INEC to Issue Supplementary Guidelines for Election Declaration,Review, Says Yakubu
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to introduce supplementary regulations and guidelines aimed at clarifying the procedures for declaring and reviewing election results.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this development on Monday, July 1, while addressing Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) from across the country at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to Yakubu, the new guidelines are being designed to address ambiguities surrounding Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022. This section empowers INEC to review any declaration or return made by a Returning Officer within seven days, especially where such decisions are believed to have been made involuntarily, unlawfully, or outside the provisions of the law and INEC guidelines.
The supplementary regulations are expected to provide clarity and consistency in how this legal provision is applied in future elections.
The INEC Chairman explained that the Commission has taken note of varying interpretations of Section 65 in recent elections, and the move to provide supplementary rules is part of broader efforts to enhance electoral transparency and legal certainty.
He stated that the new regulations will be published within the week and will be available on the Commission’s official website and other channels.
This development comes at a critical time, as INEC prepares for a string of upcoming elections. These include by-elections scheduled for August 16, 2025, in twelve states, the Anambra governorship election on November 8, 2025, and other major polls in 2026, such as the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections in February, the Ekiti governorship election in June, and the Osun governorship poll in August.
Professor Yakubu emphasized the Commission’s commitment to ensuring credible and transparent electoral processes and said the planned guidelines would go a long way in guiding INEC officials, political parties, and the general public on the proper procedures for the review of election declarations.
He also reiterated that the electoral body remains focused on strengthening the integrity of the electoral process through legal and administrative reforms, particularly in light of recent controversies and legal challenges that have surrounded some elections.
With these new regulations, INEC aims to standardize its internal processes and provide a clearer framework for addressing disputes that may arise from contested declarations or election outcomes.
