INEC Reflects on Diverse Outcomes of 2023 General Election
In a recent meeting held at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, along with other commission members, engaged in a detailed discussion with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs). The purpose of the meeting was to reflect on the just concluded 2023 General Election, acknowledging the various opinions surrounding its outcome.
According to a statement posted on the official INEC Nigeria Twitter handle, the commission emphasized that the election was a fair representation of Nigeria’s complex multi-party democracy. A total of 1,491 constituencies participated in the elections, encompassing one Presidential, 28 Governorship, 109 Senatorial, 360 Federal Constituencies, and 993 State Assembly seats.
The records of the election results revealed an unprecedented level of diversity. The statement highlighted that five political parties successfully produced State Governors, seven parties secured Senatorial seats, eight parties gained representation in the House of Representatives, and nine parties obtained seats in State Houses of Assembly. This diversity showcases that the 10th National Assembly is the most varied in terms of party representation since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
The statement further emphasized that the era of single-party dominance in Nigerian politics might be gradually fading away. In several states across the country, different political parties now hold control over the legislative and executive branches of government. The election results also witnessed prominent candidates losing in the constituencies they contested, and political parties failing to secure victory in some of their presumed strongholds.
While there may be differing opinions on the election’s outcome, INEC’s statement suggests that the diverse results signify progress towards a more inclusive and competitive democratic system in Nigeria. The commission intends to continue working diligently to ensure the transparency, credibility, and fairness of future elections, fostering an environment where the will of the people can be accurately expressed through the ballot box.
Yabman (
)
