The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has fixed August 16 for conduct of 16 constituency bye-elections in 12 states of the federation.
The commission, which said it would be deploying 30,451 officials for the exercise, also announced the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration CVR nationwide, with effect from 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.
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 bye-elections have occurred nationwide.
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, in spite of 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.
“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 9.00am on July 22 and end at 6.00pm on July 26, 2025.
‘’I urge you to adhere strictly to the procedure and timelines for candidate nomination, particularly considering the legal requirement for the commission to publish the personal particulars of candidates in the various constituencies for claims and objections by citizens within one week from the deadline for submission of nominations.’’
