JUST IN: INEC Sets Date for Anambra South, Other Bye-Elections, Announces Voter Registration Plans

By Arthur Maduka

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially scheduled bye-elections for Saturday, August 16, 2025, in 16 constituencies across 12 states. The announcement was made during a consultative meeting with leaders of registered political parties as part of INEC’s ongoing stakeholder engagements.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, stated that the bye-elections will cover 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. However, elections will not be held in Khana II State Constituency in Rivers State due to a state of emergency, or in Talata Mafara South State Constituency in Zamfara State because of a pending legal dispute.

Yakubu highlighted the tight timeline ahead of the August polls. Political parties are expected to hold primaries from July 17 to 21, with nomination forms to be submitted on the INEC portal between July 22 and July 26. Public campaigns are to commence on August 2 and will run until August 14.

As part of preparations for the Anambra State Governorship election, INEC will also resume the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. In Anambra, the exercise will run from July 8 to 17, covering all 326 Wards. Registration will be open daily, including weekends, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This will accommodate new registrants, transfers, replacements of lost or damaged PVCs, and collection of unclaimed cards.

Nationwide CVR is also set to resume. Online pre-registration begins on August 18, followed by in-person registration from August 25 at INEC’s 37 State and FCT offices and 774 Local Government Area offices.

Speaking on behalf of political parties, Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle, National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), expressed full support for INEC’s efforts and reaffirmed IPAC’s commitment to electoral integrity. He encouraged all stakeholders to protect the credibility of the electoral process and called for the use of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, to boost transparency and voter confidence.

Dantalle also applauded INEC and the Federal Government for the construction of the Commission’s new headquarters annex, describing it as a key development for enhancing administrative efficiency.

The meeting was attended by INEC National Commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission, advisers to the Chairman, and directors from various departments.