Politics

INEC fixes February 3 for re-run, bye-elections in 9 states

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed February 3, 2023, for the conduct of re-run and bye-elections in nine states of the federation.

The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, made the disclosure in the timetable and schedule of activities for elections released on Friday, December 22, 2023.

Olumekun stated that INEC approved the timetable and schedule of activities for the bye-election resulting from resignations or demise of members of the National and State Houses of Assembly.

He said the vacancies were declared by the presiding officers – the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Speakers of State Houses of Assembly.

The INEC official said: “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.”

Olumekun noted that the timetable for the election, along with detailed delimitation data (i.e. registration areas, Polling Unit names, the number of registered voters, and PVCs collected), had been uploaded on the INEC website and social media platforms as a guide to political parties and candidates, and for public information.

He urged political parties and candidates to adhere to the specified timelines for the conduct of the elections.

The Star