IReV: INEC explains why result portal has been slow, calls for calm

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has provided explanations on why its result viewing portal, otherwise known as the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV), has been slow since the commencement of the 2023 general elections.

This comes amid series of complaints by Nigerians over the inability of INEC officials to upload election results from polling units on the portal, leading to suspicion of manipulation of results.

However, INEC's National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, debunked the insinuations in a statement issued on Sunday, February 26, 2023.

He said INEC was aware that the portal has been slow, a problem he attributed to some technical glitches that occurred during the process of upgrading the platform for "managing off-season, State elections, to one for managing nationwide general elections."

The commission, thereby, assured Nigerians that, contrary to the rumours making the rounds, the glitches had nothing to do with any act of sabotage or intrusion of its systems as the IReV portal remains secure.

The statement read: "The Commission is aware of challenges with the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV). Unlike in offseason elections where the portal was used, it has been relatively slow and unsteady. The Commission regrets this setback, especially because of the importance of IReV in our results management process.

"The problem is totally due to technical hitches related to scaling up the IReV from a platform for managing off-season, State elections, to one for managing nationwide general elections. It is indeed not unusual for glitches to occur and be corrected in such situations.

"Consequently, the Commission wishes to assure Nigerians that the challenges are not due to any intrusion or sabotage of our systems, and that the IReV remains well-secured.

"Our technical team is working assiduously to solve all the outstanding problems, and users of the IReV would have noticed improvements since last night.

"We also wish to assure Nigerians that results from the Polling Unit copies of which were issued to political parties, are safe on both the BVAS and the IRe portal. These results cannot be tampered with and any discrepancy between them and the physical results used in collation will be thoroughly investigated and remediated, in line with Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022.

"While we fully appreciate the concerns of the public on this situation and welcome various suggestions that we have received from concerned Nigerians, it is important to avoid statements and actions that can heat up the polity at this time or promote disaffection towards the Commission.

"We take full responsibility for the problems and regret the distress that they have caused the candidates, political parties and the electorate."