The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed June 20, 2026, for a series of by-elections to fill vacant legislative seats across six states in Nigeria. The elections will take place on the same day as the already scheduled Ekiti State governorship election, in what the commission described as part of its preparations for upcoming off-cycle polls.
The announcement was made in Abuja by the INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, during a brief ceremony to welcome a newly sworn-in National Commissioner, Jamila Malafa. The development was contained in the commission’s official bulletin released after the event.
According to Amupitan, the decision to conduct the by-elections on the same day as the Ekiti governorship poll is aimed at ensuring efficiency and better use of resources. He noted that Nigeria’s electoral calendar often includes off-cycle elections, which occur outside the general election period due to vacancies arising from resignations, deaths, or court rulings.
“We are going into some off-cycle elections very soon. The Ekiti State Governorship Election is scheduled for June 20, 2026. On the same date, the commission will conduct by-elections to fill vacant seats,” he said.
The INEC chairman explained that the by-elections would cover senatorial districts in four states—Enugu, Nasarawa, Rivers, and Ondo. In addition, elections will be held for a seat in the Kebbi State House of Assembly and a House of Representatives seat in Kano State.
These vacancies, according to INEC, emerged from different circumstances, including the death or resignation of elected officials and legal disputes that led to court-ordered removals. By-elections are constitutionally required to ensure that affected constituencies continue to have representation in legislative bodies.
INEC has in recent years faced increasing pressure to improve the credibility and transparency of elections. Issues such as voter turnout, election security, and timely delivery of results have remained key concerns among citizens and civil society groups.
Amupitan reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to addressing these challenges and delivering credible elections. He said INEC remains focused on its constitutional responsibility to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections at all levels of government.
“Our responsibility is clear. We are committed to conducting elections into the offices of the President, National Assembly, Governors, State Houses of Assembly and Area Councils credibly and transparently,” he stated.
The chairman also used the occasion to formally welcome Malafa, describing her as a seasoned professional with wide experience in both military service and electoral administration. He noted that her background would add value to the commission, especially at a time when INEC is preparing for multiple electoral activities.
Before her appointment, Malafa had worked with INEC in logistics, a critical area in election planning and execution. She also served as Director of Legal Services in the Nigerian Navy, bringing legal and administrative expertise to her new role.
In her response, Malafa expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve and pledged her commitment to the commission’s goals. She said she was ready to contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and ensuring the success of upcoming elections.
“I am glad to be here and I thank you for the warm reception. I look forward to working with everyone for the development and stability of our country, and for the success of forthcoming elections,” she said.
The ceremony in Abuja was attended by national commissioners, senior INEC officials, the Secretary to the Commission, and the Director-General of the Electoral Institute. Family members of the new commissioner were also present.
Nigeria operates a democratic system where elections are held regularly to choose leaders at different levels of government. While general elections take place every four years, off-cycle elections and by-elections occur as needed to fill unexpected vacancies.
In recent times, INEC has introduced reforms aimed at improving the electoral process. These include the use of technology such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and electronic transmission of results. While these innovations have recorded some successes, challenges remain, particularly in remote areas.
As the June 20 date approaches, political parties are expected to intensify campaigns in the affected states. Analysts believe the outcome of the by-elections could influence political alignments ahead of future national elections.
For voters in the affected constituencies, the elections provide an opportunity to choose new representatives and ensure their voices are heard in legislative matters. For INEC, the exercise will serve as another test of its readiness to conduct credible polls under growing public scrutiny.