The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is currently overseeing by-elections and re-runs in 26 states on Saturday. The elections are taking place in 80 Local Government Areas across 575 registration areas and 8,934 polling units.
The participating states include Ebonyi, Yobe, Kebbi, Lagos, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, Borno, Kaduna, Plateau, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Cross River, Delta, Enugu, Jigawa, Katsina, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Kano, Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, shared that 4,904,627 million voters were registered for the elections, while 4,613,291 million permanent voter cards were collected.
By-elections are being held in two senatorial, four House of Representatives, and three state Houses of Assembly seats across nine states due to deaths and resignations. Additionally, re-runs resulting from court orders are taking place in one senatorial, 11 federal, and 22 state constituencies.
Among the notable elections is the replacement for individuals who resigned to take up appointments in the administration led by President Bola Tinubu. The Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has ordered the restriction of vehicular movement from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. in all 26 states to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
However, tension has arisen in Plateau State due to the omission of the logo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on ballot papers, leading to protests by PDP supporters. The DSS has issued a statement warning against actions that could lead to a breakdown of law and order during and after the elections, urging political parties to adhere to the Electoral Act.
