The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is currently overseeing off-cycle elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states, marking the first such elections since the 2023 general elections. The citizens of these states are casting their votes to determine the governors who will lead them for the next four years.
The electoral body has deployed a total of 46,084 regular and ad hoc staff across the three states. A noteworthy presence includes 126 accredited national and international organizations, with 11,000 observers actively participating in the monitoring process. Additionally, 80 media organizations sought approval to deploy 1,203 personnel, including journalists and technical/support staff.
In the electoral race, all 18 political parties are competing in Kogi, while Imo and Bayelsa have 17 and 16 candidates, respectively. The parties have enlisted 137,934 agents, comprising 130,093 polling agents and 7,841 collation agents.
For security measures during the elections, the police have mobilized a substantial force of 92,565 personnel, with 27,000 in Bayelsa, 25,565 in Imo, and 40,000 in Kogi. The security assets include five helicopters and 15 gunboats. Additionally, the Federal Road Safety Corps has deployed 1,500 operatives and 105 vehicles.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has outlined that the elections are taking place in 10,470 polling units spread across 649 electoral wards within 56 local government areas.
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