INEC Schedules Rivers Bye-Elections for February 21, 2026

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced February 21, 2026, as the date for bye-elections into the Ahoada East II and Khana II State Constituencies of Rivers State.

The decision was reached at an extraordinary meeting of the commission held on Monday in Abuja, where INEC also assessed readiness for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council end-of-tenure elections, slated for the same day.

In a statement signed by Mohammed Haruna, Chairman of the Commission’s Information, Voter Education and Publicity Committee, INEC said it had approved the timetable and schedule of activities for the Rivers State bye-elections in accordance with its constitutional responsibilities.

The commission cited “The provisions of Section 116 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) which empowers the Commission to fix dates for elections and conduct bye-elections for vacancies arising therefrom.”

INEC further stated that it has “fixed 21st February, 2026, for the conduct of the elections into the two state constituencies.”

Explaining the circumstances surrounding the polls, the commission noted that the vacancy in Ahoada East II resulted from the resignation of its representative, while the Khana II seat became vacant following the death of the lawmaker. It added that “the Speaker of the State’s House of Assembly had since notified the commission of the existence of the vacancies.”

According to the approved timetable, INEC will publish the notice of election on January 22, 2026. Political parties are expected to conduct their primaries and resolve any disputes arising from them between January 23 and January 27.

Campaign activities are scheduled to begin on February 8 and will end on February 19, ahead of the bye-elections on February 21.