INEC Assures Full Readiness for Saturday’s Bye-Elections

INEC Assures Full Readiness for Saturday’s Bye-Elections

 …CVR Resumes Nationwide August 18

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared its readiness for Saturday’s bye-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 states, affirming that all logistical, security, and technological arrangements have been concluded.

In a statement signed on Friday by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Prof. Sam Olumekun, the Commission said the elections; scheduled for August 16, 2025 will cover 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.

The elections, according to INEC, were necessitated by the resignation or death of serving members, as well as court-ordered re-runs in Enugu South 1 State Constituency of Anambra and Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency of Kano.

“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,” Olumekun stated.

INEC also reminded political parties and candidates that campaigns end at midnight on Thursday, warning all participants, including voters, party agents, observers, and the media to adhere strictly to electoral laws, regulations, and guidelines “to ensure seamless processes.”

CVR Resumes Nationwide August 18
The Commission announced that the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will resume on Monday, August 18, 2025, with online pre-registration. Physical registration at the 811 INEC state and local government offices will commence a week later, on August 25.

The exercise will allow eligible citizens to register for the first time, transfer voting locations within or across states, and replace lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

“It needs to be re-emphasised 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 statement read.
INEC further disclosed that 17 political parties have submitted 637 candidates for the February 21, 2026, FCT Area Council elections, comprising 6 chairmanship and 62 councillorship seats.

In line with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, the personal particulars of the candidates, including their academic credentials, will be displayed in INEC offices across the six area councils from Monday, August 18, for public scrutiny.

“We appeal to Nigerians to scrutinise the documents. Any aspirant with reasonable grounds to believe that a candidate’s information is false can challenge the nomination in a Federal High Court,” Olumekun said.

The final list of candidates will be published on September 22, 2025, at least 150 days before the election as stipulated in the Electoral Act.

INEC pledged to continue providing Nigerians with updates on all its electoral activities.