Seventeen political parties and 637 candidates are competing for 68 seats in Saturday’s by-elections across 12 states.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has already sent essential voting materials to specific areas to make sure everything goes smoothly.
The elections will take place in two senatorial districts of Edo Central and Anambra South, as well as in five federal constituencies and nine state constituencies.
These positions became vacant due to the deaths of some officials, resignations, and legal disputes over seats.
Notably, the seat for Edo Central is open because Senator Monday Okpebholo resigned to become governor.
In Anambra South, voters will choose a new senator to replace Ifeanyi Ubah, who passed away last year.
Additionally, there will be a vote to fill the Ovia North/Ovia South Federal Constituency seat after Denis Idahosa was elected as the deputy governor of Edo State.
Political parties wrapped up their campaigning yesterday, following the rules set out in the Electoral Act.
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INEC National Commissioner, Sam Olumekun, said all the technology needed for verifying voter identities has been set up for the elections.
In total, 17 political parties are participating, with 637 candidates competing for 68 open seats.
To ensure safety during the elections, around 20,850 security personnel have been assigned to the districts and constituencies involved.
Olumekun emphasized INEC’s commitment to conducting fair and credible elections.
He mentioned that the commission met recently to finalize plans for these elections and to discuss the upcoming voter registration process in the Federal Capital Territory.
