The House of Representatives Tuesday resolved to invite the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to provide explanation on its failure to conduct bye-elections for vacant seats in parliamentary houses in Nigeria.
The commission is also expected to provide update on steps so far taken towards addressing the issue, as the House has mandated its Committee on Electoral Matters to investigate the issue of electoral inaction.
This was fallout of a motion on Tuesday by Hon. Jafaru Leko, calling on INEC to conduct bye–Elections for vacant seats in the national and state assemblies.
He noted that the INEC, established pursuant to Section 153(f) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), is the sole body vested with the responsibility of conducting elections for the federal, states, Federal Capital Territory and area councils of the Federal Capital Territory.
“Since 2023 general and subsequent elections, there have been instances of resignations, deaths, appointments, or appointments of former members of both the national and state assemblies to executive positions.
“Section 68 of the constitution provides for the cessation and vacation of seats of the National Assembly, whereas section 76(2) stresses the need for a bye-election to be conducted not later than one month after the vacancy occurs.
“Upon the declaration of these seats as vacant, the INEC is obligated, under the provisions of Section 76(2), to conduct bye-elections to fill the vacant positions and ensure proper representation of the affected constituencies,” the lawmaker said.
