The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to issue a supplementary document to its 2022 Regulations and Guidelines to clarify procedures for reviewing election results, especially under Section 65 of the Electoral Act.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Tuesday during the second quarterly consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja.
The commission is gearing up for a packed electoral calendar, which includes five major elections within the next 13 months: by-elections in 12 states on 16 August 2025; the Anambra governorship election on 8 November 2025; Area Council elections in the FCT on 21 February 2026; the Ekiti governorship election on 20 June 2026; and the Osun governorship election on 8 August 2026.
Yakubu noted, “As we approach the by-elections, the off-cycle governorship elections, and ultimately the 2027 general election, the commission is concerned with the various interpretations 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, the commission is working on a supplement to the 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections to provide clarity on the review of declarations and returns at elections.
“As soon as the commission reaches a decision, possibly as early as this week, the supplementary regulations and guidelines will be uploaded to our website and other platforms for public information.”
He urged RECs to view their roles as ongoing responsibilities rather than activities limited to general elections, stressing that the success of Nigeria’s elections depends on consistent, year-round commitment at the state level.
“I wish to remind you that your work does not begin only as general elections approach. You are full-time commissioners. There are policy and procedural issues already determined by the commission which you must implement proactively,” Yakubu said.
He further encouraged RECs to intensify their efforts, stating that building the capacity of their staff does not require elaborate workshops, but ongoing training on new policies and innovations introduced by the commission.
Yakubu announced that Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will resume nationwide on 18 August for online pre-registration and on 25 August for in-person registration. However, in Anambra State—where a gubernatorial election is slated for November—CVR will start next week, taking place simultaneously in all 326 wards.
The meeting also welcomed two new National Commissioners—Profs. Sunday Aja and Abdulrazak Yusuf—and six recently sworn-in RECs, four of whom attended the consultative meeting for the first time.
