INEC Sets August 16th for Bye Elections in 12 States
INEC Sets August 16th for Bye Elections in 12 States
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has fixed August 16 for the conduct of 16 constituency bye-elections in 12 states of the federation.
Newera News gathered that the commission announced it would deploy 30,451 officials for the exercise and also resume the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) nationwide, starting August 18..
INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who disclosed these at the second regular consultative meeting with political parties in Abuja yesterday, noted the perennial complaints by opposition parties that incumbents often denied them access to state facilities, including public media.
He said going forward, the commission would work with the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, ARCON, to institute legal actions against offenders.
Yakubu said: “As campaign activities commence in Anambra State, I wish to draw attention to the perennial complaints 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.
“On the bye-elections, let me first give you a brief update. In the last two years since the inauguration of the national and state assemblies in June 2023, vacancies requiring by-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, 6 Anambra South and Edo Central; five federal constituencies, 6 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
’Others include nine state constituencies 6 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.
“However, despite the declaration of vacancies, bye-elections will not be held 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.
Unlike the general election or off-cycle governorship elections, there is a tight timeframe for the conduct of bye-elections. Party primaries will be held between July 17 and 21, 2025, while the online portal for submission of nomination forms will open at 9.00 am on July 22 and end at 6.00 pm on July 26, 2025.
