INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced Saturday, August 16, 2025, as the date for a series of by-elections to fill vacant legislative seats across 16 constituencies in 12 states of the federation.

The announcement was made by INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, during a meeting with leaders of political parties at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.

According to Yakubu, the vacancies arose as a result of resignations, deaths, and court-ordered annulments, affecting two senatorial districts, five federal constituencies, and nine state assembly seats.

The affected areas include Anambra South and Edo Central Senatorial Districts; Ovia South West/Ovia South East (Edo), Babura/Garki (Jigawa), Chikun/Kajuru (Kaduna), Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North (Ogun), and Ibadan North (Oyo) Federal Constituencies. The state assembly constituencies affected are Ganye (Adamawa), Onitsha North I (Anambra), Dekina/Okura (Kogi), Zaria Kewaye and Basawa (Kaduna), Bagwai/Shanono (Kano), Mariga (Niger), Karim Lamido I (Taraba), and Kauran Namoda South (Zamfara).

Yakubu disclosed that the commission would deploy a total of 30,451 officials to conduct the elections, covering 3,553,659 registered voters across 32 local government areas, 356 wards, and 6,987 polling units. However, by-elections will not be held in Khana II Constituency in Rivers State due to the ongoing state of emergency and Talata Mafara South Constituency in Zamfara State due to a pending legal dispute.

Political parties are expected to conduct their primaries between July 17 and 21, while the online submission of nomination forms will take place from July 22 to 26. Campaigns will commence on August 2 and end on August 14, two days before the election.

Yakubu revealed that two re-run elections ordered by the courts in Enugu South I (Enugu) and Ghari/Tsanyawa (Kano) constituencies would also hold on August 16. The previous elections in these areas were nullified due to disruptions caused by violence.

INEC also announced the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise nationwide. Online pre-registration is set to begin on August 18, while in-person registration will commence on August 25. The exercise will take place across the 774 local government areas and the 37 INEC state and FCT offices nationwide.

Specifically for Anambra State, where a governorship election is scheduled for November 8, the CVR exercise will run from July 8 to 17 across all 326 wards. The exercise will allow new voters, transfers, and replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). Uncollected PVCs will also be available at registration centres.

Yakubu confirmed that the final list of 16 governorship candidates and their running mates had been published. Public campaigns began on June 11 and will end at midnight on November 6, 2025. Political parties were urged to adhere strictly to INEC’s regulations for meetings, rallies, and processions. Copies of the guidelines were distributed during the Thursday meeting.

On the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, the INEC chairman reminded party leaders that primaries must end by June 30. Submission of candidate names must be completed between July 21 and August 11, with the portal closing automatically at 6:00 pm on the final day.

In his remarks, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr Yusuf Dantalle, emphasised the need for INEC and political stakeholders to restore public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.

Dantalle identified low voter turnout, fear of violence, and disillusionment with failed campaign promises as factors undermining participation in elections. He urged political parties to conduct transparent primaries and run issue-based campaigns, particularly ahead of the Anambra governorship election. He also encouraged INEC to adopt advanced technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), to improve the credibility and transparency of elections.

“INEC must embrace centralised AI governance to enhance data-driven decision-making, risk management, and voter engagement,” Dantalle said.

He stressed that strengthening electoral processes is key to preserving Nigeria’s democratic future.

With less than two months to the by-elections and the Anambra gubernatorial poll fast approaching, all eyes are on INEC and political parties to ensure credible, peaceful, and inclusive elections.