Inec to clarify actions about the Election Results Review

The Independent National Election Commission (Inec) has announced plans to issue additional regulations to provide clarity about the interpretation and application of section 65 of the Election of Law, 2022, relating to the review of the results of the election.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Chairperson of Inec, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, during the Consultative Meeting of the two commissions with the Population Election Commissioner (Recs) held at Inec headquarters in Abuja.

Professor Yakubu noted that the decision followed the increase in concerns over conflicting interpretations from Section 65, emphasizing the need to overcome ambiguity before the future election exercise.

“When we approached the BYE election, the governor election was outside the cycle, and finally the 2027 general election, the commission was related to various interpretations given to the provision of the 65 section of the 2022 Election Law on the Election Review,” Jacobu stated.

He confirmed that, under the constitutional power of Inec to issue regulations and guidelines for the election administration, additional documents for regulations and guidelines for the election will be released. This document is expected to clarify the review process for the declaration and return of results during the election.

Additional guidelines, he added, can be published this week and will be accessed on the Inec website and official communication channels.

Clarification comes at a critical time, with Inec it is regulated to carry out five main elections in the next 14 months. These include:

• BYE selection in 12 states is scheduled for August 16, 2025
• Election of the Governor of the State Anambra on November 8, 202
• Election of Federal Capital Area Council on February 21, 2026
• Election of the Governor of the State Ekiti on June 20, 2026
• Election of the Governor of the State Osun on August 8, 2026

According to Jacobu, the political campaign is taking place in the state of Anambra, while the notification of the election and preliminary election has ended in Ekiti and FCT.

Overcoming Recs, the Chairperson of Inec emphasizes the need for the implementation of consistent state -level national policy, urges officials to proactively carry out their roles without waiting for direction from the national headquarters.

“Your work does not begin only when the general election is near. You are a full time commissioner,” he said. “Some of you have taken the initiative, but larger efforts are needed.”

He also stressed the importance of local involvement, capacity building, logistics coordination, and selection security, added that the success of Inec’s mission was very dependent on the readiness and commitment of state -based personnel.

“The election occurs in federation countries, and your role as managers of personnel and resources is very important. You must be knowledgeable, proactive, and committed to providing credible elections,” Yakubu concluded.