The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has announced that the results of 19 BECE candidates have been cancelled for using mobile phones in the examination hall.

Also, the subject results of 173 candidates have been cancelled for sending foreign materials into the examination hall.

“2,497 subject results have been withheld pending the conclusion of investigations into alleged examination malpractice. The withheld subject results will either be released or cancelled as soon as the Council concludes its investigations,” the exams regulation body said in a statement.

A total of 517,331 candidates made up of 263,602 males and 253,729 females participated in the examination.

“This figure is 1.47% higher than that of the previous year. The candidates were from a total of 16,871 schools and the examination was administered at 1800 centres,” WAEC said.