INEC fixes September 19 for Bauchi assembly bye-elections

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The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed Saturday, September 19, 2026, for the conduct of bye-elections into the Sakwa State Constituency of Zaki Local Government Area and Disina State Constituency of Shira LGA, Bauchi State.

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The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Umar Ibrahim, disclosed this on Wednesday during the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Electoral Security meeting held at the commission’s office in Bauchi.

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Ibrahim said the Sakwa constituency comprised five wards: Sakwa, Gumal, Murmur North, Murmur South and Alangawar/Kafi/Larabawa, with a total of 100 polling units.

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He added that the Disina constituency comprised five wards: Andubun, Sanbawal, Beli/Gagidiba, Zubo and Disina, with a total of 95 polling units.

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“The elections will hold on Saturday, 19th September 2026,” the REC said.

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He explained that the notice of election for the affected constituencies would be published on August 20, while political party primaries and the resolution of disputes arising from them would take place between August 21 and 25.

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According to the REC, online submission of nomination forms would commence on August 29 and close by 11:59 pm on September 2, while the Form EC9 and final list of candidates would be published on September 8.

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He said September 10 would be the last day for the submission of names of polling agents, adding that campaigns would run from September 9 to 11:59 pm on September 17.

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“19th September 2026: Election Day,” Ibrahim announced.

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The REC urged political parties and their candidates to comply strictly with the timetable and provisions of the law, saying, “I urge all political parties and their candidates to take particular note of these timelines and ensure strict compliance with the applicable law and the commission’s timetable.”

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Ibrahim also appealed to security agencies and other members of the ICCES to ensure adequate protection for voters, candidates, election officials, materials, agents and other stakeholders.

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“To the political parties, I urge you to conduct your campaigns and other activities peacefully and responsibly, while ensuring that your supporters comply with the law,” he stated.

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The REC also called on the media to support voter education and help combat misinformation and disinformation ahead of the elections.

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Meanwhile, the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, who co-chaired the meeting, assured political parties of the command’s neutrality during the bye-elections.

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Aliyu urged political parties to submit their campaign schedules to the command early to enable the police to plan adequate security deployment.

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“Political parties should submit their campaign plans to the command as early as possible to gain adequate deployment,” the commissioner said as he assured stakeholders that the police would remain professional and impartial throughout the electoral process.

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The PUNCH gathered that the bye-election followed the death of the member representing Sakwa Constituency and Chairman, Bauchi State House of Assembly Committee on Budget and Appropriation, Wanzam Zaki, who died on Sunday, June 21, 2026.

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The Disina bye-election was necessitated by the resignation of the member representing the constituency and Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Saleh Hodi, who resigned to contest the Shira LG chairmanship election held on Monday.

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