INEC Fixes June 20 for Bye-Elections, Inducts New National Commissioner

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has slated Saturday, June 20, 2026, for the conduct of bye-elections across six states, in what officials say is part of efforts to promptly fill vacant legislative seats and sustain electoral continuity.

The announcement was made on Thursday in Abuja by the Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, during a brief ceremony to formally receive a newly appointed National Commissioner, Rear Admiral Jamila Malafa (rtd.).

Amupitan disclosed that the bye-elections will hold simultaneously with the Ekiti State governorship poll already fixed for the same date. He noted that the exercise will cover vacant senatorial seats in Enugu, Nasarawa, Rivers and Ondo states, alongside a House of Representatives seat in Kano State and a State House of Assembly seat in Kebbi State.

He said the Commission remains focused on its constitutional responsibility to organise elections at all levels in a manner that is transparent and credible, stressing that preparations are already underway to ensureensure seamlessseamless conduct of the polls.

The INEC boss described Malafa as a seasoned administrator with a blend of military and electoral experience, noting her previous contributions to the Commission, particularly in logistics. He added that her background as Director of Legal Services in the Nigerian Navy would further strengthen the Commission’s operations.

In her response, Malafa expressed appreciation for the reception accorded her and pledged to support the Commission’s mandate, particularly in ensuring the success of upcoming elections.

The event drew attendance from National Commissioners, senior management staff, the Secretary to the Commission, and the Director-General of the Electoral Institute, among others.

Meanwhile, INEC has intensified efforts to improve its electoral training framework ahead of the 2026 governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, with the commencement of a Post-Election Training Audit (PETA) and Pre-Training Assessment (PRETA) workshop in Abuja.

The two-day exercise, held between April 29 and 30, reviewed training operations deployed during the 2025 Anambra governorship election and the 2026 FCT Area Council polls, with a view to strengthening future exercises.

Declaring the workshop open, Acting Director-General of the Electoral Institute, Prof. Ibrahim Sani, underscored the critical role of poll workers in shaping public trust in elections. He warned that inadequate training could undermine the credibility of electoral outcomes.

Sani, however, commended officials for improved performance in recent elections, attributing the gains to better training strategies, while urging participants to build on the progress by identifying gaps and proposing practical solutions.

In a welcome address, the Institute’s Acting Administrative Secretary, Nasiru Umar, said the audit would provide useful insights into training effectiveness, adding that early evaluation of past exercises allows for timely corrections.

Also speaking, the Director of Planning and Monitoring, Mrs. Helen Ajayi, described the exercise as strategic, calling for a thorough review of training processes, logistics and field performance to consolidate gains.

Further details of the exercise were outlined by the Director of Training, Dr. Binta Kasim Mohammed, who said the audit would examine all aspects of the training cycle, including recruitment, logistics, stakeholder collaboration and the performance of ad hoc staff on election day.

She noted that the outcome of the exercise would help refine training delivery and address observed challenges ahead of the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections.

Other stakeholders, including the ICT and Electoral Operations departments, emphasised the need for continuous improvement and stronger inter-departmental collaboration to enhance election management.

INEC said the combined PETA and PRETA initiative reflects its commitment to institutional learning and readiness, expressing optimism that the exercise would further strengthen its capacity to deliver credible, inclusive and transparent elections nationwide.