
672 Shomolu II SC/672/LA Apata Samuel Olu APC M Elected
673 Surulere I SC/673/LA Elliot Olushola APC M Elected
674 Surulere II SC/674/LA Sangodara M. Rotimi APC M Elected
Nasarawa 675 Akwanga North SC/675/NW Ven-Bawa Larry APC M Court
Order
24 676 Akwanga South SC/676/NW Aliyu Yusuf Chunbaya PDP M Elected
677 Awe North SC/677/NW Hudu Alhaji Hudu APC M Elected
678 Awe South SC/678/NW Yakubu Suleiman Abdullahi APC M Elected
679 Doma North SC/679/NW Adamu Muhammed Oyanki PDP M Elected

470
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

680 Doma South SC/680/NW Ibrahim Musa Abubakar NNPP M Elected

681 Karu/Gitata SC/681/NW Ali Jonah Dizaho PDP M Elected
682 Karshi/Uke SC/682/NW Musa Saidu Gude SDP M Elected
683 Keana SC/683/NW Adamu Mohammed Omadefu APC M Elected
684 Keffi West SC/684/NW Ibrahim Aliyu Nana APC M Elected
685 Keffi East SC/685/NW John Ovey PDP M Elected
686 Kokona East SC/686/NW Ogazi Daniel Ogah APC M Elected
687 Kokona West SC/687/NW Jatau Danladi Angbo APC M Elected
688 Lafia Central SC/688/NW Solomon Yakubu Akwashiki SDP M Elected
689 Lafia North SC/689/NW Mairiga Ambina Esson PDP M Elected
690 Nasarawa Central SC/690/NW Ibrahim Danyaro Hajarat APC F Elected
691 Nasarawa West (Loki/Udege) SC/691/NW Onarigu Onah Kana SDP M Elected
692 Nasarawa-Eggon West SC/692/NW Bala Abel Yakubu PDP M Elected
693 Nasarawa-Eggon East SC/693/NW Kudu Ajegana Jacob APC M Elected
694 Obi I SC/694/NW Akwe Ibrahim Peter PDP M Elected
695 Obi II SC/695/NW Zhekaba Iliya Luka PDP M Elected
696 Gadabuke/Toto (Toto I) SC/696/NW Garba Mohammed Isimbabi NNPP M Elected
697 Umaisha/Dausu (Toto II) SC/697/NW Abdullahi Ibrahim Balarabe APC M Elected
698 Wamba SC/698/NW Ezekiel Emmanuel Manding APC M Elected
Niger 699 Agaie SC/699/NG Mohammed Isa Etsuagaie APC M Elected
27 700 Agwara SC/700/NG Mohammed Garba APC M Elected
701 Bida I (North) SC/701/NG Sulieman M. Wanchiko PDP M Elected
702 Bida II (South) SC/702/NG Haruna Mohammed Alhaji APC M Elected

471
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

703 Borgu SC/703/NG Gambo Abdulrahman Bala APC M Elected

704 Bosso SC/704/NG Suleiman Abubakar Gomna APC M Elected
705 Chanchanga SC/705/NG Abubakar Mohammed APC M Elected
706 Edatti SC/706/NG Mohammed Ahmed PDP M Elected
707 Gbako SC/707/NG Ahmadu Yahaya Abubakar APC M Elected
708 Gurara SC/708/NG Afiniki Eunice Dauda APC F Elected
709 Katcha SC/709/NG Yakubu Andulmalik Bala SDP M Elected
710 Kontagora I SC/710/NG Phalal Bako Mohammed APC M Elected
711 Kotangora II SC/711/NG Isah Abdullahi APC M Elected
712 Lapai SC/712/NG Musa Idris Vatsa APC M Elected
713 Lavun SC/713/NG Yusuf Baba Dabban PDP M Elected
714 Magama SC/714/NG Mohammed G.N. Abdullazeez APC M Elected
715 Mariga SC/715/NG Muhammed Abdulmalik APC M Elected
716 Mashegu SC/716/NG Alhassan Isah APC M Elected
717 Mokwa SC/717/NG Ndagi Zakari PDP M Elected
718 Munya SC/718/NG Joseph Haruna Sduza PDP M Elected
719 Paikoro SC/719/NG Umar Nasiru APC M Elected
720 Rafi SC/720/NG Zubairu Ismaila APC M Elected
721 Rijau SC/721/NG Bako Bello Alhaji APC M Elected
722 Shiroro SC/722/NG Doma Andrew PDP M Elected
723 Suleja SC/723/NG Murtala Adamu Badaru APC M Elected
724 Tafa SC/724/NG Idris Muhammed Sani APC M Elected
725 Wushishi SC/725/NG Sheshi Aliyu Wushishi APC M Elected

