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2023 Election Results not Affected by Technical Glitch – INEC

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the glitch experienced in uploading the result of the 2023 presidential election to its results viewing portal, didn’t affect the credibility of the election.

The commission stated this in the comprehensive 2023 General Election Report released on Friday in Abuja, saying that the 2023 general election was generally peaceful and orderly nationwide.

It however, said that a key challenge that impacted on the public perception of the election and elicited widespread commentary was the failure to upload Polling Unit (PU) results of the presidential election to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal in real-time at the close of the polls on Saturday Feb.

25, 2023.

INEC described IReV portal as one of the most significant innovations introduced prior to the 2023 general election to promote the integrity and transparency of the electoral process, showing the images of the original Polling Unit result sheets as recorded in Form EC8A.

The system was first deployed during Nasarawa Central State Constituency by election in August 2020 and tested in 105 subsequent elections, including three off-cycle governorship election.

The report said that the system had tremendously improved public confidence in the integrity and transparency of the Commission’s result management process.

It however, said that challenge of uploading the PU presidential election results on the IReV after the presidential and National Assembly election on Feb. 25, 2023 was unique.

It stated that the commission began to receive reports around 4p. m., across the country that attempts to upload presidential election result sheets was failing.

“Following these reports, the Commission immediately engaged with its field officials for details in order to understand, and trace the origin, source, scale and magnitude of the problem across the result management ecosystem to devise appropriate solutions.

“In the troubleshooting process, it was established that there was no issue in uploading the PU result sheets of the Senate and House of Representatives elections through the Election Result Modules.

“However, there was a problem with uploading the presidential election results to the system,” it stated.

The report added that attempts to upload the results were generating internal server errors, which refer to a significant impairment that usually originate from within an application due to problems relating to configuration, permissions, or failure to create or access application resources correctly.

“Further interrogation of the Election Result Modules indicated that the system is encountering an unexpected configuration problem in mapping the presidential election results uploaded into the system to the participating Polling Units.

“Due to the complex, sensitive and critical nature of the systems and the real potential for malicious cyberattacks, the commission immediately put in place several strict security and audit control measures to prevent any unfettered or elevated access to the result upload system.

“In the process of resolving the challenge, it was discovered that the backend system of the IReV was able to query and detect the base States for uploading the PU result sheets.

“Based on the mapping of all Senatorial District and Federal Constituency elections to the respective 36 States of the Federation and the FCT as established in the database structure deployed within the system.”

“In configuring and mapping the election results for the presidential and NASS elections, the Commission created 470 election types consisting of one presidential constituency covering the entire country, 109 Senatorial Districts and 360 Federal Constituencies.

“Each Senatorial District and Federal Constituency election on the database was mapped to their respective States.

“However, the presidential election result is a single, countrywide constituency and therefore, does not belong to any one state.

“Consequently, while the uploads for the NASS elections succeeded as the application was able to identify the respective State and build the folder hierarchy for the results organisation process for the election, attempts to upload the presidential election results sheets, which does not belong to or mapped to any state on the database, failed”.

“Instead, it returned a HTTP server error response. This failure is attributable to the inability of the application to create and build a folder structure to organize the uploaded images of the result sheets of the presidential election.”

The report said that having identified and established the source of the problem, INEC quickly created and deployed “Hotfixes” which were software updates for fixing a bug or any vulnerabilities in a system.

It added that the deployed hotfixes eventually resolved the HTTP error on the system and the first presidential election result sheet was successfully uploaded at 8.55pm on the of Feb. 25, 2023.

“After the problem with the upload was resolved, the Commission noticed a high volume of uploads on the queue.

“All results that scanned but could not be uploaded due to the error were queued waiting to be automatically processed.

“Due to the large volume and high traffic from the queue, the system was running slower, even though it tried to scale up automatically to handle the unanticipated heavy traffic.

“The density of the traffic that slowed the uploads was one issue. Another was that the offline queue requires the BVAS devices to be switched-on and connected to the internet for the upload.”

“However, some of the POs had at the time left their PUs, and the devices had either been switched-off, or were out of internet coverage. Switched-off devices could not connect and upload the results sheets.

“The Commission had to reach out to the POs of affected areas to switch-on their systems and ensure internet connectivity for the uploads to continue.

“This accounted for the delay, with some of the results coming in the next day.”

It added that the glitch experienced in uploading the scanned images of PU presidential election result sheets on the election day was due to the inherent complexity within the system, which was difficult to anticipate and mitigate.

