INEC Set To Conduct Bye Election, Fixes February

By Ayodele Oni

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, has announced a tentative date to conduct re-run and bye- elections to fill the vacant positions in both the National Assembly and the State Houses of Assembly.

Yakubu, in a consultative meeting with leaders of political parties on Monday, revealed that elections will hold in the first week of February 2024.

The INEC Boss, while providing further details of the Elections, said the rerun elections is in compliance with the ruling of the various tribunals that mandated them to conduct the elections within 90 days while the bye-election is as result of death or resignation adding that the two types of elections will be held on the same day.

“First, as the Election Petition Appeal Tribunals set up in the aftermath of the 2023 General Election gradually wind up their proceedings, the Commission is required to conduct re-run elections in some constituencies by court order.

“Secondly, the Commission is also required to conduct bye-elections to fill vacancies arising from the death or resignation of members of the National and State Houses of Assembly.

“The Commission intends to combine and conduct the two categories of elections on the same day, the details of which will be discussed at this meeting.

“As you are aware, re-run elections only involve the parties and candidates that participated in the general election unless a party wishes to replace a deceased candidate.

“However, bye-elections are fresh elections. Consequently, political parties must conduct fresh primaries within the limited period of time provided by law.

Prof. Yakubu said further details will be provided after supreme court verdict on the petitions before them, the Governorship election.