INEC releases guidelines for recall of elected officials

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued new regulations and guidelines for the recall process of elected officials at both the state and federal levels. 

The announcement was made on Thursday, September 19, by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, following the approval of the guidelines at the Commission’s meeting.

The ten-page document outlines the procedure for recalling elected representatives, requiring petitioners to submit a request to the INEC Chairman. The petition must be signed by more than half of the registered voters in the constituency of the officeholder whose recall is being sought.

Upon receiving the petition, INEC will verify the signatures to ensure they are registered voters in the constituency before proceeding with a referendum on the recall.

The statement from the Commission reads: “The Commission met today, Thursday 19th September 2024. In addition to reviewing the final preparations for the Edo State Governorship election holding on Saturday 21st September 2024, the Commission also considered and approved the revised Regulations and Guidelines for the Recall of members of the National and State Assemblies and Councillors in the Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).”

The Commission further noted that it has received multiple requests from various groups across the country seeking the recall of their representatives in both the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.

“For clarity, the process is initiated by the voters in a constituency. The Commission only implements their request in line with Sections 69, 110, and 160 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Sections 2(c) and 113 of the Electoral Act, 2022,” the statement added.

The new guidelines have been uploaded to INEC’s website and social media platforms, providing constituents with a detailed procedure for initiating a recall. INEC urged voters interested in recalling their representatives to follow the provisions outlined in the document when submitting their petitions.