The Independent National Electoral Commission is planning to issue a supplementary document to its 2022 Regulations and Guidelines, to clarify procedures for reviewing election results, particularly under Section 65 of the Electoral Act.
The INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this at the second quarterly consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja on Tuesday.
The commission is preparing for a packed electoral calendar, including five major elections within the next 13 months.
These include by-elections in 12 states on August 16, 2025; the Anambra State governorship election on November 8, 2025; Area Council elections in the FCT on February 21, 2026; the Ekiti governorship election on June 20, 2026; and the Osun governorship election on August 8, 2026.
Yakubu stressed, “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 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.
“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,” the chair noted.
The INEC chairman also called on RECs to regard their duties as ongoing responsibilities rather than activities limited to general elections.
Yakubu emphasised the need for consistent commitment at the state level, noting that the success of Nigeria’s elections depends on year-round efforts.
He reminded the RECs that responsibility for effective logistics, voter engagement, and implementation of electoral reforms lies with them.
“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,” Yakubu stressed.
Yakubu emphasised that the RECs must be proactive, adding, “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.
“This is a multi-stakeholder responsibility. We must play our part more effectively,” he concluded.
The chairman also announced that Continuous Voter Registration will resume nationwide on August 18 for online pre-registration and on August 25 for in-person registration.
However, in Anambra State—where a gubernatorial election is due in November—the CVR will begin next week and will take place simultaneously in all 326 wards.
The meeting, held at INEC’s Abuja headquarters, also welcomed two new National Commissioners—Profs Sunday Aja and Abdulrazak Yusuf—as well as six recently sworn-in RECs.
Four of the new RECs attended the consultative meeting for the first time.
