The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to release a supplementary document to its 2022 Regulations and Guidelines, aimed at clarifying procedures for reviewing election results—particularly under Section 65 of the Electoral Act.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, announced this during the commission’s second quarterly consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja on Tuesday.
He explained that the move is intended to address varying interpretations of Section 65, which deals with the review of declarations and returns made during elections.
“In line with our mandate to issue regulations, guidelines, and manuals to give effect to the Electoral Act, the commission is working on a supplement to the 2022 Guidelines to provide clarity on the review of declarations and returns,” Yakubu said.
He added that the document may be published as early as this week and will be made available on INEC’s website and other public platforms.
INEC is currently preparing for a busy electoral cycle, with five major elections scheduled over the next 13 months. These include by-elections in 12 states on August 16, 2025; the Anambra State governorship election on November 8, 2025; the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections on February 21, 2026; the Ekiti governorship election on June 20, 2026; and the Osun governorship election on August 8, 2026.
Prof. Yakubu urged Resident Electoral Commissioners to treat their responsibilities as continuous, not limited to general elections. He emphasized the importance of year-round planning and commitment at the state level, noting that the credibility of Nigeria’s elections depends on sustained efforts.
