Stop Creating Bye-Election Chains, Field Fresh Candidates – INEC Tells Political Parties

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on political parties to prioritize nominating fresh candidates for upcoming bye-elections into state and federal legislative positions to address the recurring issue of multiple vacancies.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made this appeal during the Commission’s first quarterly meeting with political parties for the year. He revealed that since the inauguration of the current national and state assemblies in June 2023, a total of 23 legislative constituencies have experienced vacancies due to various reasons.

Highlighting the challenges, Yakubu noted that INEC conducted nine bye-elections early last year, and 14 additional vacancies have arisen since then. He described these elections as “unpredictable, unbudgeted, and difficult to plan in advance,” stressing that some bye-elections trigger a cycle of more elections.

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Citing examples, the INEC Chairman explained, “There were situations where a bye-election in one senatorial district was won by a member of the House of Representatives from the same district, creating another vacancy. Similarly, a member of the State Assembly won a bye-election to the House of Representatives, leading to yet another vacancy at the State Assembly. Consequently, one bye-election led to three bye-elections.”

Yakubu emphasized that this pattern diverts the Commission’s focus from its broader electoral responsibilities and increases operational costs. He further reiterated INEC’s long-standing advocacy for a cost-effective approach to filling legislative vacancies, akin to practices in other parts of the world, and called on stakeholders to support necessary legislative amendments to address the issue.

“Over the last nine years, INEC under my leadership has consistently advocated for alternatives to the current system. Three weeks ago, we raised this matter again during the defense of our 2025 budget before the joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives,” he said.

The INEC Chairman praised political parties for their cooperation in past bye-elections, noting that before the February 2023 general elections, parties ensured that all vacancies were filled with fresh candidates, reducing the likelihood of cascading elections. He urged political parties to sustain this collaborative effort to streamline the bye-election process.

Yakubu concluded by appealing to party leaders, saying, “We appeal to you to nominate fresh candidates for bye-elections instead of serving members, so we don’t have to conduct several bye-elections for the same constituency. Let us continue in this cooperative spirit to ensure effective electoral processes.”