RismadarVoice Reporters, May 1, 2026
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled Saturday, June 20, 2026, for the conduct of by-elections in six states across Nigeria.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed the date during a ceremony at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, where a newly appointed National Commissioner was formally received.
According to the Commission, the by-elections will be held simultaneously with the Ekiti State governorship election slated for the same day, marking a significant cluster of electoral activities.
The elections are expected to fill vacant legislative seats in several parts of the country. These include senatorial positions in Enugu, Nasarawa, Rivers, and Ondo states, a House of Representatives seat in Kano State, and a State House of Assembly seat in Kebbi State.
Amupitan noted that the off-cycle polls form part of INEC’s broader preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections, as the Commission continues to test its operational readiness through staggered electoral exercises.
The Commission has in recent months intensified its electoral timetable, with key activities such as party primaries and upcoming governorship elections already underway, underscoring what officials describe as a “busy electoral cycle” leading up to 2027.
Observers say the conduct of the by-elections alongside the Ekiti governorship poll is expected to streamline logistics and reduce costs, while also providing an opportunity for INEC to assess its coordination capacity across multiple electoral contests.
INEC has yet to release detailed guidelines for the by-elections but is expected to outline timelines for party primaries, candidate nominations, and campaign activities in the coming weeks.
