The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled bye-elections for August 16, 2025, across 16 constituencies in 12 states of Nigeria. These elections will fill vacant seats in the national and state assemblies caused by deaths, resignations, or court rulings.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, announced that the commission will deploy 30,451 officials to oversee the elections. The exercise will involve over 3.5 million registered voters spread across 32 local government areas, 356 wards, and nearly 7,000 polling units.
The constituencies involved include:
- Senatorial districts: Anambra South and Edo Central
- Federal constituencies: Ovia South West/Ovia South East (Edo), Babura/Garki (Jigawa), Chikun/Kajuru (Kaduna), Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North (Ogun), and Ibadan North (Oyo)
- State constituencies: 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).
However, bye-elections will not hold in two constituencies for now: Khana II in Rivers State due to the ongoing state of emergency, and Talata Mafara South in Zamfara State because of a legal challenge to the seat’s vacancy.
Party primaries are scheduled to take place between July 17 and 21, 2025. The online portal for submitting nomination forms will open at 9:00 am on July 22 and close at 6:00 pm on July 26. Campaigning will run from August 2 to August 14, ending 24 hours before election day.
In addition to the bye-elections, INEC will conduct two court-ordered rerun elections in Enugu South I (Enugu State) and Ghari/Tsanyawa (Kano State). These elections were previously disrupted by violence but will now be held alongside the bye-elections with security assurances.
The commission also announced the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) nationwide starting August 18, 2025. In Anambra State, CVR will begin earlier, from July 8 to July 17, ahead of the governorship election. Eligible voters can register, transfer their registration, or replace lost voter cards during this period. The online pre-registration will start nationwide on August 18, followed by in-person registration from August 25 at INEC offices across all states and local governments.
Professor Yakubu addressed concerns about fairness during campaigns, noting:
“We want to ensure that all political parties and candidates have a fair chance. The law does not allow any group to use their position to block others from public facilities or media.”
He added that INEC will collaborate with the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) to take legal action against any violations of election laws.
For the upcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, party primaries will conclude by June 30, 2025. Candidate lists must be uploaded to the nomination portal between July 21 and August 11, with the portal closing at 6:00 pm on August 11. INEC will publish candidates’ personal details for public claims and objections within one week after the nomination deadline.
INEC urges all eligible Nigerian citizens to participate actively in the registration and election processes to strengthen democracy.
Conclusion
The upcoming bye-elections mark another important step in Nigeria’s democratic process. With careful planning, transparent procedures, and the involvement of millions of voters, INEC aims to ensure credible and peaceful elections. All stakeholders are encouraged to follow the rules and timelines, helping to build a stronger and more inclusive democracy across the nation.
