- INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, reveals plans to conduct re-run and bye-elections in 34 federal and state constituencies
- The 34 constituencies represent 2.8% of petitions filed, including one senatorial district, 11 federal constituencies, and 22 state assembly constituencies
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed its target of conducting re-run and bye-elections in 34 federal and state constituencies during the first week of February 2024. The announcement was made by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, during an extraordinary consultative meeting with political parties held at the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Monday.
Prof. Yakubu highlighted that the 34 constituencies, which represent 2.8% of the 1,191 petitions filed by litigants, include one senatorial district, 11 federal constituencies, and 22 state assembly constituencies. The Election Petition Appeal Tribunals have mandated INEC to organize re-run elections in these constituencies.
The INEC chairman expressed the commission’s intention to consolidate and conduct both categories of elections on the same day. Among the 34 re-run elections, only three cases necessitate the commission to conduct elections across entire constituencies, while the remaining 31 constituencies require elections in specific polling units (PUs).
Prof. Yakubu conveyed that following the consultative meeting, the commission will review preparations and announce a definite date, along with a detailed timetable and schedule of activities for the elections.
INEC plans bye-elections for February
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is eyeing Thursday, February 1st, 2024, as a potential date for bye-elections across various states and federal constituencies to fill vacancies in legislative positions.
This announcement follows the imperative need to address gaps left by court orders, resignations, and unfortunate deaths within the state and federal legislatures.
Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of INEC, disclosed this development during a recent meeting held with political party leaders, according to The Nation newspaper.
The INEC Chairman stressed that after the resolution of legal disputes, the courts have directed the commission to organise rerun elections in 34 constituencies, including one senatorial seat, 11 federal constituencies, and 22 state constituencies.