INEC Set To Release New Guidelines On Result Reviews, To Clarify Electoral Act
•By Admin
ABUJA – THE Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has expressed concern over the inconsistent interpretations of Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022, which pertains to the process of reviewing election results.
As Nigeria gears up for bye-elections, off-cycle governorship elections, and the 2027 general polls, the Commission is preparing supplementary regulations to provide clearer directives on the review and reversal of election declarations and results.
Addressing Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) during the Commission’s second quarterly meeting in Abuja, Prof. Yakubu stressed the importance of accountability and commitment in the execution of their duties, noting that their responsibilities extend well beyond the conduct of general elections.
He stated: “In accordance with our mandate to issue regulations, guidelines, and manuals that give effect to the provisions of the Electoral Act, the Commission is finalizing a supplement to the 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections to clarify procedures for reviewing declarations and returns.
“We expect to finalize and publish the supplementary document on our website and other platforms shortly, possibly within the week, to ensure transparency and public accessibility.”
Yakubu acknowledged that INEC now has a full complement of RECs across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), but reminded them that their work is continuous and not seasonal.
“You are full-time Commissioners. Your role is not to wait until elections are around the corner. You are expected to drive implementation of established policies and procedures without waiting for directives from Abuja,” he said.
He urged RECs to take initiative in staff training and ensure that their teams are well-versed in the Commission’s latest innovations aimed at enhancing electoral operations.
“You don’t require elaborate conferences to train your staff. Focus on building their capacity in-house and ensure they are updated on new practices that promote credible electoral service delivery,” he added.
Prof. Yakubu also tasked the RECs with actively working to decongest overcrowded polling units, clean the voters’ register, improve logistics and enhance security measures for upcoming elections.
“As key managers of personnel and materials in your respective states, your effectiveness is critical. Your performance will impact the credibility of elections, and I urge you to remain knowledgeable, proactive and fully committed.”
He announced that the Commission had already scheduled five major elections within the next year, starting with bye-elections in 12 states on August 16, 2025. This will be followed by the Anambra State Governorship election on November 8, 2025; the FCT Area Council elections on February 21, 2026; the Ekiti Governorship poll on June 20, 2026; and the Osun Governorship election on August 8, 2026.
Yakubu said timetables and schedules for these polls have been released, with some activities already in motion, including campaign commencement in Anambra, publication of election notice in Ekiti, and conclusion of party primaries for the FCT polls.
On voter registration, the INEC boss disclosed that the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise would resume nationwide on August 18, 2025, for online pre-registration, and on August 25, 2025, for in-person registration.
“In Anambra State, however, CVR will resume earlier, next week, and will take place across all 326 wards in the state,” he said. “This is to ensure the voters’ register is finalized not later than 90 days before the governorship election, in line with the law.”
Prof. Yakubu concluded by affirming that further details on the CVR implementation strategy would be shared during the meeting, while the Commission has already published the full timetable and registration locations for public awareness.
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