472
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

Ogun 726 Abeokuta South I SC/726/OG Lukmon Atobatele PDP M Elected

26 727 Abeokuta South II SC/727/OG Ayodele Wasiu Sunday APC M Elected
728 Odeda Area SC/728/OG Elemide Oludaisi Olusegun APC M Elected
729 Abeokuta North SC/729/OG Tella Babatunde Opiolu APC M Elected
730 Obafemi/Owode SC/730/OG Sonieye Damilola Kayode APC M Elected
731 Ifo I SC/731/OG Oluomo Olakunle Taiwo APC M Elected
732 Ifo II SC/732/OG Salami Fatiu Folawewo APC M Elected
733 Ewekoro SC/733/OG Amosun Yusuf Olawole APC M Elected
734 Ijebu North I SC/734/OG Kashamu Rasheed PDP M Elected
735 Ijebu North II SC/735/OG Odunuga Kaka Olusegun Ayodele APC M Elected
736 Ijebu East Area SC/736/OG Owode Waliu Ifedolapo PDP M Elected
737 Ogun Waterside SC/737/OG Lawal Samusideen Adekunle PDP M Elected
738 Ijebu-Ode SC/738/OG Bakare Olanrenwaju Omolola APC M Elected
739 Odogbolu SC/739/OG Adeyele Lukman Olalekan PDP M Elected
740 Ijebu North East SC/740/OG Adesanya Oluseun Samuel PDP M Elected
741 Sagamu I Offin SC/941/OG Bello Mohamed Oluwadamilare PDP M Elected
742 Sagamu II Makun SC/742/OG Adeniran Ademola Adeyinka APC M Elected
743 Ikenne SC/743/OG Owodunne Babajide PDP M Elected
744 Remo North SC/744/OG Awolaja Dickson Kolawole PDP M Elected
745 Imeko-Afon SC/745/OG Akinbade Jemili Adigun APC M Elected
746 Egbado North I SC/746/OG Adeyanju Adegoke Olusesi APC M Elected
747 Egbado North II SC/747/OG Wahab Haruna Abiodun APC M Elected
748 Idiroko Ipokia SC/748/OG Oyedele Adebisi Jacob APC M Elected

473
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

749 Egbado South SC/749/OG Ajayi Bolanle Lateefat APC F Elected

750 Ado/Odo/Ota I SC/750/OG Yusuf Sheriff Abiodun APC M Elected
751 Ado-Odo/Ota II SC/751/OG Lamidi Musefiu Olatunji APC M Elected
Ondo 752 Akoko North East SC/752/OD Japhet Victor Toyin APC M Elected
26 753 Akoko North West I SC/753/OD Tiamiyu Fatai Ojara Atare Abolaji APC M Elected
754 Akoko North West II SC/754/OD Afe Felix PDP M Elected
755 Akoko South East SC/755/OD Suleiman Murtala APC M Elected
756 Akoko South West I SC/756/OD Daodu Oluwatoyin Raymond PDP M Elected
757 Akoko South West II SC/757/OD Agbulu Tope Akeem PDP M Elected
758 Akure North SC/758/OD Ologede Kolawole Nichael APC M Elected
759 Akure South I SC/759/OD Oguntiodu Olajide Johnson PDP M Elected
760 Akure South II SC/760/OD Abitogun Rotimi Stephen APC M Elected
761 Ese Odo SC/761/OD Allen Messiah Oluwatoyin APC M Elected
762 Idanre SC/762OD Ogunlowo Olwatosin Ajirotutu APC M Elected
763 Ifedore SC/763/OD Akomolafe Temitope APC M Elected
764 Ilaje I SC/764/OD Akinruntan Abayomi Babatunde APC M Elected
765 Ilaje II SC/765/OD Fayemi Olawunmi Annah APC F Elected
766 Ile Oluji / Oke Igbo SC/766/OD Akinsoruji Akindolani Nelson APC M Elected
767 Irele SC/767/OD Ogunlana Christopher Akinwunmi APC M Elected
768 Odigbo I SC/768/OD Ifabiyi Samuel Olatunji APC M Elected
769 Odigbo II SC/769/OD Fasonu Oluwarotimi Babatunde APC M Elected
770 Okitipupa I SC/770/OD Ayebusiwa Odunayo Chris Ahris APC M Elected
771 Okitipupa II SC/771/OD Gbegudu Ololade James APC M Elected

