The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on political parties to prioritize the nomination of fresh candidates for bye-elections to fill state and federal legislative vacancies. The Commission expressed concerns over the cascading nature of such elections, which often result in additional vacancies and strain electoral resources.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the 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, 23 legislative constituencies have become vacant.
Prof. Yakubu explained that INEC conducted nine bye-elections in early 2024, and 14 more vacancies have since arisen, underscoring the unpredictable and unbudgeted nature of these elections. He noted that the outcomes of some bye-elections frequently lead to additional ones, further compounding the challenges.
“For instance, there have been cases where a House of Representatives member from a senatorial district wins a bye-election to the Senate, creating another vacancy in the House. Similarly, a State Assembly member winning a bye-election to the House of Representatives results in a vacancy in the State Assembly. Consequently, one bye-election often triggers three,” Yakubu stated.
The INEC Chairman highlighted the diversion of resources and attention caused by these recurring elections, which detract from the Commission’s broader electoral responsibilities.
Advocating for a legislative solution, Yakubu emphasized the need for a more cost-effective mechanism for filling legislative vacancies, a position INEC has consistently championed since 2016. He urged stakeholders, including political parties, to support the Commission’s call for the National Assembly to amend the relevant laws.
“Just three weeks ago, we reiterated this position during the defense of our 2025 budget before the joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives. We appeal to political parties to nominate fresh candidates for bye-elections rather than fielding serving legislators, which often leads to multiple vacancies,” he said.
Yakubu commended the political parties for their cooperation before the 2024 general elections when they positively responded to INEC’s call to address similar issues.
“I hope this spirit of collaboration continues so that we can conduct one bye-election per constituency instead of multiple elections triggered by a single vacancy,” he added.
INEC’s plea underscores the need for a streamlined and efficient approach to addressing legislative vacancies, reducing the strain on electoral resources and ensuring a more effective electoral process.
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