The Electoral Commission has emphasised that the declaration of final results is hinged on processes that are enshrined in law.
In a press briefing on Sunday, December 8, 2024, the Director of Electoral Services, Benjamin Bano-Bio, detailed the process the ballot goes through before it gets to the National Collation Centre.
“From the Polling Stations, the pink sheets are sent to the Constituency Collation Centre and collated at that level. The Constituency Results Summary Sheets are also signed by the Returning Officer and the Party Agents, who are given copies of this form. A copy is then posted at the Constituency Collation Centre. From there, the results are sent to the Regional Collation Centres and collated in the full view of the party agents, who then sign and receive copies.
“A copy is also posted at the Regional Collation Centre. It is from there that the results are sent to the National Collation Centre via fax. Once received, the results are also collated in the full view of the Party Agents, who are here with us, and a copy is given to each agent present.
“The results from the National Collation Centre are also posted at the National Collation Centre. Once this is done, the Returning Officer for the Presidential Election, in the person of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, declares the winner of the Presidential Election.”