474
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

772 Ondo East SC/772/OD Olajide Olumide Adesanmi APC M Elected

773 Ondo West I SC/773/OD Ogunwumiji Moyinolofun Taiwo APC M Elected
774 Ondo West II SC/774/OD Oladapo John Biola APC M Elected
775 Ose SC/775/OD Oshati Olatunji Emmanuel APC M Elected
776 Owo I SC/776/OD Ogunmolasuyi Oluwole Emanuel APC F Elected
777 Owo II SC/777/OD Witherspoon Atinuke Morenike APC M Elected
Osun 778 Boripe/Boluwa-Duro SC/778/OS Popoola Simeon Olufemi APC M Elected
26 779 Ifelodun SC/779/OS Adeyemi Tajudeen Akinloye PDP M Elected
780 Ila SC/780/OS Bajepade Akinolye Sikiru PDP M Elected
781 Ifedayo SC/781/OS Abolarin Kasope Ajibade PDP M Elected
782 Irepodun/Orulu SC/782/OS Oladimeji Adekunle Emmanuel PDP M Elected
783 Odo-Otin SC/783/OS Egbedun Adewole Olumide PDP M Elected
784 Olorunda SC/784/OS Ajibola Olaide Kolwole PDP M Elected
785 Osogbo SC/785/OS Lawal Bamidele Rasheed PDP M Elected
786 Atakunmosa East and West SC/786/OS Areoye Sanmi Ebenezer PDP M Elected
787 Ife Central SC/787/OS Awoyeye Abiola Jeremiah PDP M Elected
788 Ife East SC/788/OS Fatumisin Olumide Saheed PDP M Elected
789 Ife North SC/789/OS Oyewusi Akinyode Abidemi PDP F Elected
790 Ife South SC/790/OS Adeoti Lawrence Olalekan PDP M Elected
791 Ilesa East SC/791/OS Olatunbosu Oladiran Oyewole PDP M Elected
792 Ilesa West SC/792/OS Akerele Olawale Oladipupo PDP M Elected
793 Obokun SC/793/OS Adeyemi Adewumi PDP M Elected
794 Oriade SC/794/OS Ajibola Micahel Olakanmi PDP M Elected

