The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed February 21, 2026, for the conduct of bye-elections into 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.
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According to INEC, the meeting also reviewed preparations for the end-of-tenure Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory scheduled for the same date.
INEC said it approved the timetable and schedule of activities for the Rivers State bye-elections in line with its constitutional mandate, according to a statement signed by the Chairman of the Commission’s Information, Voter Education and Publicity Committee, Mohammed Haruna.
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.”
The commission stated that it has “fixed 21st February, 2026, for the conduct of the elections into the two state constituencies.”
INEC explained that the vacancy in Ahoada East II followed the resignation of the constituency’s representative, while the vacancy in Khana II was caused by the death of its lawmaker.
It added that “the Speaker of the State’s House of Assembly had since notified the commission of the existence of the vacancies.”
Under the approved timetable, INEC said notice of the elections will be published on January 22, 2026. Political parties are expected to conduct their primaries, including resolving disputes arising from the primaries, between January 23 and January 27.
Campaigns will commence on February 8 and end on February 19, ahead of the polls on February 21.
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