Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to release new regulations to clarify Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022, which empowers the commission to review election results declared under questionable circumstances.
Gatekeepers News reports that INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu made this announcement during a consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.
According to Yakubu, the commission is concerned about the varied interpretations given to Section 65, which allows INEC to review election results within seven days if the returning officer made an illegal return under duress.
“We are 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,” Yakubu said.
“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.”
Yakubu also emphasised the importance of RECs taking ownership of electoral processes in their states, stating, “You are full-time commissioners and should already be implementing existing policies.”
He called for intensified efforts in staff training, stakeholder engagement, logistics planning, and security coordination.
The INEC chair welcomed six new RECs, expressing delight that all states and the FCT now have commissioners. He added that the success of future elections depends on the commitment and initiative of the RECs.