475
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

795 Ayedade SC/795/OS Ogundare Folrunso Yemi PDP M Elected

796 Ayedire SC/796/OS Oderinwale Elisha Akinyeme PDP M Elected
797 Ede North SC/797/OS Adewumi Babajide Kofoworola PDP M Elected
798 Ede South SC/798/OS Olayiwola Taofeek Olalekan PDP M Elected
799 Egbedore SC/799/OS Ogunrinade Rotimi Adesola PDP M Elected
800 Irewole/Isokan SC/800/OS Ibrahim Abiola Waheed PDP M Elected
801 Iwo SC/801/OS Rabiu Adesina Atanda PDP M Elected
802 Ola-Oluwa SC/802/OS Ibrahim Afeez Abiodun PDP M Elected
803 Ejigbo SC/803/OS Asagade Olujimi A. PDP M Elected
Oyo 804 Afijio SC/804/OY Oparinde Oladeji PDP M Elected
32 805 Akinyele I SC/805/OY Abiola Monsuru Olalekan PDP M Elected
806 Akinyele II SC/806/OY Kehinde Olatunde Taofik PDP M Elected
807 Saki West SC/807/OY Shittu Ibraheem Aremu APC M Elected
808 Ibadan North West SC/808/OY Olalere Dawood PDP M Elected
809 Egbeda SC/809/OY Babalola Olasunkanmi Samson PDP M Elected
810 Ibadan North I SC/810/OY Olajide Olufunke Comforter PDP F Elected
811 Ibadan North II SC/811/OY Adebayo Babajide Gabriel PDP M Elected
812 Ibadan North East I SC/812/OY Babalola Abiodun Oluwaseun PDP M Elected
813 Ibadan North-East II SC/813/OY Owolabi Olusola Adewale PDP M Elected
814 Ibadan South-East I SC/814/OY Akande Modiu Opeyemi PDP M Elected
815 Ibadan South-East II SC/815/OY Omikunle Olayinka Ayobami PDP M Elected
816 Ibadan South-West I SC/816/OY Adebisi Yususf Oladeni PDP M Elected
817 Ibadan South West II SC/817/OY Oluwafowokanmi Oluwafemi Adebayo PDP M Elected

476
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

818 Ibarapa North & Ibarapa SC/818/OY Ojedokun Peter Gbadegesin PDP M Elected
Central
819 Ibarapa East SC/819/OY Ogundoye Adebo Edward PDP M Elected
820 Ido SC/820/OY Mabaje Rasaq Adekunle PDP M Elected
821 Saki East And Atisbo SC/821/OY Saminu Rilwan Gbadamosi PDP M Elected
822 Irepo & Olorunsogo SC/822/OY Salami Waliu Ayinde APC M Elected
823 Iseyin And Itesiwaju SC/823/OY Adeola Bamidele Oladeimeji PDP M Elected
824 Kajola SC/824/OY Azeez Musibau APC M Elected
825 Iwajowa SC/825/OY Ogunsola Anthony Oladeji PDP M Elected
826 Lagelu SC/826/OY Olajide Akintunde Emmanuel PDP M Elected
827 Ogbomoso North SC/827/OY Michael Olubisi Margeret PDP F Elected
828 Ogbomoso South SC/828/OY Onaolapo Sanjo Adedoyin PDP M Elected
829 Oluyole SC/829/OY Akintayo Waheed Kolawole PDP M Elected
830 Ona-Ara SC/830/OY Fadeyi Abiodun Moh PDP M Elected
831 Oorelope SC/831/OY Jimoh Lukman Ishiola APC M Elected
832 Oriire SC/832/OY Ogundele Johnson Akintola PDP M Elected
833 Atiba SC/833/OY Oyekola Gbenga Joseph PDP M Elected
834 Oyo West / Oyo East SC/834/OY Rahman Olorunpoto Cephas PDP M Elected
835 Ogo-Oluwa / Surulere SC/835/OY Ogundare Abideen Adeoye PDP M
Plateau 836 Barkin Ladi SC/836/PL Jwe Philip Gwom PDP M Elected
24 837 Pengana SC/837/PL Happiness Matthew Akawu PDP F Elected
838 Rukuba/Irigwe SC/838/PL Agbalak Adukuchili Ibrahim PDP M Elected
839 Bokkos SC/839/PL Maren Ishaku PDP M Elected
840 Jos East SC/840/PL Madaki Isa Ajiji APC M Elected

