Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, says the Commission is concerned about the misinterpretations given to the provision of Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 as it relates to results declaration, a document the Commission is in the process of reviewing for clarity.
Professor Mahmood who disclosed this during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs, from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, at the commissions headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, said that as the commission approaches 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.
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”.
RECs as critical election managers
The INEC Chairman reminded the RECs that their work does not begin as the general election approaches; rather they should intensify efforts at implementing policy and procedural issues already determined by the Commission without prompting from the Headquarters in Abuja.
“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”.
He said that as managers of personnel and resources who are critical for success as they supervise elections and electoral activities in all States of the Federation, their role is critical.
“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”.
Bye- Elections
He informed the RECs that dates have been announced for a number of elections and electoral activities for the next one year (16th August 2025 to 8th August 2026), as the Commission holds five major elections.
“These are the bye-elections in 12 States of the Federation on 16th August 2025, the Anambra State Governorship election on 8th November 2025, the Area Council elections in the FCT on 21st February 2026, the Ekiti Governorship election on 20th June 2026 and the 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”.
CVR
Professor Mahmood Yakubu said the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will resume 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”.
The INEC Chairman used the opportunity to welcome Resident Electoral Commissioners attending the regular consultative meeting for the first time.