2023 Elections: CISLAC calls on INEC to clear air on ‘manual collation’ rumour



By Abiodun Azi

The Civil Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has said that it was seriously worried by the ongoing rumour making across the media.

Through a statement attributed to Festus Okoye, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s National Commissioner, has stated the results of the general elections in 2023 will be manually collated.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Executive Director of CISLAC,
Auwal Musa (Rafsanjani) on Sunday.

Rafsanjani said that CISLAC recalled that well-meaning Nigerians and Civil Society groups had supported INEC in overcoming hurdles.

"Pushing for the amendment and Presidential assent into the Electoral Act, primarily to integrate the Electronic Voting System in all electoral processes, to enhance electoral integrity, credibility and transparency in the country.



"We at the same time not unaware that some unpatriotic citizens, who constituted themselves as powerful forces would neither support the amendment nor electoral reform.

"As they preyed on the weak Electoral Law and process in securing votes through electoral fraud, vote-buying/trading, multiple voting, vote-forgery, and money laundering.



"CISLAC without hesitation reiterates that it would not sit back and watch a major damage to the Nigerian electoral integrity.

"Or potential violation of sanity and sanctity of the Electoral (Amendment) Act, giving the prospects and values it holds to deliver transparency, credibility and integrity of the electoral process and outcomes.



"We on this note call on INEC to clear air and give accurate position on the rumour to preserve citizens’ confidence, while preventing the looming distrust in the upcoming 2023 general elections" he said.



Rafsanjani said that CISLAC would continue to work with INEC to ensure electoral credibility and integrity in the 2023 elections and beyond.