The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) established a comprehensive process for the recall of elected officials, as detailed in their 2024 Regulations and Guidelines. The recall procedure involves three primary stages: Petition Submission, Verification, and Referendum.
1. Petition Submission:
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Initiation: Registered voters in a constituency can initiate a recall by presenting a petition to the INEC Chairman.
Signature Requirement: The petition must be signed by more than half of the registered voters in the constituency of the official sought to be recalled. Specifically, it requires at least one person above 50% of the registered voters.
Petition Details: The petition should clearly state the reasons for the recall, alleging a loss of confidence in the member.
Arrangement of Signatures: Signatures or thumbprints must be organized according to Polling Units within the constituency. Each entry should include the petitioner’s name, Voter Identification Number (VIN), and signature or thumbprint.
Contact Information: For effective communication, the petition must include the names, contact addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of the petitioners’ representatives.
2. Verification Process:
Notification: Upon receiving the petition, INEC will notify the member sought to be recalled in writing. This notification is also copied to the presiding officer of the relevant legislature and published on INEC’s website.
Verification Exercise: INEC will conduct a verification exercise to confirm that the petition is endorsed by more than half of the registered voters in the constituency. This involves:
Appointing Verification Officers (VOs) to oversee the process.
Organizing the verification at designated Polling Units within the constituency.
Ensuring that all verification activities are conducted transparently and in accordance with established guidelines.
3. Referendum:
Condition for Referendum: If the verification confirms that more than half of the registered voters have endorsed the petition, INEC will proceed to conduct a referendum.
Scheduling: The referendum must be conducted within 90 days from the date of receipt of the petition.
Voting Process: The referendum will be carried out in all Polling Units within the constituency, adhering to the procedures specified in INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for the conduct of Elections. Voting will be by Open Secret Ballot, with provisions for continuous accreditation and voting during the designated hours.
These steps are designed to ensure that the recall process is transparent, democratic, and reflective of the constituents’ will. For a detailed understanding, constituents are encouraged to consult the full Regulations and Guidelines document provided by INEC.