The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled February 21, 2026, for bye-elections in the Ahoada East II and Khana II State Constituencies of Rivers State.
The decision was taken at an extraordinary meeting of the commission held on Monday in Abuja. The meeting also reviewed preparations for the end-of-tenure Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory, which are set for the same date.
According to INEC, the bye-elections are being conducted in line with its constitutional mandate, following the resignation of the Ahoada East II representative and the death of the Khana II lawmaker.
“The Speaker of the State’s House of Assembly had notified the commission of the vacancies,” the commission explained in a statement signed by Mohammed Haruna, Chairman of the Information, Voter Education, and Publicity Committee.
Under the approved timetable, INEC will publish the notice of elections on January 22, 2026. Political parties are expected to conduct their primaries and resolve any disputes between January 23 and January 27.
Campaign activities will begin on February 8 and conclude on February 19, ahead of the polls on February 21.
The commission emphasized that the schedule aligns with Section 116 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers INEC to fix election dates and conduct bye-elections to fill vacancies in legislative seats.