The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed August 16th, 2025 for by-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 states of the country.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja at the second regular consultative meeting with political parties.

He revealed that the elections would involve a total of 3,553,659 registered voters spread across 32 Local Government Areas, 356 Wards and 6,987 Polling Units.

Yakubu explained that in the last two years since the inauguration of the national and state assemblies in June 2023, vacancies requiring by-elections had occurred nationwide.

He recalled that in February last year, the Commission conducted nine by-elections to fill vacancies resulting from the death or resignation of members of the National and State Houses of Assembly.

The chairman noted that since then, more vacancies had been declared across the country.

He said the outstanding by-elections involved two Senatorial Districts — Anambra South and Edo Central; five Federal Constituencies — Ovia South West/Ovia South East in Edo State; Babura/Garki in Jigawa State; Chikun/Kajuru in Kaduna State; Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North in Ogun State and Ibadan North in Oyo State.

He stressed that the by-elections would also rate place in as nine state constituencies  — Ganye in Adamawa State, Onitsha North I in Anambra State, Dekina/Okura in Kogi State, Zaria Kewaye and Basawa in Kaduna State, Bagwai/Shanono in Kano State, Mariga in Niger State, Karim Lamido I in Taraba State and Kauran Namoda South in Zamfara State).

“Consequently, the Commission has fixed Saturday 16th August 2025 for bye-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 States of the country involving a total of 3,553,659 registered voters spread across 32 Local Government Areas, 356 Wards and 6,987 Polling Units.

“The Commission will deploy 30,451 officials. However, in spite of the declaration of vacancies, bye-elections will not hold in two State constituencies for the time being.

“These are Khana II State Constituency in Rivers State as a result of the current state of emergency and Talata Mafara South State Constituency in Zamfara State following a legal challenge to the declaration of the seat vacant by the State Assembly,” he said.

Yakubu emphasised that unlike the general election or off-cycle governorship elections, there is a tight timeframe for the conduct of by-elections.

He said party primaries would be held between 17th and 21st July 2025, while the online portal for submission of nomination forms would open at 9.00am on 22nd July and end at 6.00pm on 26th July 2025.

The chairman noted that the campaign would commence on 2nd August 2025 and end at midnight on 14th August 2025, which would be 24 hours before Election Day.

“In addition to the by-elections, the Commission will also conduct the two outstanding Court-ordered re-run elections in Enugu South I State Constituency of Enugu State and the Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency in Kano State.

“These elections were severely disrupted by thuggery and violence. They will now be combined with the bye-elections upon assurances from the security agencies to adequately secure the process. The two elections will be held along with the bye-elections on Saturday 16th August 2025.”

Yakubu revealed that the commission has approved the resumption of  Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), which would be held at two levels.