INEC Sets August 21 By Election In Zamfara After Violence Stalls Voting

The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed Thursday, August 21, 2025, for a by-election in five polling units in Zamfara State where voting was disrupted by violence during the August 16 exercise.

The election concerns Kaura Namoda South State Constituency.

The decision was announced by the commission while reviewing the outcome of 16 by-elections and two court-ordered re-runs held across the country. INEC said although voting was conducted in Kaura Namoda South, the Returning Officer could not declare a winner due to unrest in five polling units across two wards.

A total of 3,572 voters are registered in the affected units, with 3,265 already in possession of Permanent Voter Cards. Since the margin of lead in the constituency race was 1,662, the commission explained that the supplementary election was necessary to determine the winner as required by the Electoral Act.

The affected polling units include Shiyar Magaji/Kofar Hamza, Tukasu/Sabuwar Kasuwa, Kofar Fada/Shiyar Fada, Aluko/Shiyar Tudu, and SH/Nufawa/Kofar M. D. Nuhu, all spread across Kyam/Barawa and Sakajiki registration areas.

Beyond Zamfara, INEC confirmed that re-run elections ordered by tribunals were successfully concluded in Enugu and Kano following earlier disruptions. In Enugu South 1 State Constituency, Ngene Bright Emeka of the Labour Party emerged victorious, while Ya’u Garba Gwarmai of the All Progressives Congress won in Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency of Kano.

INEC also announced that Certificates of Return will be presented to newly elected Senators and House of Representatives members on August 21 at its national headquarters in Abuja. This includes lawmakers-elect from Anambra South, Edo Central, and several federal constituencies across Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun, and Oyo states.

For State Assemblies, certificates will be issued by Resident Electoral Commissioners at state offices on Friday, August 22. The constituencies include Ganye in Adamawa, Onitsha North 1 in Anambra, Basawa and Zaria/Kewaye in Kaduna, Bagwai/Shanono and Ghari/Tsanyawa in Kano, Okura in Kogi, Munya in Niger, and Karim Lamido 1 in Taraba.

The electoral body assured that the public will be kept informed of all its activities as the process continues.