By Abasi Ita
The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed June 20, 2026, for the conduct of by elections to fill vacant legislative seats in six states across the country.
The elections will take place alongside the Ekiti State governorship election already scheduled for the same day.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, announced the date on Thursday in Abuja during a ceremony organised to receive the newly sworn in National Commissioner, Jamila Malafa.
Amupitan disclosed that the commission was preparing for a series of off cycle elections expected to hold simultaneously in different parts of the country.
According to him, the by elections will cover vacant senatorial seats in Enugu, Nasarawa, Rivers and Ondo states, as well as a House of Representatives seat in Kano State and a State House of Assembly seat in Kebbi State.
“We are going into some off cycle elections very soon. The Ekiti State governorship election is scheduled for June 20, 2026. On the same date, the commission will conduct by elections to fill vacant seats,” he said.
The INEC chairman also welcomed Malafa into the commission, describing her as an experienced administrator with a strong background in military and electoral operations.
He noted that she previously worked with the commission in logistics management and also served as Director of Legal Services in the Nigerian Navy.
Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting transparent and credible elections at all levels of government.
“Our responsibility is clear. We are committed to conducting elections into the offices of the President, National Assembly, Governors, State Houses of Assembly and Area Councils credibly and transparently,” he stated.
Responding, Malafa thanked the commission for the warm reception and pledged to contribute meaningfully toward the success of future elections.
“I am glad to be here and I thank you for the warm reception. I look forward to working with everyone for the development and stability of our country, and for the success of forthcoming elections,” she said.
The event was attended by national commissioners, senior officials of the commission, the Secretary to the Commission, the Director General of the Electoral Institute and members of Malafa’s family.