The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has firmly denied allegations of discrepancies in the 2023 presidential election results, dismissing claims made by the Centre for Collaborative Investigative Journalism (CCIJ) as baseless.

In a letter dated August 7, 2024, the CCIJ had questioned the integrity of INEC’s announced figures, pointing to alleged inconsistencies between live broadcast results during the collation process and those later uploaded on INEC’s Result Viewing Portal. The group claimed that discrepancies existed in the number of cancelled polling units and affected voters, citing a difference between INEC’s public announcements and official reports.

However, INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, swiftly responded, asserting that the figures presented at the National Collation Centre were accurate and consistent with official records. He emphasized that no discrepancies existed between the announced results and those filed by polling officials.

Oyekanmi clarified that INEC followed strict protocols during the collation process, ensuring transparency and adherence to electoral guidelines. He also noted that party agents for accredited party had the opportunity to raise objections during the announcements, but none did so.

He also invited the CCIJ to provide specific details regarding the alleged discrepancies for further clarification, reiterating that INEC’s 2023 presidential election results are both official and authentic.

“The results presented by our 36 State Returning Officers and the Returning Officer for the FCT at the National Collation Centre, Abuja, are accurate and reflect the true outcome of the election,” Oyekanmi stated. He encouraged the public to access INEC’s comprehensive report on the 2023 general election on the commission’s website.