The Independent National Electoral Commission will deploy 7,726 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices for the upcoming by-elections scheduled for Saturday, August 16, 2025 in 12 states.

A top INEC official said that the devices would be distributed across 16 constituencies in the 12 states.

The official said, “The commission would deploy 7,726 BVAS devices for the by-elections scheduled for Saturday.”

According to INEC, the by-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 state and federal lawmakers.

The affected constituencies include Anambra South and Edo Central Senatorial Districts; Ovia South West/Ovia South East (Edo), Babura/Garki (Jigawa), Chikun/Kajuru (Kaduna), Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North (Ogun), and Ibadan North (Oyo) Federal Constituencies.

The nine state Assembly seats are 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).

In total, 30,451 officials will be deployed to manage elections for 3,553,659 registered voters across 32 local government areas, 356 wards, and 6,987 polling units.

INEC, however, noted that by-elections will not hold in Khana II (Rivers State) and Talata Mafara South (Zamfara State) due to security and legal concerns.

Campaigns will run from August 2 to 14.

Additionally, INEC will also conduct re-run elections on August 16 in two previously disrupted constituencies: Enugu South I (Enugu State) and Ghari/Tsanyawa (Kano State).

To ensure security during the elections, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps will deploy 20,850 officers across the affected constituencies.

Speaking to our correspondent, NSCDC spokesperson, Afolabi Babawale, stated that the Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Audi, had assured the public of the corps’ preparedness to ensure a free, fair, and credible election, working in collaboration with the Nigeria Police, which serves as the lead agency for election security.

“The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Prof. Ahmed Audi, has directed the deployment of 20,850 personnel to ensure a smooth and peaceful electoral process.

“The CG has assured the public of the corps’ full readiness to protect critical national assets and infrastructure, secure election materials, ensure the safety of electoral officials, and monitor the entire election process in close collaboration with the Nigerian Police, which serves as the lead agency for election security operations,” Babawale noted.

Audi also directed state commandants in the 12 participating states to work closely with other security agencies, emphasising professionalism, respect for citizens’ rights, and peaceful conduct during the polls.

“Following INEC’s announcement of by-elections to fill two senatorial seats, five federal constituencies, and nine state assembly constituencies, all NSCDC personnel deployed across Anambra, Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun, Oyo, Taraba, Kogi, Kano, Niger, and other participating states are instructed to collaborate closely with sister agencies to ensure a peaceful and orderly process,” Babawale said.

The CG further encouraged eligible voters to turn out in large numbers to exercise their democratic rights.

Parties sign peace pacts in Oyo, Edo

Meanwhile, five candidates contesting the forthcoming Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election in Oyo State on Wednesday signed a peace accord at the state’s INEC headquarters in Ibadan.

The candidates are Femi Akin-Alamu of the African Democratic Congress; Adewale Olatunji of the All Progressives Congress; Olabisi Odususi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance; Fola Oyekunle of the Peoples Democratic Party; and Hammed Badmus of the Zenith Labour Party.

The by-election, scheduled for Saturday, August 16, 2025, follows the death of two-term House of Representatives member Musiliudeen Akinremi, popularly known as “Jagaban,” who died in July 2024 at the age of 51 in Abuja after a brief illness.

Addressing stakeholders at the ceremony, Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Tella Adeniran, said the peace accord was necessary to ensure a free and fair election.

He urged candidates and their supporters to conduct themselves with decorum and sportsmanship throughout the process, assuring them of INEC’s commitment to a credible poll.

“This gathering demonstrates your commitment to promoting peace, stability and credibility in the electoral process,” Adeniran said. “The signing of this peace accord is a crucial step towards ensuring a free, fair and transparent election. I urge all stakeholders to adhere to its principles and create an environment where voters can exercise their rights without fear or intimidation.”

The event was attended by political party leaders, security chiefs, and other stakeholders.

Similarly, in Edo State, the Police Command has invited all candidates contesting for House of Representatives and Senatorial seats in the August 16 by-elections to a similar peace accord signing.

Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, said in a statement on Wednesday that the move was a proactive step to ensure a peaceful, secure, and credible electoral process.

The event, scheduled for Thursday, August 14, 2025, at noon, will take place at the Edo State Police Command Headquarters in Benin City. Political party chairmen have also been invited.

“The peace accord aims to foster mutual respect among contestants, discourage violence, and ensure democratic principles are upheld before, during, and after the elections,” the statement read.

The Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, urged political parties, candidates, and supporters to shun violence, hate speech, vote buying, and any conduct capable of undermining the credibility of the electoral process or the peace and stability of the state.

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