INEC to introduce fresh guidelines for reviewing election declarations, returns

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has raised concerns over the varying interpretations of Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022, which deals with the review of election results.

As the country prepares for upcoming bye-elections, off-cycle governorship polls, and the 2027 general election, Prof. Yakubu revealed that the Commission is working on supplementary regulations to guide the review of declarations and returns during elections.

Speaking during INEC’s second quarterly meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), the INEC boss urged them to take full responsibility for their roles, emphasizing that their duties go beyond just overseeing general elections.

He said, “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.

As soon as the Commission takes a decision, perhaps as early as this week, the supplementary Regulations and Guidelines will be uploaded to our website and other platforms for public information.”

Yakubu noted that the commission now has a full complement of RECs in all the states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He reminded them that their work does not begin only when general elections approach, stating, “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.”

He added that RECs do not need elaborate conferences or workshops to build the capacity of their staff, urging them to improve their knowledge of new policies and innovations introduced to enhance electoral service delivery.

He further said, “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.”

He said the Commission has announced dates for a number of elections and electoral activities.

For the next one year (16th August 2025 to 8th August 2026), it will hold five major elections: bye-elections in 12 states on 16th August 2025; the Anambra State Governorship election on 8th November 2025; Area Council elections in the FCT on 21st February 2026; Ekiti Governorship election on 20th June 2026; and Osun State Governorship election on 8th August 2026.

“The Commission has released the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for these elections and some of the activities have already been carried out, the latest being the commencement of campaign by Political Parties in Anambra State, the publication of the Notice of Election for the Ekiti State Governorship election and the conclusion of party primaries for the FCT Area Council elections.

“Turning to electoral activities, the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) resumes nationwide on 18th August for online pre-registration and 25th August 2025 for in-person registration.

However, the CVR in Anambra State will resume next week and will be held simultaneously in all the 326 Wards in the State.

This will enable the Commission to conclude the exercise and compile the new voters’ register not later than 90 days before the date fixed for the election as provided by law. You will be updated on the implementation plan at this meeting.

The detailed timetable and locations of the CVR have already been made public by the Commission.”