By: Mercy Peter
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission on Wednesday said date for the resumption of Continuous Voter Registration will be announced in due course.
Equally to be announced in due course, Yakubu said is the date for bye-elections into Federal and state Assemblies.
He made the disclosure at the first quarterly consultative meeting with leadership of registered political parties in the country.
INEC boss said vacancies exist in 23 constituencies across the country as a result of death of serving parliamentarian or resignation.
He said: “In due course, the Commission will come up with plans for other routine activities such as the resumption of nationwide Continuous Voter registration (CVR) and the conduct of outstanding bye-elections.
“Over the last one and a half years since the inauguration of the current National and State Assemblies in June 2023, vacancies have occurred in 23 constituencies as a result of death of serving members or their voluntary resignation for executive positions at Federal, State and even Local Government levels as Ministers, Commissioners, Chairman of a Local Government and even board appointment.
“While the Commission conducted nine bye-elections early last year, 14 more vacancies have occurred since then.
“They are unpredictable, unbudgeted and difficult to plan in advance. Worse, some bye-elections lead to more bye-elections. There were situations where a bye-election in one Senatorial District was won by a serving member of the House of Representatives from the same District thereby creating another vacancy. “In turn, a member of the State Assembly won the bye-election to the House of Representatives thereby creating a vacancy in the State Assembly.
“Consequently, one by-election led to three bye-elections. Not only are these bye-elections costly, they also divert the Commission’s attention from its other extensive electoral responsibilities.”
He stressed the need for all the stakeholders to workout an acceptable way of filling vacancies as been the case in other climes.
“Over the last nine years since 2016, the present Commission has been advocating for a more cost-effective alternative means of filling vacancies as is the case in many jurisdictions around the world. We have similarly been appealing to stakeholders, including political parties, to join the advocacy and for the National Assembly to amend the law accordingly. Just three weeks ago, we canvassed this position once again during the defence of our 2025 budget before the joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives at the National Assembly. We are glad that more Nigerians are now joining the advocacy. We hope that working together, we will continue to reform and improve on our electoral process,” he added.
