Abuja, Nigeria — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the deployment of 7,726 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines for the upcoming by-elections set to hold on Saturday, August 16, 2025, across 12 states.
A senior INEC official confirmed to The PUNCH that the devices will be distributed across 16 constituencies in the affected states.
“The commission will deploy 7,726 BVAS devices for the by-elections scheduled for Saturday,” the official stated.
According to INEC, the elections will cover two senatorial districts, five federal constituencies, and nine state assembly seats. The vacancies arose due to resignations, deaths, and court-ordered nullifications of legislative seats.
The constituencies include Anambra South and Edo Central Senatorial Districts, as well as federal constituencies such as Ovia South West/Ovia South East (Edo), Babura/Garki (Jigawa), Chikun/Kajuru (Kaduna), Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North (Ogun), and Ibadan North (Oyo).
State assembly seats up for grabs are in Ganye (Adamawa), Onitsha North I (Anambra), Dekina/Okura (Kogi), Zaria Kewaye and Basawa (Kaduna), Bagwai/Shanono (Kano), Mariga (Niger), Karim Lamido I (Taraba), and Kauran Namoda South (Zamfara).
A total of 30,451 officials will oversee the elections, which will involve 3,553,659 registered voters across 32 local government areas, 356 wards, and 6,987 polling units.
However, INEC noted that by-elections will not take place in Khana II (Rivers State) and Talata Mafara South (Zamfara State) due to security and legal concerns. Campaigns are permitted from August 2 to 14.
Additionally, re-run elections will be conducted in Enugu South I (Enugu State) and Ghari/Tsanyawa (Kano State) following previous disruptions.
Security Deployment for Polls
To ensure safety, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) will deploy 20,850 personnel across the affected areas.
NSCDC spokesperson Afolabi Babawale stated that the Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Audi, has assured full preparedness to collaborate with the police—the lead agency for election security—to guarantee a smooth and credible process.
“The CG has directed state commandants in the 12 participating states to work closely with other security agencies, emphasizing professionalism, respect for citizens’ rights, and peaceful conduct,” Babawale said.
Audi also encouraged eligible voters to turn out en masse to exercise their democratic rights.
Peace Accords Signed in Oyo, Edo
In Oyo State, five candidates vying for the Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election signed a peace pact at the INEC headquarters in Ibadan on Wednesday. The candidates include representatives from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Congress (APC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The election follows the death of former House of Representatives member Musiliudeen Akinremi (Jagaban), who passed away in July 2024.
Oyo State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Tella Adeniran, urged stakeholders to uphold decorum and assured them of a credible process.
“This peace accord is crucial for ensuring a free, fair, and transparent election,” Adeniran emphasized.
Similarly, in Edo State, the police command has invited all candidates contesting in the by-elections to sign a peace accord on Thursday, August 14, 2025, in Benin City.
Police Public Relations Officer Moses Yamu stated that the initiative aims to promote mutual respect, discourage violence, and uphold democratic principles.
Edo State Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika warned against violence, hate speech, vote-buying, and other acts that could undermine the electoral process.
By Adeola Olaniya| August 14, 2025
Discover more from DnewsInfo
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
