BY PATRICK MGBODO
THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of the bye-elections for the Ahoada East II and Khana II state constituencies in Rivers State.
This was continued in a statement signed by the Chairman of Information, Voter Education and Publicity Committee, Malam Mohammed Haruna, and posted on the Commission’s X (Twitter) page.
‘’In addition to reviewing its preparations for the end-of-tenure Area Council election for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) scheduled for February 21, 2026, it considered and approved the Draft Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the conduct of bye-elections into Ahoada East II and Khana II State Constituencies of Rivers State.
‘’By the provisions of Section 116 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which empowers the Commission to fix dates for elections and conduct bye-elections for vacancies arising therefrom, it has fixed February 21, 2026, for the conduct of the elections into the two State constituencies.
‘’The vacancy in the Ahoada East II Constituency arose as a result of the resignation of its member, while that of Khana II resulted from the death of its member. The Speaker of the State’s House of Assembly had since notified the Commission of the existence of the vacancies.
‘’By the Commission’s decision today, the notice for the two elections will be published on January 22, 2026, while political parties will conduct their party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from the primaries, between 23 and 27 January.
‘’Parties and candidates will then commence their campaigns on February 8, 2026, and end on February 19. The elections will be held on February 21, 2026.
