Reiterating the need for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to comply with provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) and other extant rules, the rights commission cautioned that non-compliance would result in dire consequence.
The advice was given at a briefing on review of NHRC’s 2023 elections and human rights situation in Abuja.
The Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu (SAN) warned that people might gradually lose faith in the system on account of non-compliance with relevant laws and rules guiding conduct of elections.
He said it was unacceptable to transmit results manually when the law prescribed electronic transmission, adding that manual and electronic upload should go simultaneously.
Ojukwu charged Nigerians to be patient with the process, saying a new portal is now open, where results are being uploaded.
According to him, it is gladdening that following the outcry of the people, INEC has now found an alternative to the manual upload of results in compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act.
He, however, urged the citizens to scream if they found any discrepancy between the original sheet and the uploaded one.
The NHRC boss added that the law clearly expected results to be transmitted, and must be obeyed to restore confidence of the people in the entire process.
In his remarks, Executive Director of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre and Coordinator of Transition Monitoring Group, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, criticised INEC’s silence for days, while the people complained about manual upload of results instead of electronic transmission as dictated by law.
