INEC Calls for Fresh Candidates to Ease Bye-Election Burden

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has made a strong appeal to political parties, urging them to begin nominating fresh candidates for bye-elections in state and federal legislative positions. This plea comes as a result of 23 vacancies that have occurred across constituencies since the inauguration of the current national and state assemblies in June 2023.

Speaking during the first quarterly meeting of the year with political party leaders, INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu highlighted that in the past year and a half, the Commission had to conduct nine bye-elections, with an additional 14 vacancies arising since then. These bye-elections, he noted, are difficult to predict and plan for, as well as being unbudgeted events that often spiral into more by-elections.

Prof. Yakubu provided examples of how one bye-election can set off a chain reaction of vacancies. He shared instances where a Senator’s seat, once vacated, was filled by a House of Representatives member from the same district, which then triggered another vacancy at the State Assembly level. This chain of events has, at times, resulted in up to three bye-elections for a single constituency.

In light of these challenges, the INEC Chairman emphasized that these frequent elections distract from the Commission’s broader electoral responsibilities. He expressed concern over the financial and logistical strain these unexpected elections place on the organization.

Yakubu also reiterated that INEC has long advocated for a more cost-effective method of filling vacancies, similar to practices seen in other parts of the world. He urged political parties and stakeholders to join the call for amending existing laws to streamline the process.

Recalling a recent appearance before the joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives, he mentioned that INEC once again pushed for this law amendment during the defense of the 2025 budget. He concluded by thanking the political parties for their cooperation thus far, especially in responding positively when vacancies arose before the first set of elections last year.

Prof. Yakubu hopes that by nominating fresh candidates for bye-elections, the Commission can avoid the logistical nightmare of multiple elections in a single constituency. His ultimate goal is to ensure that each constituency undergoes only one bye-election at a time, rather than several, which has become a common occurrence.