By-elections: We’re ready, on top of logistics, INEC assures

Ahead of Saturday’s by-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 states of the federation, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured political parties fielding candidates for the polls, as well as the electorate, that it is fully ready for the exercise.

Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, gave the assurance in a statement on Thursday.

The by-elections will hold 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 (2), Kano, Kogi, Niger, Taraba, and Zamfara States.

Speaking on logistics, the INEC National Commissioner disclosed that the final consignment of sensitive materials, being the last phase, would be delivered on Thursday as scheduled.

“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 cautioning political parties to draw the curtain on campaigns by Thursday night, the Commission reiterated its appeal to all those involved in the by-elections — political parties, candidates, voters, party agents, observers, and the media — to adhere strictly to the provisions of the law, regulations, and guidelines. “Doing so will ensure seamless processes,” the statement noted.

The statement further revealed that Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will resume on Monday, 18 August 2025, nationwide with the online pre-registration of voters.

“The physical or in-person registration will follow a week later at the 811 INEC state and local government offices across the country on Monday, 25 August 2025.”

The statement noted 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.

The Commission urged prospective voters wishing to change polling units to use the opportunity provided by the exercise 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.”

Ahead of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election scheduled for February 2026, the Commission further disclosed that the personal particulars of candidates of the 17 political parties seeking offices in the six Area Councils in the FCT will be displayed from Monday in the Commission’s area offices.

“We appeal to Nigerians to scrutinise the documents. Any aspirant who participated in his/her party primaries with reasonable grounds to believe that the information provided by a candidate is false can challenge the nomination in a Federal High Court as provided in Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022.

“The final list of candidates will be published on 22 September 2025, which is at least 150 days before the day of the election, in line with the provision of Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 and listed as item 7 on our Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election.”

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