Former INEC Boss Attahiru Jega Calls for Probe Over iREV’s Failure During 2023 Polls
- Professor Attahiru Jega has given his take on the failure and malfunction of the result viewing portal (IReV) during the 2023 elections
- The former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) blamed desperate politicians for the glitch
- The 67-year-old former electoral umpire, during an interview on national television, called for a probe into the matter
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Legit.ng journalist Segun Adeyemi has over 9 years of experience covering political events, civil societies, courts, and metro
FCT, Abuja - Former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Attahiru Jega has called for an investigation into the malfunction of the result viewing portal (IReV) during the 2023 elections.
Jega made this statement on Friday, January 26, during an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels Television.
Source: Getty Images
On February 25, 2023, the commission faced difficulties uploading presidential election results promptly on the portal, violating section 60 of the Electoral Act 2022.
The manual collation of results and the announcement of winners sparked protests from political parties.
Jega blames politicians for iREV malfunction
Jega suggested that despite INEC's efforts, there may have been interference from desperate politicians within the IReV system.
As quoted by The Cable, Jega said:
“If you ask my opinion, I feel very strongly that INEC needs to tell us more about what happened with the IReV.
“In fact, at one point, I was even calling for a thorough public inquiry about what happened with regards to IReV.
“I feel that something has happened, that in spite of the confidence and the very articulate manner the INEC chairman (Mahmood Yakubu) had spoken about the IReV, it then failed.
“I believe that some of our reckless politicians may have infiltrated it and truncated it but INEC will take the blame for that.”
After resolving the court cases, Jega emphasised that INEC must thoroughly investigate the IReV issues.
Reacting to Jega's call for an investigation on the failure of iREV at the 2023 polls, an experienced election observer and former communications officer at Yiaga Africa, Moshood Isah, said he's shocked that the electoral body is yet to probe the matter.
In a brief chat with Legit.ng, he said:
"It is shocking that the Election Management Body barely took any action as regards the failure of the IREV during the 2023 Presidential elections.
"One year on, the commission is yet to tell Nigerians the cause of the glitch and persons responsible for dashing the Hope of Nigerians who had looked up to the IREV for some level of transparency."
He further stated that the silence of the electoral body was a clear indication that Nigerians should expect a reoccurrence of the same issue in coming elections.
Jega rates 2023 general elections
In another similar report, Prof. Jega has given his candid thoughts about the 2023 general elections.
Jega said the 2023 general elections across the 36 states were “credible in many substantial aspects.”
He said politicians played a direct role in the areas where there were severe challenges and should be blamed for that.
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Source: Legit.ng
