By Balarabe Oshiafi
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that all is set for bye-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 states this Saturday, August 16, 2025, while also confirming the nationwide resumption of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and the publication of candidates’ personal details for the upcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election.
In a release signed by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, and made available to ExpressDay Newspaper on Thursday, the Commission said Saturday’s polls 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 across Adamawa, Anambra, Kaduna (2), Kano, Kogi, Niger, Taraba, and Zamfara.
Two court-ordered re-run elections — in Enugu South 1 State Constituency (Anambra State) and Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency (Kano State) — will be conducted alongside the bye-elections.
INEC disclosed that all non-sensitive materials have been delivered to the states, while the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) has been configured for use. Recruitment and training of ad hoc staff have been completed, and final consignments of sensitive materials are being dispatched as scheduled.
Political campaigns officially end at midnight today, Thursday, August 14, and the Commission urged political parties, candidates, voters, observers, and the media to comply strictly with the Electoral Act, guidelines, and regulations.
INEC will reopen the CVR process on Monday, August 18, beginning with online pre-registration. Physical registration will commence a week later, on Monday, August 25, at the 811 state and local government INEC offices nationwide. The Commission will also activate its CVR Locator on Sunday, August 17, to help citizens find registration centres and obtain assistance via published helplines.
The exercise will allow eligible citizens aged 18 and above who have never registered to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). It will also facilitate transfers between wards or states, as well as replacements of lost or damaged PVCs. INEC reminded citizens that double or multiple registrations remain a criminal offence.
Following the conclusion of political party primaries for the FCT Area Council elections, INEC confirmed that 17 political parties have nominated 637 candidates for 68 elective positions — comprising six chairmanship seats and 62 councillorship slots.
In accordance with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, the Commission will publish the personal particulars, academic credentials, and other submitted documents of all candidates on Monday, August 18, at its offices in the six FCT area councils.
INEC encouraged Nigerians to scrutinise the displayed documents and, where necessary, challenge any candidate’s eligibility at the Federal High Court under Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act.
The final list of candidates will be released on September 22, 2025, at least 150 days before the February 21, 2026 election date, as mandated by Section 32(1) of the law.
INEC pledged continued transparency, promising to keep Nigerians informed as preparations progress
