The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced that all campaign activities for Saturday’s by-elections must end by midnight on Thursday, August 14, 2025.
The commission also confirmed it will deploy sensitive materials to the 12 affected states on the same day, having already distributed non-sensitive materials in preparation for the polls.
National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Sam Olumekun, stated that the elections will cover 16 constituencies across 12 states. These include 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 (2), Kano, Kogi, Niger, Taraba, and Zamfara States.
Olumekun explained, “As Nigerians are aware, these bye-elections were caused by the resignation or death of serving members of the national and State Houses of Assembly. Similarly, the court-ordered re-run election in Enugu South 1 State Constituency of Anambra State and the Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency of Kano State will be held simultaneously with the bye-elections.”
He confirmed that all logistical arrangements are in place, stating, “All non-sensitive materials for the election have been delivered to the States. Election technology, such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, 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.”
With less than 48 hours until polls open, INEC urged all stakeholders—including political parties, candidates, voters, and observers—to strictly comply with electoral laws and guidelines. The commission also announced that the Continuous Voter Registration exercise will resume on Monday, August 18, starting with online pre-registration, followed by in-person registration at 811 INEC offices nationwide from August 25.
“The Commission wishes to remind political parties and candidates that campaigns end at midnight today, Thursday 14th August 2025”, he said.
Olumekun added, “During the CVR, citizens will also have the opportunity to transfer their registration within a State or to other States of the Federation. Similarly, damaged or lost PVCs will be replaced as provided by law.” He emphasized that the exercise is only for Nigerians aged 18 and above who have not previously registered, warning that multiple registrations are illegal.
Regarding the upcoming FCT Area Council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026, INEC disclosed that 17 political parties submitted nominations for 637 candidates vying for 68 positions. The commission will display candidates’ documents from August 18 for public scrutiny, as required by law.
INEC’s statement added, “We appeal to Nigerians to scrutinise the documents. Any aspirant who participated in his/her party primaries with reasonable grounds to believe that the information provided by a candidate is false can challenge the nomination in a Federal High Court as provided in Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022.” The final list of candidates will be published on September 22, 2025.