INEC Deploys Over 7,700 BVAS Devices for August 16 By-Elections
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to conduct by-elections on Saturday, August 16, 2025, to fill vacant legislative seats across 12 states. The elections will take place in 16 constituencies, not 12 as initially stated, which include:
Two Senatorial Districts
Five Federal Constituencies
Nine State Constituencies
These vacancies arose from a variety of reasons, including deaths, resignations, and court orders. The by-elections will be held in 3,553,659 registered voters across 32 Local Government Areas, 356 Wards, and 6,987 Polling Units.
Deployment of Technology
BVAS Deployment: To ensure the credibility and transparency of the elections, INEC will deploy over 7,700 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices. The BVAS will be used for voter accreditation, verifying voters' identities using both fingerprints and facial recognition.
No PVC, No Voting: INEC has reiterated that only voters whose names appear on the register and who possess a valid Permanent Voter's Card (PVC) will be allowed to vote. The BVAS is the sole device for accreditation.
INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV): The BVAS devices will also be used to upload real-time images of the polling unit results (Form EC8A) to the IReV portal, a public domain where results can be viewed by all stakeholders.
Logistics and Staffing
INEC has stated that it will require over 30,000 staff to conduct the elections. The commission has also published a list of accredited observer groups for the elections.
States and Constituencies Involved
The by-elections will take place in the following states and constituencies:
Anambra: Anambra South Senatorial District, Onitsha North 1 State Constituency
Adamawa: Ganye State Constituency
Edo: Edo Central Senatorial District, Ovia North East/Ovia South West Federal Constituency
Jigawa: Babura/Garki Federal Constituency
Kaduna: Zaria/Kewaye State Constituency, Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency, Basawa State Constituency
Kano: Shanono/Bagwai State Constituency
Kogi: Okura II State Constituency
Niger: Munya State Constituency
Ogun: Ikene/Shagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency
Oyo: Ibadan North Federal Constituency
Taraba: Karim Lamido I State Constituency
Zamfara: Kaura Namoda South State Constituency
