The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it would conduct re-run and bye-elections simultaneously in nine states on Saturday, February 3, 2024.
This was contained in a statement signed by the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, on Friday.
For the senatorial districts, elections would be held in Ebonyi South, Ebonyi State, and Yobe East, Yobe State.
For the state constituencies, INEC will conduct elections in Chibok State Constituency, Borno State, Chikun State Constituency, Kaduna State, and Guma State Constituency, Benue State.
For federal constituencies, the election will be held in Akoko North East/Akoko North West Federal Constituency, Ondo State, Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency, Taraba State, Surulere 1 Federal Constituency, Lagos State, and Yauri/Shanga/Ngaski Federal Constituency, Kebbi State.
Olumekun noted that the vacancies were declared by the presiding officers — the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Speakers of State Houses of Assembly.
He further said that 35 constituencies were affected by these court-ordered elections; while three cover entire constituencies, others involve only a few polling units.
The National Commissioner said, “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, February 3, 2024.”
Olumekun also added that the timetable for the elections, along with detailed delimitation data, has been uploaded to the INEC website and social media platforms as a guide for political parties and candidates and public information.
The commission therefore urged parties and candidates to strictly adhere to the specified timelines for the seamless conduct of these elections.
