On February 3, 2024, by-elections were held in nine constituencies to fill seats left vacant by the death or resignation of members elected in the 2023 general elections to both the National and State Houses of Assembly.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the supplementary and rerun elections in Taraba and Enugu states respectively for February 14, 2024, adding that the suspended re-run election in Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency, Kano State would be held at a later date yet-to-be fixed.
On February 3, 2024, by-elections were held in nine constituencies to fill seats left vacant by the death or resignation of members elected in the 2023 general elections to both the National and State Houses of Assembly.
In addition, 39 constituencies had their elections rerun as required by the courts.
The INEC’s statement reads: “Bye-elections were concluded successfully across all designated constituencies, with the exception of the Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency.
“Here, the final declaration was postponed due to overvoting in certain polling units, impacting the margin of lead between the candidates with the highest number of votes. Details of these polling units will be published tomorrow.”
Violence, thuggery, and the hijacking of election materials caused disruptions at two polling units in the Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State, as well as across all polling units in the Enugu South State Constituency of Enugu State and the Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency of Kano State, during the re-run elections.
The commission had already suspended the re-run elections in certain locations under Section 24(3) of the Electoral Act 2022.
However, according to the statement, “Following additional reports from our officials in the affected states, the commission supports the Returning Officer’s decision to announce results in the Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, as the number of registered voters in the two polling units did not affect the outcome of the election.
“The commission has resolved to conduct a supplementary election in Taraba State and a new re-run election in Enugu State, both scheduled for Wednesday, February 14, 2024.
“Due to security concerns, the election in Kunchi/Tsanyawa State Constituency will be held at a later date, after further discussions with security agencies and stakeholders.”
INEC advised all eligible voters and stakeholders in the affected polling units in Taraba and Enugu States to vote peacefully in the upcoming elections and support their favourite candidates.