INEC okays timetable, schedule of bye-elections in 35 constituencies

•Fixes Feb 3 for polls

By Lateef Ibrahim

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has approved the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for conducting bye-elections resulting from the resignation or demise of members of the National and State Houses of Assembly.
The approval was contained in a statement issued and signed by an INEC National Commissioner and Chairman
Information Voter Education Committee, Mr Sam Olumekun on Friday in Abuja.
The vacancies, according to the statement, were declared by the Presiding Officers- the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Speakers of State Houses of Assembly.
The INEC statement explained that the vacancies occurred across two Senatorial Districts, four Federal Constituencies, and three State Constituencies spanning nine States of the Federation.
The Commission stressed that it is conducting re-run elections stemming from the 2023 General Election, as directed by various Election Petition Appeal Tribunals.
It revealed that currently, 35 Constituencies are affected by these Court-ordered elections.
While three cover entire constituencies, others involve only a few Polling Units, the statement said.
Both categories of elections, according to INEC, are scheduled to take place simultaneously in all affected constituencies on Saturday 3rd February 2024.
The statement by INEC reds,”The Commission has approved the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for conducting bye-elections resulting from the resignation or demise of Members of the National and State Houses of Assembly.
“These vacancies were declared by the Presiding Officers i.e. the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Speakers of State Houses of Assembly.
“The vacancies occurred across two Senatorial Districts, four Federal Constituencies, and three State Constituencies spanning nine States of the Federation.
“Furthermore, the Commission is conducting re-run elections stemming from the 2023 General Election, as directed by various Election Petition Appeal Tribunals.
“Currently, 35 Constituencies are affected by these Court-ordered elections.
“While three cover entire constituencies, others involve only a few Polling Units.
Both categories of elections are scheduled to take place simultaneously in all affected constituencies on Saturday 3rd February 2024.
“The Timetable for the elections, along with detailed delimitation data (i.e. registration areas, polling unit names, the number of registered voters and PVCs collected), has been uploaded to our website and social media platforms as a guide to political parties and candidates, and for public information”, the commission said.
It however urged parties and candidates to strictly adhere to the specified timelines for the seamless conduct of these elections.