2027: Nationwide CVR to commence August 18, 2025 – Prof Yakubu

.As INEC fixes by-elections for August 16

.Excludes Rivers, Zamfara from polls

IGNATIUS OKOROCHA, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission Thursday, declared that the resumption of  Nationwide Continuous Voter Registration commences from August 18, 2025.

INEC Chairman, Yakubu Mahmood, disclosed this during the second quarterly consultative meeting between the Commission and the registered political parties in the country.

Recall that Mahmood had on Wednesday at the consultative meeting with the media promised to announce the date for resumption of the exercise in 24 hours.

Addressing leadership of the various political parties, on Thursday,  Mahmood said: “For the nationwide CVR, the Commission has approved the resumption of the online and in-person registration of voters in all the States of the Federation.

“The online pre-registration will start on 18th August 2025 while the in-person registration will follow on 25th August 2025. The exercise will be held simultaneously in all our 37 State and FCT offices as well as our 774 Local Government offices nationwide. A detailed schedule of activities will be released shortly.”

On the issue of bye-election, the  Commission, he said, has fixed Saturday, 16th August 2025.

The INEC boss said: “The bye-elections will take place in 16 constituencies across 12 States of the country involving a total of 3,553,659 registered voters spread across 32 Local Government Areas, 356 Wards and 6,987 Polling Units.

“Consequently, the Commission has fixed Saturday, 16th August 2025 for bye-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 States of the country involving a total of 3,553,659 registered voters spread across 32 Local Government Areas, 356 Wards and 6,987 Polling Units.”

He added that no fewer than 30,451 officials will be deployed for the bye-election.

Meanwhile, the  Commission has given reasons for excluding Rivers and Zamfara States from the 16 August 2025 bye-elections.

According Prof. Mahmood, there will be no bye-election in Khana II State Constituency in Rivers State as a result of the current state of emergency.

Mahmood also blamed the ongoing legal tussle for excluding Talata Mafara South State Constituency in Zamfara State from the August date.

The INEC boss spoke on Thursday during the second ordinary consultative meeting between the commission and leadership of all registered parties in the country.

He said: Consequently, the Commission has fixed Saturday, 16th August 2025 for bye-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 states of the country.

“However, in spite of the declaration of vacancies, bye-elections will not hold in two State constituencies for the time being. These are Khana II State Constituency in Rivers State as a result of the current state of emergency and Talata Mafara South State Constituency in Zamfara State following a legal challenge to the declaration of the seat vacant by the State Assembly.

Also, IPAC National Chairman Dr Yusuf Mamman Dantalle has urged leaders of political parties to conduct transparent primaries for the upcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election.

“The integrity of the electoral process starts with parties’ primaries, where candidates are nominated for various offices. Parties are urged to comply with the provisions of their constitutions for rancour-free exercises and desist from the imposition of candidates.

“IPAC further urges political parties and their candidates to imbibe issue-based campaigns for the 8th November  2025, Anambra State governorship election. Politicians and their supporters should eschew politics of bitterness that impede the nation’s emerging democracy.”

Continuing he said, “The Anambra gubernatorial poll provides yet another opportunity for INEC to demonstrate its capacity to conduct a credible election leveraging on effective application of its new technologies through centralised Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance that will enhance decision-making through data-driven insights, risk management, voter engagement, predictive analytics, automation and intelligent safeguards.

” This will strengthen electoral credibility and integrity, as well as prevent glitches that could erode confidence in elections.”