INEC is readying itself for the forthcoming bye-elections, the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and the publication of the personal particulars of candidates for the Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Final Preparations For Bye-Elections:
The bye-elections are set to hold on the 16th of August 2025 in 16 constituencies across 12 States of the Federation, involving 2 Senatorial Districts in Anambra and Edo States; 5 Federal Constituencies in Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun and Oyo States; and 9 State Constituencies in Adamawa, Anambra, Kaduna (2), Kano, Kogi, Niger, Taraba and Zamfara States.
Revealing that the bye-elections are necessary after the resignation or demise of serving members of the national and State Houses of Assembly, the commission said that 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.
According to the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information & Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, the non-sensitive materials required for the polls have already been sent to the states, and key election tech like the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) has already been configured for the election.
The commission stated that the hiring and training of ad hoc staff, as well as security and logistics arrangements, have been wrapped up, and the final consignment of sensitive materials is set to be delivered today as scheduled.
INEC reminded political parties and candidates that all forms of campaign must not go beyond midnight today, Thursday, 14th August 2025.
The Independent National Electoral Commission maintained that all political parties, candidates, voters, party agents, observers, and media personnel involved in the bye-elections should abide by the stipulated regulations to guarantee a smooth electoral process.
Nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) Continues:
INEC have announced that the CVR will begin with the online pre-registration of voters on Monday, 18th August 2025, across Nigeria. The commission disclosed that physical or in-person registration will take place one week later at the 811 INEC State and Local Government offices nationwide on Monday, 25th August 2025.
The list and locations of the centres, including specified phone numbers for Nigerians in need of help, will be available on the INEC website and other online platforms.
When the active CVR Locator goes live on the 17th August 2025, Nigerians will be able to transfer their registration within one state or to other states across the nation. Citizens with damaged or lost PVCs will also be secure replacements as stated by the law.
INEC reiterated that the CVR is only accessible to Nigerians who are 18 years or older, stressing that only those who have not registered before are eligible, and double or multiple registration is a punishable offence under the law.
Publication Of Personal Details Of Candidates For The FCT Area Council Election:
After the party primaries for the Area Council election in the FCT, 17 Political Parties uploaded their candidates’ nomination forms before the 6.00 pm deadline on Monday, 11th August 2025, ahead of the portal’s automatic shutdown.
INEC, in accordance with the provision of Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, will publish the personal particulars of candidates by sharing copies of their Form EC9 alongside all the accompanying academic credentials and other documents submitted by them, on Monday 18th August 2025, in all its offices in the 6 Area Councils in the FCT.
The seventeen parties partaking in the polls nominated 637 candidates for the 68 seats (6 Chairmen and 62 Councillors) in Abuja.
INEC urged Nigerians to go through the documents thoroughly and challenge the nomination of any candidate found guilty of providing false information at a Federal High Court, as provided in Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022.
The commission is set to publish the final list of candidates on the 22nd September 2025, which is at least 150 days before the day of the election in line with the provision of Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 and listed as item 7 on the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the polls.
Announcing that the FCT Area Council election will take place on Saturda,y 21st February 2026, INEC pledged to keep updating citizens on all of its activities.
