By Umar Faruk
Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria — June 10, 2026 (Series News Online) - The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has declared its readiness to conduct the Zuru State Assembly bye-election following the death of Hon. Muhammad Usman Zuru, who represented Zuru Constituency in the Kebbi State House of Assembly.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Alhaji Abubakar Sarkin Pawa Dambo, disclosed this on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting organized by the commission at its state headquarters in Gwadangaji, Birnin Kebbi.
Alhaji Dambo outlined the electoral timetable, noting that June 9, 2026, was the last day for the publication of Form EC9 and the list of nominated candidates in line with Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026.
“Going by the scheduled timetable of activities for the bye-election in Zuru Constituency, June 9, 2026, was the last day for publication of Form EC9 and the list of nominated candidates under Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026,” Alhaji Dambo said.
He added that June 10, 2026, marked the commencement of public campaigns by political parties under Section 98(1) of the Act.
“Today, being June 10, 2026, under Section 98(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, is the commencement of campaigns by political parties in public,” he said.
According to him, June 11, 2026, is the deadline for the submission of names of polling unit agents under Section 43, while June 18, 2026, is the last day for campaigns. Election day is fixed for June 20, 2026, in accordance with Section 76 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
“On June 11, 2026, under Section 43 of the Electoral Act, 2026, is the last day for submission of names of polling unit agents. On June 18, 2026, under Section 98(1), is the last day for campaigns. The election will hold on June 20, 2026, under Section 76 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended,” Alhaji Dambo said.
The REC confirmed that only two political parties, the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Labour Party, met the requirements by submitting Form EC9 for the contest.
“Only two political parties submitted the names of their candidates to contest for the state assembly member representing Zuru Constituency. Those political parties are APC and Labour Party. They are the only ones that met the requirements of submitting Form EC9,” Alhaji Dambo said.
He said the commission would train 822 ad-hoc staff for the exercise, which will be limited to Zuru Local Government Area with 10 registration areas, 200 polling units, and 109,392 registered voters.
“INEC is going to train 822 ad-hoc staff for the conduct of the Zuru bye-election. This exercise affects only Zuru Local Government Area, which has 10 registration areas, 200 polling units, and 109,392 registered voters,” Alhaji Dambo said.
Alhaji Dambo explained that the old voter register would be used for the bye-election and that new registrants would not be eligible to vote until the next general election.
“We are going to use the old register, but it is only for this exercise. Those who registered now will not be captured in the register, but they can vote in the next election,” the REC said.
He appealed to stakeholders to support the commission, stressing that continuous engagement with stakeholders is central to INEC’s operations.
“We are appealing to all stakeholders to give their maximum support because INEC cannot do it alone. That is why INEC holds stakeholders in high esteem and always convenes meetings to update them step by step, because stakeholders have important roles to play,” Alhaji Dambo said.
The REC commended journalists in the state for their role in public enlightenment and urged them to sustain the partnership.
“I must express INEC’s appreciation and gratitude to journalists in the state because they are always there for INEC. Whatever INEC does, they immediately disseminate it to the general public, and we have seen their impact,” he said.
Alhaji Dambo also reminded stakeholders that continuous voter registration was ongoing and urged them to mobilize eligible citizens to register at their wards or local government INEC offices.
“Voter registration is still ongoing, so stakeholders should continue mobilizing eligible people to avail themselves of PVC registration at their political wards or local government INEC offices,” he said.
He assured that results for the bye-election would be transmitted electronically, with presiding officers mandated to upload Form EC8A to the IReV portal in real time.
“This Zuru bye-election will transmit results electronically. The presiding officer is mandated to transmit Form EC8A to the IReV portal via the INEC election management system so that whoever connects to the portal will see the results uploaded,” Alhaji Dambo said.
On security, the REC assured voters that adequate arrangements had been made with all security agencies to ensure a peaceful process.
“We assure the electorate and all other people in the area that adequate arrangements have been made in terms of security. All security agencies are part of the stakeholders we interacted with, and they have all given their word and assured their readiness to deploy enough personnel to Zuru and its environs,” Alhaji Dambo said.
He concluded by pledging the commission’s commitment to a credible poll, noting that the stakeholders’ meeting was attended by all political parties, NGOs, all security agencies, paramilitary agencies, NOA, people with special needs, journalists, among others.
“We assure the general public that we are going to do our best to conduct a free, fair, and credible election, God willing,” the REC said.
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