The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the conduct of bye-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 states on Saturday, August 16, 2025, as part of its ongoing electoral engagements and preparations for upcoming polls, including the Anambra State Governorship election.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this during a consultative meeting with leaders of registered political parties on the second day of the Commission’s regular stakeholder engagements in Abuja.
According to Professor Yakubu said that the bye-elections will involve 3,553,659 registered voters across 32 Local Government Areas, 356 Wards, and 6,987 Polling Units. A total of 30,451 election officials are expected to be deployed for the exercise.
Professor Yakubu also outlined the electoral timetable, stating that political parties are to conduct primaries between July 17 and 21, while the submission of nomination forms via the INEC portal will open at 9:00 a.m. on July 22 and close by 6:00 p.m. on July 26. Public campaigns are scheduled to commence on August 2 and end on August 14.
The Commission further announced the resumption of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) at two levels—state-specific and nationwide.
In Anambra State, where a governorship election is forthcoming, the CVR will take place across all 326 Wards from July 8 to 17, 2025, running daily between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., including weekends. The exercise will cater to new registrants, those requesting transfers, and persons seeking replacements for lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). Already printed PVCs will also be available for collection at designated centres.
On a national level, online pre-registration for voters will reopen on August 18, with in-person registration beginning on August 25 at INEC’s 37 state and FCT offices as well as the 774 local government offices across Nigeria.
Alhaji Dantalle commended the Federal Government and INEC for the ongoing construction of the Commission’s new headquarters annex, describing it as a strategic move that will enhance operational effectiveness and service delivery.
