The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is currently conducting bye and re-run elections in 80 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across 26 states in Nigeria.
These elections aim to replace members who have either passed away or resigned from their positions in the national and state assemblies.
Additionally, there will be rerun elections at specific constituencies or polling units as directed by the election appeal tribunals. INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, has stated that these elections will fill vacancies in at least three senatorial districts, 17 federal constituencies, and 28 state constituencies.
The elections will involve a total of 4,904,627 registered voters, out of which 4,613,291 have already collected their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs). To ensure a smooth and successful exercise, INEC has partnered with the Nigerian Air Force to transport sensitive and electoral materials to the designated areas.
The states where these elections will take place include Ebonyi, Yobe, Kebbi, Lagos, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, Borno, Kaduna, Plateau, Akwa Ibom, and Anambra, among others.
Yakubu, the head of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), announced on Tuesday that the distribution of sensitive materials for the upcoming rerun and by-elections in 26 states had begun. However, due to unique challenges, the commission requested assistance from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to deliver materials to states in the Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest regions.
The elections are scheduled for this weekend, and materials are being delivered to various locations in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
To ensure a smooth conduct of the polls, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, declared a restriction on vehicular and human movements in the affected areas from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Election Day. However, individuals on essential services, INEC officials, accredited media, electoral observers, ambulances, and firefighters responding to emergencies will be exempted from the restriction.
Additionally, the IGP ordered a ban on security aides and escorts accompanying VIPs and politicians to polling booths and collation centers, including state-established security outfits and privately owned security organizations, to prevent interference or intimidation during the election.
