Isaac Samuel
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday said it has completed arrangements for the conduct of bye-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 states of the federation scheduled for Saturday, August 16.
The polls, which will take place in two senatorial districts in Anambra and Edo States, five federal constituencies in Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun and Oyo States, and nine state constituencies in Adamawa, Anambra, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Niger, Taraba and Zamfara States, follow the resignation or death of sitting lawmakers.
Also to be conducted simultaneously are court-ordered rerun elections in Enugu South 1 State Constituency of Enugu State and Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency of Kano State.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, who disclosed in a statement said that all non-sensitive materials have been delivered to the states, while sensitive materials will be delivered before the end of today (Thursday).
He added that election technology such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) has been configured.
He said: “On Saturday August, 16 2025, bye-elections will be held in 16 constituencies across 12 States of the Federation, involving two Senatorial Districts in Anambra and Edo States; five Federal Constituencies in Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun and Oyo States; and nine State Constituencies in Adamawa, Anambra, Kaduna (2), Kano, Kogi, Niger, Taraba and Zamfara States.
“As Nigerians are aware, these bye-elections were caused by the resignation or death of serving members of national and State Houses of Assembly. Similarly, the court-ordered re-run election in Enugu South 1 State Constituency of Anambra State and the Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency of Kano State will be held simultaneously with the bye-elections.
“All non-sensitive materials for the election have been delivered to the States. Election technology, such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) has been configured for the election. The recruitment and training of ad hoc staff as well as security and logistics arrangements have been concluded. The final consignment of sensitive materials will be delivered today as scheduled”
While reminding political parties and candidates that campaigns end at midnight on Thursday, Olumekun urged stakeholders, including party agents, voters, observers and the media, to strictly adhere to electoral laws, regulations and guidelines.
On the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, Olumekun said the exercise would resume on Monday, August 18, with online pre-registration of voters, while physical registration will commence a week later, on August 25, at the commission’s 811 state and local government offices nationwide.
He said the CVR will allow eligible Nigerians to register, transfer voting locations, and replace damaged or lost Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs)
According to him, the exercise is only open to citizens who are 18 years and above and have not registered before, adding that multiple registrations remain a punishable offence.
“During the CVR, citizens will also have the opportunity to transfer their registration within a State or to other States of the Federation. Similarly, damaged or lost PVCs will be replaced as provided by law.
“It needs to be re-emphasied that the CVR is only open to Nigerian citizens who are 18 years or older and who have not registered before as double or multiple registration is a punishable offence under the law”, he added.
Olumekun also revealed that 17 political parties have submitted nominations for the February 21, 2026, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, producing 637 candidates for 68 positions and six chairmanship seats and 62 councillorship slots.
He said in line with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, INEC would publish the personal particulars of the candidates on August 18 by displaying their Form EC9, academic credentials and other submitted documents at its offices across the six FCT area councils.
The commission urged Nigerians to scrutinise the documents and noted that any aspirant with evidence that a candidate has submitted false information can challenge the nomination in court, as provided under Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act.
He said the final list of candidates will be published on September 22, 2025, at least 150 days before the polls, in accordance with the law.
