INEC plans to hold re-runs and by-elections in February 2024

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has made an announcement regarding the simultaneous conduct of re-runs and by-elections in nine states of the federation on Saturday, February 3, 2024. These vacancies were declared by the presiding officers of the National Assembly, including the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and speakers of state houses of assembly.

Sam Olumekun, the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, stated in a released statement on Friday that the commission has approved the timetable and schedule of activities for conducting by-elections resulting from the resignation or demise of members of the National Assembly and state houses of assembly.

Olumekun emphasized that the vacancies occurred across two senatorial districts, four federal constituencies, and three state constituencies, spanning nine states of the federation.

He further mentioned that the Commission is also conducting re-run elections as directed by various election petition appeal tribunals, which stem from the 2023 general election. A total of 35 constituencies are affected by these court-ordered elections, with three covering entire constituencies and others involving only a few polling units. Both types of elections are scheduled to take place simultaneously in all affected constituencies on Saturday, February 3, 2024.

Olumekun informed that the timetable for the elections, along with detailed delimitation data such as registration areas, polling unit names, the number of registered voters, and PVCs collected, have been uploaded on the commission’s website and social media platforms. This information serves as a guide for political parties and candidates, as well as for public information.

The electoral body urged political parties and candidates to strictly adhere to the specified timelines to ensure the smooth conduct of these elections.