TheCable

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is considering conducting rerun polls in state and federal constituencies in February 2024.

Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, disclosed this on Monday during a consultative meeting with political parties at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Yakubu said as the election tribunals gradually wind down their proceedings, the commission is required to conduct rerun elections in some constituencies.

He said INEC is also required to conduct by-elections to fill vacancies arising from the death or resignations of members of the national and state houses of assembly.

The chairman said the electoral umpire intends to conduct the two categories of elections on the same day, adding that political parties must carry out fresh primaries within the limited period provided by law for the by-elections.

“So far, the election petition appeal tribunals have ordered the commission to conduct re-run elections in 34 constituencies made up of one senatorial district, 11 federal constituencies and 22 state assembly constituencies,” he said.

“However, the 34 constituencies constitute 2.8% of the 1,191 petitions filed by litigants.

“Significantly, out of the 34 re-run elections, it is only in three cases that the commission was ordered to conduct elections in the entire constituencies. In the other 31 constituencies, elections are to be held in a few polling units.

“With regard to the bye-elections, you may recall that in my recent address at the swearing-in of new resident electoral commissioners (RECs) which was combined with our last quarterly meeting with the RECs nationwide, I made a commitment that the commission will conduct elections to fill vacancies in the national and state assembly constituencies.

“The commission is looking at the first week of February 2024, that is, in just a little over one month to conduct both the re-run and bye-elections.

“At the end of this consultative meeting, the commission will meet to review preparations and announce a definite date, including the detailed timetable and schedule of activities for the elections.

“Full delimitation details, including locations, number of Polling Units, registered voters and permanent voters’ cards (PVCs) collected in each constituency will be uploaded to our website for public information.”