FULL LIST: Nigeria holds by-elections across 12 states today

The by-elections currently holding across 12 Nigerian states, as organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), cover 16 constituencies to fill vacant seats in the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly, alongside two court-ordered re-run elections.

Below is the full list of constituencies involved, based on available information:

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Senatorial Districts (2)

Anambra South Senatorial District (Anambra State) – Vacant due to the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah (Young Progressive Party) in July 2024.

Edo Central Senatorial District (Edo State) – Vacant due to the election of Senator Monday Okpebholo (All Progressives Congress) as Edo State Governor.

Federal Constituencies (5)

Ovia South West/Ovia South East Federal Constituency (Edo State)

Babura/Garki Federal Constituency (Jigawa State)

Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency (Kaduna State)

Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency (Ogun State)

Ibadan North Federal Constituency (Oyo State) – Vacant due to the death of Rep. Olaide Aderemi in 2024.

State Constituencies (9)

Ganye State Constituency (Adamawa State)

Onitsha North I State Constituency (Anambra State)

Dekina/Okura State Constituency (Kogi State)

Zaria Kewaye State Constituency (Kaduna State)

Basawa State Constituency (Kaduna State)

Bagwai/Shanono State Constituency (Kano State)

Mariga State Constituency (Niger State)

Karim Lamido I State Constituency (Taraba State)

Kauran Namoda South State Constituency (Zamfara State)

Court-Ordered Re-run Elections (2)

Enugu South I State Constituency (Enugu State) – Re-run due to disruptions by thuggery and violence in previous polls.

Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency (Kano State) – Re-run due to similar disruptions.

Key Details

Voter Statistics: Approximately 3,553,659 registered voters across 32 local government areas, 356 wards, and 6,987 polling units are eligible to participate.

Logistics: INEC deployed 30,451 officials and utilised the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for voter verification. Sensitive materials were distributed to the states, with non-sensitive materials delivered earlier.

Exclusions: By-elections in Khana II State Constituency (Rivers State) and Talata Mafara South State Constituency (Zamfara State) were suspended due to a state of emergency in Rivers and a legal challenge in Zamfara, respectively.

Political Context: The elections involve 17 parties and 637 candidates vying for 68 seats, with major parties like the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Social Democratic Party (SDP) competing. The ADC, recently adopted by an opposition coalition, is testing its popularity ahead of 2027.

Security: The Nigeria Police deployed senior officers, including Assistant Inspectors-General and Commissioners of Police, alongside personnel from the Police Mobile Force and other tactical units. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) deployed 20,850 personnel.

Movement restrictions were enforced from 12 am to 6 pm on election day, with exemptions for essential services.

These by-elections are a significant test of political strength for Nigeria’s major parties and a critical exercise in the country’s democratic process, with results expected to be uploaded to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV) after polls close.