Ex-INEC Commissioner Blames Returning, Collation Officers for Electoral Irregularities

A former National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr. Mustapha Lecky, has identified returning and collation officers as the major cause of Nigeria’s election controversies.

Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme on Thursday, Lecky said these officials are responsible for much of the “avoidable drama” that often taints the electoral process and damages INEC’s credibility.

According to him, the commission’s reputation has been largely undermined by the conduct of some of its temporary staff during the collation and declaration of election results.

“The incoming chairman should have zero tolerance for election infractions — whether at the political party level or among INEC staff,” he said.
“I have an issue with returning and collation officers. They mess up elections in Nigeria. They are mostly responsible for the bad reputation of INEC because of the avoidable drama during collation and declaration.”

Lecky urged INEC to adopt a new strategy for managing the collation and declaration process, stressing that reforms in this area are crucial to improving electoral transparency and public trust.

His comments come amid ongoing discussions about the need for electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections, following widespread criticism of the collation process in previous polls.