The report stated that thereafter, INEC made improvements on the IReV and taken additional steps to build more resilience.

It stated that INEC also undertook additional checks to ensure the stability and optimal operation and performance of the IReV portal.

It added that additional quality assurance checks are now done to complement the end-to-end testing of the entire result upload ecosystem before the conduct of any election.

“However, the glitch in the upload of the presidential result sheets to IReV did not affect the credibility of the election.

“Agents of political parties and security agencies were given copies of the polling unit results after they were announced in public.

“The results were also displayed at polling units for scrutiny by voters. Therefore, when they were eventually uploaded, it was easy to compare them with the copies displayed at polling units and given to the party agents and party officials, “ it stated.

It also said that the 2023 general election produced the most diverse outcome in recent Nigerian electoral history in terms of party representation in executive and legislative elections nationwide.

The report indicated that four political parties produced state governors, seven secured senatorial seats, eight won federal constituencies and nine in state seats.

It stated that a granular analysis of the results and performance of the leading parties across the country affirmed the diversity.

It added that performance of the four leading political parties – APC, LP, PDP and NNPP – in the presidential election across the six zones in respect of the required 25 per cent threshold to win a state in a presidential election as shown in table 9.6.

This, the report said, clearly attested to the integrity of both the process and outcome.

According to the table in the North Central; the APC scored North Central 1,760,993 votes representing 38.58 per cent, while the LP scored 1,415,557 votes representing 31.01 per cent.

Also within the geopolitical zone, PDP polled 1,162,087 votes representing 25.46 percent, while NNPP polled 60,056 votes representing 1.32 per cent.

The table also shown that in the North East APC polled 1,002,577 votes (29.16 per cent),LP-209,459 votes (6.09 per cent), PDP -1,741,846 votes (50.67 per cent), and NNP- 126,343 votes (3.67 per cent).

In the North West, APC scored 2,641,306 votes (39.54 per cent), LP-350,182 votes (5.24 per cent), PDP-2,329,540 votes (34.87 per cent), and NNPP-1,268,250 (18.98 per cent).

For South East it also indicated that APC polled 127,605 votes (5.71 per cent), LP-1,960,589 (87.79 per cent), PDP-91,198 (4.08 per cent) and NNPP-8,227 (0.37 per cent).

In the South-South APC garnered 799,957 votes (27.99 per cent) LP-1,210,675 votes (42.37 per cent), PDP -717,908 votes (25.12 per cent), while NNPP scored 17,167 votes (representing 0.60 per cent).

For the South West, the table also indicated that APC got 2,279,407 votes ( 53.59 per cent), LP- 849,423 votes (19.97 per cent) , PDP-941,941 votes (22.14 per cent), and NNPP 16,644 votes (0.39 per cent)(NAN

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Ewhrudjakpo Commends CCN’s Intervention Programmes, Pledges Support

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From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Bayelsa State government has commended the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) for propagating the teachings of Jesus Christ and its intervention programmes towards providing succour to people affected by natural disasters.The Deputy Governor, Sen.

Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo gave the commendation recently when the Christian Council of Nigeria, South-South zone, paid him a courtesy call in Government House, Yenagoa.
He expressed delight that the CCN had offered to support the state’s development initiatives which he described as laudable and also congratulated the new South-South Zone executive members of the foremost Christian organisation in the country on their election.
Ewhrudjakpo implored the current executives to make a difference by consolidating on the gains of their predecessors and demonstrate exemplary leadership, stressing that true leaders respond to the yearnings and aspirations of the people.Commenting on the interaction between the church and society, the deputy governor expressed displeasure over the church’s inability to adequately play the role of catering to the welfare of the less privileged.According to him, the churches should not place unnecessary burden on their adherents but allow them to make free will donations to support their programmes and projects.He also frowned at the practice whereby the church now placed more emphasis on materialism to the detriment of spiritual wellbeing as exemplified in the scriptures which enjoin humanity “to seek first the kingdom of God and all other things shall be added unto them.”Ewhrudjakpo further noted that one of the major concerns of the church should be about attracting people to the word of God for redemption and salvation as well as taking care of the needy.On the CCN’s request for land in Bayelsa, he expressed the government’s willingness to provide land for the purpose of establishing the National Research institute for the South-South zone.In their presentations, the National General Secretary of CCN, Rt. Rev. Evans Onyemara, and the South-South Zonal Chairman, Rev. Dr Jonathan Ihwighwu, said they were in the state to hold a zonal meeting as well as inaugurate the new executive of the CCN, South-South zone.Rt Rev Onyemara explained that aside from its evangelical mission, the CCN also provides humanitarian services and assists in developmental issues.He added that in 2022, the General Assembly of the CCN resolved that the South-South zone should establish what it called, the Institute of Church and Society and appealed to the state government to provide land for the building of a national research institute in Bayelsa for the South-South zone.The Bayelsa State Chairman of CCN, who is also the Bishop of the Northern Izon Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt Rev. Funkuro Amgbari, that of Rivers State, Rev Dr Innocent Ordu and their Akwa Ibom, Delta, Cross River and Edo counterparts accompanied the Zonal Chairman on the visit.The Highlight of the visit was the offering of prayers for Governor Douye Diri, Senator Ewhrudjakpo and the entire government and people of Bayelsa.

