INEC Chairman directs (RECs to provide information on their plans to enhance voter access to polling units in their states
By Raphael Ekpang
Abuja (Core Reporters) in his quest to enhance voters access to polling units across the country, the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu has directed all Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) across the Federation to provide the Commission information on their plans to enhance voter access to polling units.
Prof. Yakubu, who gave the directive in his opening speech at the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) Regular Consultative Meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, July 1, informed that the plan can be by decongesting some of them or in other areas such as the cleaning-up of the voters’ register, deepening engagement with electoral stakeholders at State and Local Government levels, the management of electoral logistics and election security.
According to him, the RECs do not need an elaborate conference or workshop to build the capacity of their staff to improve on their knowledge of new policies and practical innovations introduced by the Commission to improve electoral service delivery to Nigerians.
This is even as Prof Yakubu welcomed the two National Commissioners, Professor Sunday Aja and Abdulrazak Yusuf, who are attending this meeting for the first time following their assumption of duty a few months ago.
He also welcomed six RECs sworn-in 32 days ago attending the meeting for the first time.
He reminded them that elections and electoral activities take place in the States of the Federation and their role as managers of personnel and resources is critical for success.
“I am glad to note that we now have RECs in all the States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“There are policy and procedural issues already determined by the Commission which you need to implement without prompting from the Headquarters in Abuja.
“Some of you are already doing so, but you need to intensify your effort,” he said.
Prod Yakubu challenged the RECs that they can only effectively discharge their responsibilities when they are knowledgeable and committed.
Core Reporters report that Yakubu encouraged the RECs to intensify efforts to play their part in what is a multi-stakeholder responsibility more effectively.
“Already, the Commission has announced the dates for a number of elections and electoral activities.
“For the next one year (16th August 2025 to 8th August 2026), the Commission is holding five major elections.
“These are the bye-elections in 12 States of the Federation on 16th August 2025, the Anambra State Governorship election on 8th November 2025, the Area Council elections in the FCT on 21st February 2026, the Ekiti Governorship election on 20th June 2026 and the Osun State Governorship election on 8th August 2026.
“The Commission has released the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for these elections and some of the activities have already been carried out, the latest being the commencement of campaign by Political Parties in Anambra State, the publication of the Notice of Election for the Ekiti State Governorship election and the conclusion of party primaries for the FCT Area Council elections.
“Turning to electoral activities, the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) resumes nationwide on 18th August for online pre-registration and 25th August 2025 for in-person registration.
However, the CVR in Anambra State will resume next week and will be held simultaneously in all the 326 Wards in the State.
This will enable the Commission to conclude the exercise and compile the new voters’ register not later than 90 days before the date is fixed for the election as provided by law.
He said the detailed timetable and locations of the CVR have already been made public by the Commission.
“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.
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 to the Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2022 to provide clarity on the review of declaration and return at elections. 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.”
