The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday said it would issue a supplementary regulation to clarify the review process for election results under Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022.
The commission stated that its intervention became necessary due to growing concerns over conflicting interpretations of the provision.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this during the second quarterly consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
“As we approach the bye-elections, the off-cycle governorship elections and ultimately the 2027 General Election, the commission is concerned with the various interpretations given to the provision of Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 on the review of election results.
“Pursuant to our powers to issue regulations, guidelines and manuals to give effect to the provisions of the Electoral Act and for its administration, the commission is working on a supplement to the Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2022 to provide clarity on the review of declaration and return at elections,” Yakubu said.
He added that the supplementary guidelines may be released as early as this week and will be made publicly available via INEC’s website and other official platforms.
This move comes as the commission prepares to conduct five major elections within the next year.
These include bye-elections across 12 states on August 16, 2025; the Anambra State governorship election on November 8, 2025; the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections on February 21, 2026; the Ekiti governorship election on June 20, 2026; and the Osun governorship election on August 8, 2026.
Yakubu revealed that political campaigns have officially commenced in Anambra, while notices of election and the conclusion of party primaries have been completed in Ekiti and the FCT, respectively.
Addressing the RECs, Yakubu stressed the importance of proactive engagement by state electoral officials in implementing INEC’s policies at the state level.
He said, “I wish to remind you that your work does not begin as the general election approaches. You are full-time commissioners. There are policy and procedural issues already determined by the commission, which you need to implement without prompting from the Headquarters in Abuja. Some of you are already doing so, but you need to intensify your effort.
“You do not need an elaborate conference or workshop to build the capacity of your staff to improve on their knowledge of new policies and practical innovations introduced by the commission to improve electoral service delivery to Nigerians.
“You also need to provide us with information on your plans to enhance voter access to polling units by decongesting some of them or in other areas such as the cleaning-up of the voters’ register, deepening our engagement with electoral stakeholders at State and Local Government levels, the management of electoral logistics and election security.
“I wish to remind you that elections and electoral activities take place in the states of the federation and your role as managers of personnel and resources is critical for success.
“You can only effectively discharge your responsibilities when you are knowledgeable and committed. I encourage you to intensify your effort so that we will play our part in what is a multi-stakeholder responsibility more effectively.”
The Guardian
