The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed to political parties to field fresh candidates for upcoming bye-elections into state and federal legislative positions.
This request comes after 23 vacancies have occurred in various constituencies since the inauguration of the current national and state assemblies in June 2023 .
INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, emphasized that bye-elections are unpredictable, unbudgeted, and difficult to plan in advance.
He noted that some bye-elections have led to additional vacancies, creating a ripple effect. For instance, a senatorial district bye-election was won by a House of Representatives member, creating another vacancy.
This, in turn, led to a State Assembly member winning the House of Representatives bye-election, resulting in yet another vacancy .
Yakubu highlighted that INEC has been advocating for a more cost-effective alternative for filling vacancies since 2016, as is the practice in many other jurisdictions worldwide.
The Commission has urged stakeholders, including political parties, to support amending the law to address this issue.