477
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

841 Jos North SC/841/PL Aliyu Adamu APC M Elected

842 Jos North West SC/842/PL Azi Danjuma PDP M Elected
843 Jos South SC/843/PL Gwottson Dalyop Fom PDP M Elected
844 Kanke SC/844/PL Gokum Joseph Gomos APC M Elected
845 Pankshin North SC/845/PL Dewan Kundanggbena Gabriel YPP M Elected
846 Pankshin South SC/846/PL Wanglek Tanimu Salome PDP F Elected
847 Dengi SC/847/PL Idris Kalamudal APC M Elected
848 Kantana SC/848/PL Ismail Hudu Bala APC M Elected
849 Langtang North SC/849/PL Nannim Joseph Langyi PDP M Elected
850 Langtang Central SC/850/PL Rimvyat Nanbol PDP M Elected
851 Langtang South SC/851/PL Nimchak Samson Rims PDP M Elected
852 Mangu South SC/852/PL Fwangje Bala Ndat PDP M Elected
853 Mangu North SC/853/PL Abubakar Sani Idris PDP M Elected
854 Mikang SC/854/PL Sule Moses Thomas PDP M Elected
855 Qua’an Pan North SC/855/PL Datugun Paul Naankot PDP M Elected
856 Qua’an Pan South SC/856/PL Doe Yok Cornelius Donga’an PDP M Elected
857 Riyom SC/857/PL Datong Timothy Dalyop PDP M Elected
858 Shendam SC/858/PL Longshin Bakar Joseph APC M Elected
859 Wase SC/859/PL Adamu Ibrahim Galadima APC M Elected
Rivers 860 Abua/Odual SC/860/RV John Dominc Iderima PDP M Elected
32 861 Ahoada East I SC/861/RV Tony Williams Queen Uwuma PDP M Elected
862 Ahoada East II SC/862/RV Ehi Ogerenye Edison PDP M Elected
863 Ahoada West SC/863/RV Sokari Goodboy Sokari PDP M Elected

478
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

864 Akuku-Toru I SC/864/RV Jack Major M. PDP M Elected

865 Akuku-Toru II SC/865/RV Opuende Lolo Isaiah PDP M Elected
866 Andoni I SC/866/RV Ofiks Kagbang Christopher PDP M Elected
867 Asari-Toru I SC/867/RV Grandville Tekenari Wellington PDP M Elected
868 Asari-Toru II SC/868/RV George Enemi Alabo PDP M Elected
869 Bonny SC/869/RV Jumbo Victor Oko PDP M Elected
870 Degema SC/870/RV Abbey Peter Enemeneya PDP M Elected
871 Emohua SC/871/RV Emeji Justina PDP F Elected
872 Eleme SC/872/RV Igwe Obey Aforji PDP M Elected
873 Etche I SC/873/RV Onwuka Ignatius Obenachi PDP M Elected
874 Etche II SC/874/RV Nwankwo Chimezie Christian PDP M Elected
875 Gokana SC/875/RV Maol Dumle PDP M Elected
876 Ikwere I SC/876/RV Nyeche Prince Lemechi PDP M Elected
877 Khana I SC/877/RV Nwakoh Barlie PDP F Elected
878 Khana Ii SC/878/RV Loolo Dinebari PDP M Elected
879 Obio/Akpor I SC/879/RV Amaewhule Martin Chike PDP M Elected
880 Obio/Akpor II SC/880/RV Amadi Emilia Lucky PDP F Elected
881 Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni SC/881/RV Nwabochi Frankline Uchenna PDP M Elected
882 Onelga II SC/882/RV Ezekwe Nkemjika Ijeoma PDP M Elected
883 Ogu/Bolo SC/883/RV Davids Okobiriari Arnold PDP M Elected
884 Okrika SC/884/RV Somiari –Stewart Linda Koroma PDP F Elected
885 Omuma SC/885/RV Nwankwo Sylvanus Enyinna PDP M Elected
886 Opobo/Nkoro SC/886/RV Orubienimigha Adolphus T. PDP M Elected

