The Nigerian Senate has tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct bye-elections to fill six vacant positions in the Senate, with one in Anambra State, one in Imo State, one in Kogi State and three in the Rivers State.

The call followed a motion sponsored by Senator representing Bayelsa State, Senator Ben Bruce, in which he chided INEC for its failure to successfully conduct elections in the affected states.

While leading the debate yesterday, he said: “There is no doubt that the INEC owes the Senate explanation on why the pending re-run elections have remain inconclusive. This is because lack of representation of some states in the Senate amounts to breach of the constitution.”

He added: “We have not had representation in this chamber from Rivers State, part of Anambra, Imo, Kogi and some other states.

“INEC concluded elections in one week in Federal Capital Territory but, in these states, they had no representation here and it does not make any sense.

“It is a violation of the constitution. The people of these states have a right to have representation here. The INEC Chairman owes us an explanation to explain why these elections have not been concluded.”

Bruce added that the matter was a very simple one, in that it is the responsibility of INEC to conclude these elections, “so that the people of these beautiful states have representation here in the Senate.”

•Photo shows Senator Ben Bruce.