By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed 16th August 2025 for the conduct of by-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 states.
The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said this on Thursday in Abuja at the second regular quarterly consultative meeting with political parties, for the year 2025.
The meeting came after that of the first quarterly meeting held on Wednesday 22nd January 2025.
Yakubu had on Wednesday, during similar meetings with media executives and civil society organisations (CSOs), promised to released the details of the by-elections.
“At our consultative meetings with CSOs and the media yesterday, we assured Nigerians that the commission was finalising arrangements for two pending activities, the details of which will be made public within 24 hours.”
“First, the outstanding bye-elections and, secondly, the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).
6. On the bye-elections, let me first give you a brief update. In the last two years since the inauguration of the National and State Assemblies in June 2023, vacancies requiring bye-elections have occurred nationwide.
“You may recall that in February last year, the commission conducted nine bye-elections to fill vacancies resulting from the death or resignation of members of the National and State Houses of Assembly.
“Since then, more vacancies have been declared across the country. The outstanding bye-elections involve 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,” Yakubu said.
He also said that there were as well 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, 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 (PUs),” Yakubu said.
The INEC helmsman also said that the commission would deploy 30,451 officials for elections.
Prof. Yakubu added that, however, in spite of the declaration of vacancies, by-elections will not hold in two state constituencies for the time being.
He listed the affected constituencies as 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, “Unlike the General Election or off-cycle governorship elections, there is a tight timeframe for the conduct of bye-elections.
“Party primaries will be held between 17th and 21st July 2025 while the online portal for submission of nomination forms will open at 9.00am on 22nd July and end at 6.00pm on 26th July 2025.
“Campaign in public will commence on 2nd August 2025 and end at midnight on 14th August 2025 i.e. 24 hours before Election Day.”
Prof. Yakubu said that 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.
According to Yakubu, these elections were severally disrupted by thuggery and violence.
He said that they will now be combined with the bye-elections and will be held along with the bye-elections on Saturday 16th August 2025, upon assurances from the security agencies to adequately secure the process.