479
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

887 Oyigbo SC/887/RV Oforji Gerald PDP M Elected

888 Port-Harcourt I SC/888/RV Wami Solomon PDP M Elected
889 Port-Harcourt II SC/889/RV Adoki Tonye Smart PDP M Elected
890 Port-Harcourt III SC/890/RV Opara Azeru PDP M Elected
891 Tai SC/891/RV Ngbar Bernard Baridamue PDP M Elected
Sokoto 892 Binji SC/892/SO Umar Tukr APC M Elected
30 893 Bodinga North SC/893/SO Magaji Abubakar PDP M Elected
894 Bodinga South SC/894/SO Bala Tukur APC M Elected
895 Dange Shuni SC/895/SO Muhammed Sirajo APC M Elected
896 Gada East SC/896/SO Dauda Kabiru APC M Elected
897 Gada West SC/897/SO Awaisu M. Aliyu PDP M Elected
898 Goronyo SC/898/SO Adamu Nasiru PDP M Elected
899 Gudu SC/899/SO Yahaya Amadu APC M Elected
900 Gwadabawa North SC/900/SO Idris Bello APC M Elected
901 Gwadabawa South SC/901/SO Sidi Faruku APC M Elected
902 Illela SC/902/SO Sirajo Abdulkarim Danjuma APC M Elected
903 Isa SC/903/SO Halilu Habibu Modachi PDP M Elected
904 Kware SC/904/SO Ibrahim Kabiru APC M Elected
905 Kebbe SC/905/SO Hamisu Samaila APC M Elected
906 Rabah SC/906/SO Abdullahi Alhaji Zakari APC M Elected
907 Sabon Birni North SC/907/SO Almustapha Aminu Gobir APC M Elected
908 Sabon Birni South SC/908/SO Ibrahim Saidu Naino APC M Elected
909 Shagari SC/909/SO Mohammed Shagari Masa’ud PDP M Elected

480
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

910 Silame SC/910/SO Liman Atiku PDP M Elected

911 Sokoto North I SC/911/SO Haliru Buhari PDP M Elected
912 Sokoto North II SC/912/SO Tukur Faru Hussaini APC M Elected
913 Sokoto South I SC/913/SO Abdullahi Mustapha APC M Elected
914 Sokoto South II SC/914/SO Gidado Aminu Garba APC M Elected
915 Tambuwal West SC/915/SO Hantsi Sule Romo PDP M Elected
916 Tambuwal East SC/916/SO Isah Bashar PDP M Elected
917 Tangaza SC/917/SO Aliyu Lomo Usman APC M Elected
918 Tureta SC/918/SO Muhammed Randa Abdullahi PDP M Elected
919 Wamakko SC/919/SO Lamido Abubakar APC M Elected
920 Wurno SC/920/SO Aliyu Shamsu APC M Elected
921 Yabo SC/921/SO Shehu Yabo Abubakar APC M Elected
Taraba 922 Bali I SC/922/TR Alhassan Veronica PDP F Elected
24 923 Bali II SC/923/TR Abdullahi Hamman Adama Borkono PDP M Elected
924 Gassol I SC/924/TR Abdullahi Musa Abubakar APC M Elected
925 Gassol II SC/925/TR Abdullahi (Chul) Musa PDP M Elected
926 Jalingo I SC/926/TR Adamu Umar NNPP M Elected
927 Jalingo II SC/927/TR Mairiga Usman Uba APC M Elected
928 Ardo-Kola SC/928/TR Shonruba Happy Joshua PDP M Elected
929 Takum I SC/929/TR Tanko-Yusuf Abubakar John PDP M Elected
930 Kashimbila (Takum II) SC/930/TR Lamba John PDP M Elected
931 Ussa/Likam SC/931/TR Rikupki Joshua Urenyang APC M Elected
932 Gembu (Sardauna I) SC/932/TR Suleiman T. Abdul-Azeez Tanko APC M Elected

481
 REPORT OF THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION

933 Nguroje SC/933/TR Cyprain Nelson Len PDP M Elected

934 Mbamnga SC/934/TR Peter Abel Diah APC M Elected
935 Kurmi SC/935/TR Tafarki Agbadu Eneme PDP M Elected
936 Zing SC/936/TR Bonzena Kizito John PDP M Elected
937 Karim Lamido I SC/937/TR Mike Dio M.M. Jen PDP M Elected
938 Karim Lamido II SC/938/TR Shuaibu Anas APGA M Elected
939 Wukari I SC/939/TR Zikengyu Yakubu Jethro PDP M Elected
940 Wukari II SC/940/TR Angye Josiah Yaro PDP M Elected
941 Ibi SC/941/TR Sanusi Zakari NNPP M Elected
942 Donda SC/942/TR Bibonga Dinkomiya Nulamuga APC M Elected
943 Gashaka SC/943/TR Muhammad Batulu Kaltume APC F Elected
944 Lau SC/944/TR Akila Nuhu Rantiyo PDP M Elected
945 Yorro SC/945/TR Kassong Kannoh Joseph SDP M Elected
Yobe 946 Bade East SC/946/YB Sadiq Yahaya PDP M Elelcted
24 947 Bade West SC/947/YB Karabade Sanda APC M Elelcted
948 Bursari SC/948/YB Zanna Baba Gana APC M Elelcted
949 Damaturu I SC/949/YB Hassan Yusuf Nasiru APC M Elelcted
950 Damaturu II SC/950/YB Ibrahim Buba APC M Elelcted
951 Fika/Ngalda SC/951/YB Suleiman Yakubu Maluri APC M Elected
952 Goya/Ngeji SC/952/YB Sani Ishaku Audu APC M Elected
953 Damagum SC/953/YB Digma Gana Maina APC
954 Jajere SC/954/YB Buba Chiroma A. APC M Elelcted
955 Geidam South SC/955/YB Ali Mohammed APC M Elelcted

