The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released supplementary regulations and guidelines to provide clearer procedures and timelines for the review of election results not declared in accordance with the law.
Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, announced the development in a statement issued Thursday in Abuja. He confirmed that the supplementary guidelines were approved during the commission’s meeting held the same day.
“The proviso to Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 empowers the commission to review declaration and return of results that were not made voluntarily or done contrary to the law, regulations and guidelines for the election,” Olumekun stated.
“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.
“Also 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,” he added.
Olumekun said the new supplementary regulations and guidelines have been uploaded to INEC’s website and other platforms for public access.
The commissioner also disclosed that INEC had received 12 additional applications from associations seeking registration as political parties, bringing the total number of pending applications to 122.
“Meanwhile, the commission had since received 12 more applications for registration as political parties as of Wednesday, July 2, 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,” Olumekun stated. He noted that one of the associations had changed its interim secretary following a defection to another association.
“To facilitate the consideration of these applications, the commission appealed 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,” he said.
Some of the new associations seeking registration include I Love Nigeria (ILN), with John Nwobodo as protem chairman; United Nigeria Development Party (UNDP), led by prominent activist Aisha Yesufu; Integrity Nigeria (IPN), chaired by Chief Tonte Ibraye; and the Nigeria Farmers and Traders Progressive Party (NFTPP), whose leadership details were not disclosed.
