The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has made known its final preparations for the 2025 bye-elections, the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and publication of names of candidates for the FCT Area Council Elections.
The 2025 bye-elections will take place on Saturday 16 August, 2025.
INEC said, it is conducting the bye-elections following the “resignation or death” of serving members of national and State Houses of Assembly.
This was made known via a Press Release signed by Sam Olumekun mni, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information & Voter Education Committee, on Thursday 14 August, 2025.
INEC said, it has delivered to States all non-sensitive materials for the election, as well as, election technology, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), has been configured for the exercise.
The Press Release reads: “The Commission held its regular weekly meeting today, Thursday 14th August 2025. Among other matters, the meeting discussed the final preparations for 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-electionsOn Saturday 16th August 2025, bye-elections will be held in 16 constituencies across 12 States of the Federation, involving 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. As Nigerians are aware, these bye-elections were caused by the resignation or death of serving members of 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.
“All non-sensitive materials for the election have been delivered to the States. Election technology, such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) 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.
“The Commission wishes to remind political parties and candidates that campaigns end at midnight today, 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 as 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 seamless processes.
“Resumption of the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) The CVR will resume on Monday 18th August 2025 nationwide with the online pre-registration of voters. The physical or in-person registration will follow a week later at the 811 INEC State and Local Government offices across the country on Monday 25th August 2025. The list and locations of the centres, including dedicated telephone numbers for citizens in need of assistance can be obtained from our website and other online platforms. The active CVR Locator will also go live on Sunday 17th August 2025.
“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.
“It needs to be re-emphasied that the CVR is only open to Nigerian citizens who are 18 years or older and who have not registered before as double or multiple registration is a punishable offence under the law.
“Publication of Personal Particulars of Candidates for the FCT Area Council Election Following the conclusion of party primaries for the Area Council election in the FCT, seventeen (17) Political Parties uploaded their candidates’ nomination forms by the deadline of 6.00pm on Monday 11th August 2025 when the dedicated portal automatically shut down.
“In line with the provision of Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, the Commission will on Monday 18th August 2025 publish the personal particulars of candidates by displaying copies of their Form EC9 along with all the accompanying academic credentials and other documents submitted by them, in all our offices in the six Area Councils in the FCT.
“The 17 parties participating in the election nominated 637 candidates for the 68 seats (6 Chairmen and 62 Councillors) in the FCT.
“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 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 our Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election.
“The FCT Area Council election is scheduled for Saturday 21st February 2026.”
