Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has said that the commission is working on supplementary regulations and guidelines to offer clarity in the review of declaration and return at elections, ahead of the 2027 general polls.
He recently shared that INEC was making it happen in pursuance of the commission’s power to issue regulations, guidelines and manuals to give effect to the provisions of the Electoral Act.
Speaking at a regular consultative meeting of Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja, Mahmood revealed that the commission is concerned with the several interpretations given to the provision of Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 on the review of election results.
According to him, immediately INEC decides, the supplementary regulations and guidelines would be made available to Nigerians on its various social media platforms.
“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.
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,” he said.
He further urged RECs to provide the commission with more information on their plans to improve voter access to polling units by decongesting some of them or in other areas.
He emphasised the need for RECs to expand their knowledge and increase their efforts, stressing that they play a crucial role in guaranteeing seamless and fair elections.
Mahmood concluded by reminding RECs that they are full-time commissioners, and their work does not start only when the election date is near.
“I wish to remind you that your work does not begin as the general election approaches. You are full-time commissioners.
There are policies and procedural issues already determined by the commission which need to be implemented without prompting from the headquarters in Abuja.
Some of you are already doing so, but you need to intensify your efforts.
You do not need an elaborate conference or workshop to build the capacity of your staff to improve on their knowledge of new policies and practical innovations introduced by the commission to improve electoral service delivery to Nigerians,” he added.
