INEC schedules by‑elections for August 16 to fill 16 legislative seats across 12 states

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially set Saturday, August 16, 2025, for by‑elections in 16 constituencies across 12 states, aimed at filling vacant seats in both the National and State Assemblies . These elections will cover:

2 senatorial districts: Anambra South and Edo Central

5 federal constituencies: Ovia South West/South East (Edo), Babura/Garki (Jigawa), Chikun/Kajuru (Kaduna), Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North (Ogun), Ibadan North (Oyo)

9 state assembly constituencies: Ganye (Adamawa), Onitsha North I (Anambra), Dekina/Okura (Kogi), Zaria Kewaye & Basawa (Kaduna), Bagwai/Shanono (Kano), Mariga (Niger), Karim Lamido I (Taraba), Kauran Namoda South (Zamfara).

A total of 3,553,659 registered voters are eligible to participate across 32 LGAs, 356 wards, and 6,987 polling units. INEC plans to deploy 30,451 staff nationwide for the polls.

However, by‑elections in Khana II (Rivers State) and Talata Mafara South (Zamfara State) have been postponed due to a state of emergency action and an ongoing legal challenge, respectively.

Important timeline reminders from INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu:

Party primaries: July 17–21, 2025

Nomination submission portal: Opens July 22 at 9 a.m., closes July 26 at 6 p.m.

Campaign period: August 2–14, 2025

Election Day: August 16, 2025 .

The commission also confirmed the recommencement of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR):

Anambra State: July 8–17 for in-person registration

Nationwide: Pre-registration online begins August 18; in-person thereafter from August 25 .