The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday announced the fixing of bye-elections in 16 constituencies in 12 states across the country
The commission said that the elections scheduled for August 16, 2025 will involve a total of 3,553,659 registered voters spread across 32 Local Government Areas, 356 Wards and 6,987 Polling Units.
The chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this at the second regular consultative meeting with political parties in Abuja.
He however said, despite the declaration of vacancies, bye-elections will not hold in two state constituencies for the time being.
These are Khana II State Constituency in Rivers State as a result of the current state of emergency and Talata Mafara South State Constituency in Zamfara State following a legal challenge to the declaration of the seat vacant by the State Assembly.
According to him, party primaries for the bye-elections will be held between July 17 and 21 while the online portal for submission of nomination forms will open at 9.00am on July 22 and end at 6.00pm on July 26 2025.
Yakubu said that public campaigns will commence on August 2 and end at midnight on August 14.
He said, “In the last two years since the inauguration of the National and State Assemblies in June 2023, vacancies requiring bye-elections have occurred nationwide. You may recall that in February last year, the commission conducted nine bye-elections to fill vacancies resulting from the death or resignation of members of the National and State Houses of Assembly. Since then, more vacancies have been declared across the country.
“The outstanding bye-elections involve two Senatorial Districts ̶ Anambra South and Edo Central; five Federal Constituencies ̶Ovia South West/Ovia South East in Edo State, Babura/Garki in Jigawa State, Chikun/Kajuru in Kaduna State, Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North in Ogun State and Ibadan North in Oyo State; as well as nine State constituencies ̶ Ganye in Adamawa State, Onitsha North I in Anambra State, Dekina/Okura in Kogi State, Zaria Kewaye and Basawa in Kaduna State, Bagwai/Shanono in Kano State, Mariga in Niger State, Karim Lamido I in Taraba State and Kauran Namoda South in Zamfara State).
“Consequently, the commission has fixed Saturday August 16 2025 for bye-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 States of the country involving a total of 3,553,659 registered voters spread across 32 Local Government Areas, 356 Wards and 6,987 Polling Units. The Commission will deploy 30,451 officials.”
The INEC chairman said that in addition to the bye-elections, the commission will also conduct the two outstanding court-ordered re-run elections in Enugu South 1 State constituency of Enugu state and the Ghari/Tsanyawa state Constituency in Kano state.
Yakubu said these elections were severally disrupted by thuggery and violence and they will now be combined with the bye-elections upon assurances from the security agencies to adequately secure the process.
The INEC chairman also announced that the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will resume on August 18 while the exercise starts in Anambra state between July 8 and 17 in view of the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
“In view of the forthcoming Governorship election, the CVR in Anambra State will commence in the 326 Wards across the State on July 8 2025 and end on July 17 2025 from 9.00am to 3.00pm daily, including the weekends. During the registration period, new voters as well as those who wish to transfer their registration to Anambra State from other States of the Federation or from one location to another within the State will have the opportunity to do so.
“Similarly, registered voters whose Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) are lost or damaged will have the opportunity to apply for a replacement. Uncollected PVCs from previous registrations will also be available for collection at the registration centres. Interested eligible Nigerian citizens are encouraged to appear in person to register. The online pre-registration option is not available for the time being. Voter registration and the compilation of the voters’ register must be completed not later than 90 days before the date fixed for the election as provided by law.
“For the nationwide CVR, the commission has approved the resumption of the online and in-person registration of voters in all the States of the Federation. The online pre-registration will start on 18th August 2025 while the in-person registration will follow on August 25 2025. The exercise will be held simultaneously in all our 37 State and FCT offices as well as our 774 Local Government offices nationwide. Detailed schedule of activities will be released shortly”, Yakubu stated.
Yakubu also raised concern over the perennial complaint by opposition parties especially, about the denial of access to public facilities for electioneering activities as campaign activities commence in Anambra state.
He said, “I wish to draw attention to the perennial complaint by especially opposition parties about the denial of access to public facilities for electioneering activities. These include the state media, public buildings for meetings and open spaces for rallies and processions. In some cases, prohibitive amounts are charged for outdoor advertising. These actions are a violation of the Electoral Act 2022 which prohibits the use of incumbency to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate.
“Going forward, the commission will work with the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and intensify our collaboration with the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) for a possible legal action in the face of prima facie evidence of the violation of the law,” he added.
The chairman of IPAC, Yusuf Dantalle said much was expected of INEC ahead of the FCT council poll, Anambra state governorship election, Osun state governorship poll 2026 and the 2027 general election.
“To whom much is given, much is expected. INEC should put its act together and justify the confidence Nigerians reposed in it to conduct free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive elections.
“IPAC urges leaders of political parties to conduct transparent primaries for the upcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election. The integrity of the electoral process starts with parties’ primaries where candidates are nominated for various offices. Parties are urged to comply with the provisions of their constitutions for rancour-free exercises and desist from imposition of candidates.
“IPAC further urges political parties and their candidates to imbibe issue-based campaigns for the November 8 2025, Anambra State governorship election. Politicians and their supporters should eschew politics of bitterness that impedes the nation’s emerging democracy,” he pleaded.
Friday Olokor
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