The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it is finalizing preparations for the upcoming bye-elections scheduled for Saturday, August 17,2025.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, said the elections will be conducted in 16 constituencies across 12 states of the federation. These include two Senatorial Districts in Anambra and Edo States, five Federal Constituencies in Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun, and Oyo States, as well as none States Constituencies in Adamawa, Anambra, Kaduna (2), Kano, Kogi, Niger, Taraba, and Zamfara States.
Olumekun explained that the bye-elections were necessitated by the resignation or death of serving members of the National and State Houses of Assembly. In addition, court-ordered re-run elections in Enugu South 1 State Constituency of Anambra State and the Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency of Kano State
will also be held simultaneously.
According to the Commission, all non sensitive materials have been delivered to the affected states, and critical election technologies, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) have been fully configured. INEC further confirmed that the recruitment training of adhoc staff as well as security and logistics arrangements have been completed. The final batch of sensitive materials is scheduled for delivery today.
INEC also reminded political parties and candidates that all campaigns must end by midnight Thursday, August 14, 2025, in line with electoral guidelines.
“With less than 48 hours to the opening of polls, the Commission reiterates its appeal to all stakeholders political parties, candidates, voters, party agents, observers, and the media to adhere strictly to the law, regulations, and guidelines. Doing so will ensure a seamless process,” Olumekun stated.
Meanwhile, INEC has announced that the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will resume on Monday 18th August 2025, starting with online pre-registration.
Physical (in-person) registration will commence a week later, on Monday, August 25,at 811 INEC offices across the 36 states and the FCT. The Commission said that detailed information, including centre location and contact numbers will be available on its website and digital platforms. An active CVR Locator Tool will also go live on Sunday, August 17, 2025.
The CVR exercise will allow citizens to register for the first time ,transfer their registration or reply lost or damaged PVCs.
“It must be re-emphasized that the CVR is only open to Nigerian citizens who are 18 years or older and who have not been registered before. Double or multiple registration is a punishable offence under the law,” Olumekun warned.
INEC also confirmed the conclusion of candidate nominations for the FCT Area Council election. Seventeen (17) political parties submitted their candidate nomination forms before the deadline of 6:00pm on Monday, August 11, 2025,when the dedicated portal automatically shut down.
In line with Section 29 (3) of the Electoral Act, 2022, INEC will publish the personal particulars of candidates, including Form EC9 and accompanying documents, in its offices across the six Area Councils of the FCT on Monday August 18, 2025.
A total of 637 Candidates have been nominated to contest for 68 elective positions, including 6 chairmanship and 62 councilorship seats.
“We urge Nigerians to scrutinise the published documents. Any aspirant who participated in the party primaries and has reasonable grounds to believe that a candidate submitted false information can challenge the nomination in a Federal High Court, as provided in Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act,” Olumekun said.
INEC will publish the final list of candidates on 22nd September 2025 in line with Section 32 (1) of the Electoral Act, which mandates publication at least 150 days before the election.
The FCT Area Council election is scheduled for Saturday 21st February 2026.