The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed August 16 for the conduct of outstanding by-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 states.

INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, announced this during the commission’s quarterly meeting with political parties on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Yakubu noted that the commission would deploy 30,451 officials for the by-elections involving a total of 3,553,659 registered voters spread across 32 local government areas in 356 wards and 6,987 polling units.

He recalled that in the last two years since the inauguration of the national and state assemblies in June 2023, vacancies requiring by-elections had occurred nationwide.

Mr Yakubu also recalled that in February 2025, INEC conducted nine bye-elections to fill vacancies resulting from the deaths or resignations of members of the national and state assemblies, noting that more vacancies had occurred.

“The outstanding by-elections involve two senatorial districts: Anambra South and Edo Central. Five federal constituencies of Ovia South-West/Ovia South-East in Edo, Babura/Garki in Jigawa, Chikun/Kajuru in Kaduna State, Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North in Ogun and Ibadan North in Oyo State. Nine state constituencies: Ganye in Adamawa, Onitsha North I in Anambra, Dekina/Okura in Kogi, and Zaria Kewaye and Basawa, both in Kaduna State. Other constituencies are Bagwai/Shanono in Kano State, Mariga in Niger, Karim Lamido I in Taraba and Kauran Namoda South in Zamfara,’’ Mr Yakubu said.

He, however, said that despite the declaration of vacancies, the by-elections would not hold in Khana II State Constituency in Rivers State and some constituencies in Rivers and Talata Mafara South State Constituency in Zamfara State.

He explained that the non-conduct of by-elections in Rivers State was a result of the current state of emergency in the state.

He said for Zamfara State, it was due to a pending legal issue.

He stated, “Unlike the general elections or off-cycle governorship elections, there is a tight time frame for the conduct of bye-elections. Party primaries would be held between July 17 and July 21, while the online portal for submission of nomination forms will open at 9:00 a.m. on July 22 and end at 6:00 p.m. on July 26. Campaigning in public will commence on August 2, 2025, and end at midnight on August 14, 2025, noting that is 24 hours before election day.’’

Mr Yakubu also said that the by-elections would be conducted for the two outstanding court-ordered rerun state constituency elections in Enugu and Kano that were severely disrupted by thuggery and violence.

“The constituencies are Enugu South I state constituency and the Ghari/Tsanyawa State constituency in Kano State,” he said.

He said that the detailed information on the by-elections would shortly be uploaded on the commission’s website and other platforms for public information. 

(NAN)