INEC proposes fresh guidelines for review of election results

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to release supplementary regulations to guide the review of declarations and returns during elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during the second quarterly meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), where he also urged them to take full responsibility for their constitutional duties, emphasising that their role extends beyond the general elections.

Yakubu expressed concern over the varying interpretations of Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022, which grants INEC the authority to review election results already declared under certain circumstances.

However, the CVR in Anambra State will next week and will be conducted simultaneously in all 326 wards of 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,” Yakubu said.

He added that the detailed timetable and locations for the CVR have already been made public by the commission.

Yiaga Africa welcomes plan

The Executive Director of Yiaga Africa and Principal Partner at the Election Law Centre, Samson Itodo, yesterday described the planned issuance of supplementary guidelines for the review of election results under Section 65 of the Electoral Act as a welcome and long-overdue development.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Daily Trust last night, Itodo said the move aligned with Yiaga Africa’s longstanding advocacy since the 2023 general elections.

He noted that the new framework could help curb electoral malpractice and enhance transparency in Nigeria’s democratic process.

“From Yiaga Africa’s standpoint, this is a welcome development,” he said. “Since 2023, we’ve consistently called on INEC to issue detailed guidelines to operationalise Section 65 of the Electoral Act.

“Section 65 empowers the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to review results declared by returning officers where such declarations were made under duress or in violation of electoral law and guidelines.

“The entire process used to be subject to discretionary decision-making,” he said. “These new guidelines are crucial because they provide clarity on timelines—specifically, the seven-day period provided in the Electoral Act—and detail who can submit reports of alleged manipulation or noncompliance.”

According to him, the commission is developing a supplement to the current Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections (2022)to provide clearer direction on the review process.

“As we approach 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,” Yakubu 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.”

The INEC chairman noted that the commission had, in the previous week, held consultative meetings with leaders of political parties, civil society organisations (CSOs), the media, and the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

Yakubu also stated that all states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), now have substantive RECs in place.

“Instead of chasing shadows with amendments that centralize power at the national headquarters, INEC must prioritize the mandatory, immediate upload of election results to the IReV portal directly from polling units. This is the only path to ensuring every vote counts and the people’s mandate is protected,” the coalition said.

It called on the INEC to propose to the National Assembly a new framework that would allow all elections to be conducted on a single day.

“This will curb voter fatigue, eliminate apathy, and restore confidence in our democracy.

“The commission’s current trajectory only deepens public distrust and erodes the integrity of our electoral process,” the commission said.

It asked the INEC to abandon “deceptive reforms” and focus on building a transparent, credible and inclusive electoral system.

According to the coalition, Nigerians deserve an electoral process that reflects their will, not one manipulated by a select few.

“We will not stand idly by while our democracy is hijacked,” it added.

DAILY TRUST.