INEC To Issue Supplementary Guidelines Clarifying Section 65 Procedures, Prepares for Busy Electoral Cycle

INEC isnset to issue supplementary guidelines clarifying section 65 procedures.

 

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to release a supplementary document to its 2022 Regulations and Guidelines, aimed at clarifying the interpretation and application of Section 65 of the Electoral Act regarding the review of election results.

 

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the disclosure on Tuesday during the second quarterly consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

 

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According to Yakubu, the supplementary regulations will provide clearer guidance on procedures for reviewing declarations and returns in elections and are expected to be published imminently. “Perhaps as early as this week,” he noted, the new guidelines will be uploaded to the commission’s website and other official platforms for public access.

 

Electoral Calendar Packed with Key Elections

 

INEC is preparing for a packed electoral schedule over the next 13 months, which includes:

• By-elections in 12 states scheduled for August 16, 2025
• Anambra State Governorship Election on November 8, 2025
• FCT Area Council Elections on February 21, 2026
• Ekiti Governorship Election on June 20, 2026
• Osun Governorship Election on August 8, 2026

Yakubu highlighted the importance of proactive planning and implementation, especially with increased public scrutiny over the interpretation of Section 65 of the Electoral Act, which gives INEC the power to review election results.

RECs Urged to Be Proactive

The INEC Chairman called on RECs to see their roles as full-time responsibilities that extend beyond general elections. He reminded them of their central role in logistics, voter education, and enforcement of electoral policies at the state level.

“You are full-time commissioners,” Yakubu said. “Some of you are already doing well, but efforts must be intensified. Capacity building doesn’t require elaborate conferences. Implement reforms, train your staff, and stay engaged all year.”

He added that knowledge, commitment, and consistency are critical to delivering credible elections, noting that successful polls are the result of continuous stakeholder collaboration.

Continuous Voter Registration to Resume in August

INEC also announced that the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise will resume across the country, beginning with online pre-registration on August 18, followed by in-person registration on August 25.

However, in Anambra State, where a governorship election is due in November, the CVR will commence next week and will take place simultaneously in all 326 wards, to ensure ample voter participation.

New Appointments

The meeting welcomed two new National Commissioners, Prof. Sunday Aja and Prof. Abdulrazak Yusuf, along with six newly appointed RECs. Four of the new RECs participated in the quarterly consultative session for the first time.

Yakubu concluded the meeting by reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to electoral integrity, stating, “This is a multi-stakeholder responsibility. We must play our part more effectively.”