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Blue Economy: Bayelsa Woos Investors in Sector’s Huge Potential

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From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Bayelsa State Government has again indicated its determination for effective collaboration with reputable individuals and firms to harness the abundant resources in the Blue Economy sector of the state.The Deputy Governor, Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, indicated the state’s readiness at a dinner organized by the state government in honour of participants of the Senior Executive Course(SEC) 47, 2025 of the National Institute For Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Yenagoa, at the weekend.

Ewhrudjakpo, described Bayelsa as a state richly endowed with not only oil and gas but also huge marine resources as low hanging fruits waiting for investors to pluck.
To this end, he called on private and other corporate investors to look at Bayelsa for new investment opportunities in the blue economy sector, especially in the area of developing a deep sea port.He also reiterated the foresightedness of the present Bayelsa State Government in establishing a ministry of marine and blue economy, and assured prospective investors of the safety of their investments in the state.The Deputy Governor urged the participants of the Senior Executive Course 47 to act as ambassadors of Bayelsa and tell the world about the potentialities of Bayelsa in the blue economy sector.Ewhrudjakpo equally implored the team to make its report available to the state government in good time, stressing that Bayelsa was looking forward to the outcome of their study in the state believing it will help in the development of the sector.His words: “We are happy that you are happy. We are here to round off what we started some few days ago. As we all know, everything that has a beginning must have an end.”We believe that in Bayelsa we have the potential for a vibrant marine and blue economy. That is why the present administration created a separate full-fledged ministry to oversee that critical sector. We are the first state to do so in the country.”Just as oil and gas, the marine and blue economy is also very important to us. And so, we are looking forward to the outcome of your study so we can see what we can achieve with it in the area of blue economy.”We want you to be our ambassadors and tell other people that Bayelsa is investment friendly. Bayelsa is also very safe for investment.”For the participants, I believe that your coming today will add to our thinking capacity and we are open to all the critiques that will come with it.”Earlier in his opening remarks, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, lauded participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47, 2025 for their choice of Bayelsa and the discipline they all exhibited throughout the period of the study tour.Prof Ayawei, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, SSG’s Office, Mr Felix Asingbi, expressed optimism that their visit will open up opportunities for the state to make progress in the development of its blue economy potential.Also speaking, the Leader of the NIPSS Study Team, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Umar, commended the Bayelsa State government for what he described as exceptional hospitality accorded to members of the team.He said going round the state enabled the team to have first-hand knowledge of Bayelsa’s huge potential in the blue economy sector, and urged the government to vigorously pursue the development of the sector.

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Delta Warns Contractors over Substandard Projects, Vows Sanctions for Negligence

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From Francis Sadhere, Delta

The Delta State Government has issued a stern warning to contractors handling state-funded projects, emphasizing that it will not tolerate substandard work, negligence, or any form of misappropriation.Speaking on the government’s renewed commitment to infrastructure accountability, a senior official of the state’s project oversight agency stressed that effective monitoring and reporting mechanisms have been put in place to track the progress and quality of ongoing projects across the state.

He stated that the state will take decisive action against any contractor found delivering poor-quality work or engaging in sharp practices, noting that public funds must be judiciously used for the benefit of the people.
”Let me make it clear: any contractor who fails to meet the standards expected of them or attempts to cut corners will face the full weight of the law. This administration is determined to deliver projects that will stand the test of time,” the official said.The agency, according to him, is actively inspecting projects to ensure they align with contractual specifications and timelines, adding that erring contractors risk sanctions ranging from blacklisting to legal action.This move comes as part of the state’s broader effort to promote transparency, accountability and value for money in all government undertakings.Residents have welcomed the warning, urging the government to match words with action and ensure no contractor goes unpunished for delivering substandard work.

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