The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it will soon meet to determine the date for the conduct of bye-elections to fill the vacancies in Bayelsa Central and Bayelsa West Senatorial Districts.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, dropped the hint on Friday in Abuja, at the Resident Electoral Commissioners’ (RECs) first regular meeting for the year 2020.
The two seats became vacant following the declaration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate, Sen. Douye Diri and his deputy, Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo as the winner of the state governorship election.
Yakubu said: “In compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court, the Commission has presented Certificates of Return in respect of the Governorship elections in Imo and Bayelsa States.
“In the case of Bayelsa State, both the governor and deputy governor were serving senators.
“Consequently, the Commission had on Thursday, Feb. 20, received two communications from the Senate President declaring the seats for Bayelsa Central and Bayelsa West Senatorial Districts vacant.
“The Commission will soon meet to determine the dates for by-elections in the two Senatorial Districts.”
The INEC boss added that ahead of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections, scheduled for Sept. 19 and Oct. 10, respectively, critical changes would be introduced to strengthen electoral processes and procedures.
“Similarly, the Commission, jointly with the security agencies, is reviewing deployment during elections