Releases Guidelines on Review of Election Results
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it has received an additional 12 applications from associations seeking registration as political parties, bringing the total number to 122.
This development was made public in a statement issued on Thursday, 3rd July 2025, by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun.
According to the statement, the fresh applications were received as of Wednesday, 2nd July 2025, following an earlier announcement on 23rd June that 110 associations had submitted requests for registration.
“On Monday last week (23rd June 2025), the Commission announced that it had received applications from 110 associations seeking registration as political parties. We also assured Nigerians that we will be giving regular updates on the matter. The Commission is processing these applications transparently and in fairness to all applicants,” the statement read.
“Meanwhile, the Commission has since received 12 more applications for registration as political parties as of yesterday, Wednesday 2nd July 2025, bringing the total number of applications to 122. The list of the new applications by names of associations, their acronyms, addresses, and interim Chairmen and Secretaries has been uploaded to our website and other platforms for public information. We will respond to these applicants in line with the Electoral Act and Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022.”
The Commission, however, observed an early change in leadership within one of the applicant associations. “The Commission notes that one association has already changed its interim Secretary as a result of defection to another association. To facilitate the consideration of these applications, the Commission appeals to associations to maintain consistency of their proposed leadership and addresses so that they do not by their own actions cause a delay to the timely consideration of their applications,” Olumekun stated.
In a related development, INEC has released Supplementary No. 1 to the Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2022, providing detailed procedures and timelines for the review of election results, particularly those declared under duress or in contravention of the law.
The release follows debates over the interpretation of Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022, which empowers the Commission to review declarations and returns in certain circumstances.
Olumekun clarified: “The proviso to Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 empowers the Commission to review declarations and returns in elections that are not made voluntarily or done contrary to the law, regulations, and guidelines for the election.”
“Consequently, there have been many interpretations of Section 65 of the Electoral Act, making it necessary for the Commission to use its powers under the law to issue Regulations, Guidelines or Manuals for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of the Act and for its administration.”
“Clear procedure and timelines have now been provided, the details of which are contained in Supplementary No.1 to the main Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2022. As approved by the Commission, the supplementary regulations and guidelines have been uploaded to the Commission’s website and other platforms for public information.”
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