The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that bye-elections to fill legislative vacancies across the country will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025.
The elections will cover 16 constituencies in 12 states, involving over 3.5 million registered voters.
In addition, the Commission disclosed that Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will resume nationwide, with online pre-registration starting on Monday, August 18, and in-person registration set for Monday, August 25, 2025.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made these announcements on Thursday during the second quarterly consultative meeting with political party leaders at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to him, the bye-elections will take place in two senatorial districts, five federal constituencies, and nine state assembly constituencies across 32 local government areas, 356 wards, and 6,987 polling units.
“In the last two years since the inauguration of the National and State Assemblies in June 2023, vacancies requiring bye-elections have occurred nationwide,” Yakubu said.
“You may recall that in February last year, the commission conducted nine by-elections to fill vacancies resulting from the deaths or resignations of members of the National and State Houses of Assembly. Since then, more vacancies have been declared nationwide.”
“Consequently, the commission has fixed Saturday, August 16, 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.” he added.
However, Yakubu noted that bye-elections will not take place in Khana II State Constituency in Rivers State, due to a state of emergency, and Talata Mafara South in Zamfara State, owing to a pending legal dispute.
The Commission revealed that party primaries must be held between July 17 and 21, with submission of nomination forms via INEC’s portal from July 22 to 26. Political campaigns will be allowed from August 2 to midnight on August 14.
In addition to the bye-elections, Yakubu stated that two previously disrupted court-ordered re-run elections in Enugu South I (Enugu State) and Ghari/Tsanyawa (Kano State) would also be held on August 16.
Regarding the resumption of voter registration, the INEC chairman announced that CVR will take place in INEC’s 37 State/FCT offices and all 774 local government offices across the country, with 30,451 officials deployed for the process.
He specified that voter registration in Anambra State will begin earlier—from July 8 to July 17, 2025, in all 326 wards.
“During the registration period, new voters as well as those who wish to transfer their registration to Anambra State from other states of the federation or one location to another within the state will have the opportunity to do so,” Yakubu explained.
“Similarly, registered voters whose Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) are lost or damaged will have the opportunity to apply for a replacement. Uncollected PVCs from previous registrations will also be available for collection at the registration centres. Interested and eligible Nigerian citizens are encouraged to appear in person to register.”
“The online pre-registration option is not available for the time being. Voter registration and the compilation of the voters’ register must be completed not later than 90 days before the date fixed for the election as provided by law. Detailed information, including the locations of the 326 registration centres in Anambra State, is included in your folders for this meeting.”
Meanwhile, Yusuf Dantalle, Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), urged INEC to use the upcoming Anambra governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025, to demonstrate its capability for credible, technology-driven elections.
Dantalle acknowledged recent improvements but expressed concern over continued low voter turnout.
“Voter turnout remains disturbingly low, largely due to a lingering distrust in the electoral process, fears over electoral violence, and a general lack of confidence in political actors.”
He advised the Commission to rebuild public trust through the strategic deployment of new technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI):
“INEC should leverage its new technologies, especially artificial intelligence (AI), to drive decision-making, risk management, voter engagement, predictive analytics, automation, and integrity safeguards.”
