INEC Moves to Clarify Section 65 Amid Growing Misinterpretations of Electoral Act

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised alarm over the conflicting interpretations of Section 65 of the Electoral Ac...

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised alarm over the conflicting interpretations of Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022, which deals with the review of election results.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made this known on Tuesday in Abuja during the commission’s second quarterly consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).

“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,” Yakubu said.

He announced that the commission is working on a supplement to the Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2022, aimed at providing clarity on how the review of declarations and returns should be handled.

“Pursuant to our powers to issue regulations, guidelines and manuals to give effect to the provisions of the Electoral Act and for its administration, the Commission is working on a supplement… 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,” Yakubu stated.

What Section 65 Says:

Section 65(1) empowers INEC to review declarations or returns made under duress or in violation of the law within seven days.

It reads in part:

“The Commission shall have the power within seven days to review the declaration and return where it determines that the said declaration and return was not made voluntarily or was made contrary to the provisions of the law, regulations, guidelines, and manual for the election.”

Yakubu said INEC’s move to issue supplementary regulations is to eliminate ambiguity and guide all stakeholders—including political parties, candidates, and officials—on how the law should be correctly applied.

RECs Urged to Begin Preparations Early

The INEC Chairman also used the occasion to charge Resident Electoral Commissioners to begin preparations for upcoming elections without delay.

“You are full-time Commissioners. Your work does not begin as the general election approaches… There are policy and procedural issues already determined by the Commission which you need to implement without prompting from the Headquarters in Abuja,” Yakubu said.

He told the RECs to prioritize staff capacity-building, cleaning of the voter register, voter access through decongestion of polling units, and security coordination ahead of the various scheduled elections.

“You do not need an elaborate conference or workshop to build the capacity of your staff… You also need to provide us with information on your plans to enhance voter access to polling units,” he added.

Upcoming Elections & Voter Registration

Yakubu outlined the timeline of five major elections scheduled between August 2025 and August 2026:

1. Bye-elections in 12 states – August 16, 2025

2. Anambra Governorship Election – November 8, 2025

3. FCT Area Council Elections – February 21, 2026

4. Ekiti Governorship Election – June 20, 2026

5. Osun Governorship Election – August 8, 2026

He also announced that Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will resume nationwide:

• Online registration: August 18, 2025

• In-person registration: August 25, 2025

• Anambra State CVR: Starts next week, to be held in all 326 wards

“This will enable the Commission to conclude the exercise and compile the new voters’ register not later than 90 days before the date fixed for the election as provided by law,” Yakubu said.

He concluded by reminding RECs of their critical role in election preparation and emphasized that only commitment and technical knowledge can guarantee success in the upcoming electoral cycle.