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956 Geidam North SC/956/YB Mustapha Alhaji Bukar APC M Elected

957 Gujba SC/957/YB Bukar Bulama APC M Elelcted
958 Gulani SC/958/YB Zannani Bularaba Bunu APC M Elected
959 Jakusko SC/959/YB Yau Usman Dachia APC M Elected
960 Karasuwa SC/960/YB Dala Dogo Adamu APC M Elected
961 Machina SC/961/YB Maina Kachalla Saminu APC M Elected
962 Nangere SC/962/YB Lawan Musa Saminu APC M Elected
963 Nguru I SC/963/YB Inuwa Lawan Sani APC M Elected
964 Nguru II SC/964/YB Lawan Musa PDP M Elected
965 Potiskum Town SC/965/YB Adamu Ahmed APC M Elected
966 Mamudo SC/966/YB Isah Muhammad Bello APC M Elected
967 Tarmuwa SC/967/YB Maina Buba Saleh APC M Elected
968 Yunusari I SC/968/YB Musa Ahmed Dumbol APC M Elected
969 Yusufari II SC/969/YB Mohammed Hassan APC M Elected
Zamfara 970 Kaura Namoda North SC/970/ZF Nasir Mukhtar PDP M Elected
24 971 Kaura Namoda South SC/971/ZF Ibrahim Aminu APC M Elected
972 Birnin Magaji SC/972/ZF Dahiru Nura APC M Elected
973 Zurmi East SC/973/ZF Abdullahi Haliru Kuturu PDP M Elected
974 Zurmi West SC/974/ZF Ismail Bilyaminu PDP M Elected
975 Shinkafi SC/975/ZF Aliyu Usman Mahmud APC M Elected
976 Tsafe East SC/976/ZF Muhammed Bello PDP M Elected
977 Tsafe West SC/977/ZF Ahmed Amiru PDP M Elected
978 Gusau West SC/978/ZF Wambai Ibrahim Ibrahim PDP M Elected

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979 Gusau East SC/979/ZF Ibrahim Garba Liman PDP M Elected

980 Bungudu East SC/980/ZF Yakubu Almajir PDP M Elected
981 Bungudu West SC/981/ZF Bello Basiru PDP M Elected
982 Maru North SC/982/ZF Abdullahi Nasiru PDP M Elected
983 Maru South SC/983/ZF Mikailu Kabiru Dangulbi PDP M Elected
984 Anka SC/984/ZF Marafa Rilwanu PDP M Elected
985 Talata Mafara North SC/985/ZF Hassan Shamsudeen APC M Elected
986 Talata Mafara South SC/986/ZF Ango Aliyu Kangara APC M Elected
987 Bakura SC/987/ZF Tukur Tudu Ibrahim APC M Elected
988 Maradun I SC/988/ZF Musa Faruk APC M Elected
989 Maradun II SC/989/ZF Mahrazu Salisu PDP M Elected
990 Gummi I SC/990/ZF Aliyu Bashar PDP M Elected
991 Gummi II SC/991/ZF Adamu Aliyu PDP M Elected
992 Bukkuyum North SC/992/ZF Abubakar Bashir PDP M Elected
993 Bukkuyum South SC/993/ZF A Faru Hamisu PDP M Elected

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Annexure 7: Illustration of Election Results

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