By John Umeh
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is in the process of developing a comprehensive framework to guide the review of declared election results, according to the commission’s chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu. This move is seen as part of broader electoral reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, credibility, and public trust in Nigeria’s democratic process.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement in Abuja on Monday, Yakubu disclosed that INEC had begun consultations with legal experts, political parties, civil society organizations, and electoral observers to draft clear, lawful, and practical guidelines for the review of results in exceptional circumstances.
“INEC is committed to electoral justice. The new framework will define the grounds, procedures, and timelines under which declared election results can be reviewed, corrected, or invalidated where necessary,” Yakubu stated.
The need for this framework became more apparent following the contentious 2023 general elections, during which several candidates and political parties raised serious concerns over discrepancies in results transmission, vote tallying, and allegations of manipulation in some states. INEC had previously relied on ad-hoc decisions or court interventions in handling such disputes—a gap the new guidelines seek to formally address.
Key Features Under Consideration
While the full details of the framework are yet to be made public, sources within INEC suggest the following elements are being considered:
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Clear Criteria: Specific conditions under which result reviews can be initiated, such as arithmetic errors, result tampering, or proven incidents of violence that affect polling.
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Time-Bound Procedures: Defined timeframes within which affected parties can submit requests for review and when INEC must respond.
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Multi-Level Approval: A structured process involving regional offices and the national headquarters before any declared result can be altered.
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Public Transparency: Measures to ensure reviews are conducted openly, possibly with media and observer access, to build public confidence.
Reactions and Implications
Political analysts and civil society actors have welcomed the initiative as a long-overdue reform. Yiaga Africa, one of Nigeria’s leading election monitoring organizations, applauded INEC’s proactive step but urged the commission to prioritize stakeholder input and ensure the final framework is enforceable and not merely symbolic.
“This is a move in the right direction. However, INEC must ensure that the review mechanism is not susceptible to abuse or political interference,” said Samson Itodo, Yiaga’s Executive Director.
Some political parties have also expressed cautious optimism, noting that while the framework could reduce post-election litigation, it must guarantee fairness to all contesting candidates and not serve as a cover for administrative errors.
Looking Ahead
With several off-cycle governorship and senatorial elections scheduled in 2025 and the 2027 general elections looming on the horizon, INEC appears determined to improve its processes and restore credibility to Nigeria’s electoral system.
Professor Yakubu assured Nigerians that once the framework is finalized, it will be made public and subjected to scrutiny before implementation.
“No electoral process is perfect, but we must learn from past challenges to strengthen future elections,” he concluded.
The development signals INEC’s readiness to evolve and respond to the dynamic demands of Nigeria’s complex electoral landscape—an encouraging sign for democracy advocates and voters alike.
