By Prevail Inegbenose
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has described the September 19 bye-elections in Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta states as important operational exercises ahead of the 2027 General Election.
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INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, stated this on Saturday while presiding over operations at the Commission’s National Situation Room at its headquarters in Abuja.
The Commission conducted legislative bye-elections in the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency of Gombe State, Dawakin Kudu State Constituency in Kano State, Sakwa and Disina State Constituencies in Bauchi State, and Udu State Constituency in Delta State. INEC’s official platform confirms the five constituencies and the September 19, 2026 election date.
In a statement signed by Adedayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, in Abuja on September 19, 2026, Amupitan said the exercises would provide the Commission with useful operational experience as it continues preparations for the 2027 General Election.
“These four bye-elections provide indispensable operational lessons for the Commission as we systematically chart our roadmap toward the 2027 General Election,” he said.
According to him, no election should be regarded as merely routine, stressing that each electoral exercise provides an opportunity for INEC to assess its logistics, technology and administrative preparedness.
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“We must resist the temptation to view any exercise as merely an ordinary bye-election. Every election is a critical component of our broader preparations for the 2027 General Election, allowing us to continuously audit our logistics framework, stress-test our technological deployment, and evaluate administrative field readiness,” the chairman said.
The INEC chairman, accompanied by National Commissioners and senior management officials, monitored reports from the field as voting activities progressed across the four states.
Amupitan also said the Situation Room enabled the Commission to identify and address operational issues that arose before polling.
“Our primary mandate in the Situation Room is monitoring and proactive crisis resolution,” he said.
“Whatever administrative or field challenges arose in before the day of the elections, the Commission was able to nip them in the bud effectively. We remain committed to refining our processes so that every subsequent exercise reflects higher standards of efficiency and public confidence.”
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He commended the technical team and other officials present in the Situation Room for supporting the monitoring of the multi-state electoral exercise.
The September 19 bye-elections form part of INEC’s scheduled electoral activities ahead of the 2027 elections, with the Commission’s official timetable listing the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, and the governorship and State House of Assembly elections for February 6, 2027.