By Umar Faruk
Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria, May 11, 2026 (Series News Online)- The Independent National Electoral Commission has launched the third phase of its Continuous Voter Registration exercise in Kebbi State, with the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hon. Abubakar S/Pawa Dambo, calling on qualified residents to take part in an orderly manner.
Addressing journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Monday, Dambo said the registration would run from May 11 to June 3, 2026, on a rotational schedule, before resuming between July 6 and July 10, 2026, at all 21 INEC offices across the state.
“This phase covers all 225 wards in Kebbi State,” he said. “It is designed to capture citizens who have turned 18, as well as those who missed earlier rounds, so they can register and collect their Permanent Voter’s Cards before the next elections.”
Dambo noted that the commission would also handle applications for voter transfer, replacement of misplaced or damaged PVCs, and corrections to personal details during the exercise.
He said Kebbi had performed strongly in earlier phases, emerging as one of the five states with the highest number of registrants nationwide.
On challenges, the REC said isolated security concerns in parts of the state had put field staff at risk, prompting INEC to shift some registration points to more secure locations.
“We appeal to stakeholders to share timely and accurate information with us to prevent any incidents,” he said.
Dambo also pointed to low participation in some areas and intermittent network issues affecting operations in certain local governments. “We urge stakeholders to intensify sensitization using all available channels to reach rural communities. They should also inform our officers about areas with stable network coverage within each ward,” he said.
He encouraged residents to come out and register within the announced timeframe. “INEC is committed to ensuring a transparent, inclusive, and credible registration process in line with its constitutional responsibility,” Dambo said.
In a separate development, INEC has published the schedule for the bye-election in the Zuru Constituency of Kebbi State.
According to a notice issued by INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, the official notice of election was released on May 21, 2026, in compliance with Section 28(3) of the Electoral Act, 2026.
Political parties are to conduct their primaries and resolve any disputes between May 22 and May 26, 2026. The online portal for submission of nomination forms will open at 9:00 a.m. on May 29 and close at 11:59 p.m. on June 2, 2026.
The commission said it would publish the personal details of candidates on June 6, 2026. Campaigns are set to begin on June 10 and end on June 18, 2026, while the deadline for submitting the names of polling agents is June 11, 2026.
The bye-election will hold on June 20, 2026.