August 14, 2025 – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed the completion of recruitment and training for ad hoc staff ahead of the upcoming bye-elections scheduled for Saturday, 16th August 2025.
In a press statement released after its regular weekly meeting on Thursday, 14th August 2025, the Commission disclosed that preparations for the polls, including security and logistics arrangements, have been finalised.
“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,” the statement read.
The bye-elections will be conducted in 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. The elections are being held to fill vacancies created by the resignation or death of serving members of the National and State Houses of Assembly.
INEC further announced that court-ordered re-run elections in the Enugu South 1 State Constituency of Enugu State and the Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency of Kano State will take place alongside the bye-elections.
According to the Commission, all non-sensitive election materials have been delivered to the affected states, while election technology, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), has been configured for use. Political parties and candidates were reminded that campaigns officially end at midnight on Thursday, 14th August 2025.
“With less than 48 hours to the opening of polls, the Commission reiterates its appeal to all those involved in the bye-elections — political parties, candidates, voters, party agents, observers, and the media — to adhere strictly to the provisions of the law, regulations, and guidelines. Doing so will ensure a seamless process,” INEC stated.
The Commission also announced that the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will resume on Monday, 18th August 2025, with online pre-registration for eligible citizens. Physical (in-person) registration will follow a week later on Monday, 25th August 2025, at 811 INEC state and local government offices nationwide. Citizens can find the list and locations of these centres, along with dedicated telephone numbers for assistance, on the INEC website and other official platforms.
An active CVR Locator will go live on Sunday, 17th August 2025, to guide citizens on where to register. During the CVR, Nigerians can also transfer their voter registration within their state or to another state, and replace lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in line with the law. INEC stressed that the CVR is open only to Nigerian citizens aged 18 years or older who have never registered before. “Double or multiple registration is a punishable offence under the law,” the Commission warned.
In addition, INEC announced the publication of personal particulars of candidates for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections. Seventeen political parties submitted their candidates’ nomination forms by the deadline of 6:00 p.m. on Monday, 11th August 2025, when the portal automatically shut down. The particulars, including Form EC9, academic credentials, and other submitted documents, will be displayed in all INEC offices in the six area councils of the FCT starting Monday, 18th August 2025.
The 17 participating parties have nominated 637 candidates for 68 positions, including six chairmanship seats and 62 councillorship positions.
INEC urged Nigerians to scrutinise the published documents and reminded political aspirants that they can challenge any false information provided by candidates in the Federal High Court, in line with Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022.
The final list of candidates will be released on 22nd September 2025, at least 150 days before the election date, in compliance with Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022. The FCT Area Council election is scheduled for Saturday, 21st February 2026.
By confirming the completion of ad hoc staff recruitment, the delivery of election materials, and the resumption of voter registration, INEC expressed confidence that all arrangements are in place to ensure smooth and credible elections across the affected constituencies.