The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that it has fixed October, 31 for outstanding the conduct of the 12 pending constituencies by-elections in the country, including those of senatorial, House of Representatives, and State House of Assemblies by-elections. The information was contained in a statement by INEC's National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, in Abuja on Tuesday. The commission said it would have long conducted the by-elections but for the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The by-election will take place as a result of death, resignation, and court nullification of the former occupants.
By the harmonized timetable, INEC said that it would give the Notice of Election on August 17, 2020, while political parties will conduct their primaries to nominate candidates between August 24, and September 8, 2020.
INEC said in the statement that the submission of forms and personal particulars of candidates will commence on September 9 and close at 6 p.m. on September 13, 2020.
The commission also disclosed the timetable and schedule of activities for the by-elections that have been uploaded on the commission's website and social media platforms.
According to INEC, the by-elections will take place in the following senatorial district and federal constituencies, Bayelsa Central Senatorial District; Bayelsa West Senatorial District; Nganzai State Constituency, Borno State; Bayo State Constituency, Borno State; Cross River North Senatorial District and the Obudu State Constituency, Cross River State.
Other bye-elections will take place in Imo North Senatorial District; Lagos East Senatorial District; Kosofe II State Constituency, Lagos State; Plateau South Senatorial District; Bakura State Constituency, Zamfara State; and in Ibaji State Constituency, Kogi State.
The commission encouraged concerned stakeholders, particularly political parties to take note of the timelines in the schedule and adhere to them strictly.
