INEC Fixes Bauchi By-election For Sept. 19, Warns Against Breaching Electoral Laws

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 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 of Bauchi State.

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

Ibrahim said the Sakwa State Constituency comprised five wards: Sakwa, Gumal, Murmur North, Murmur South and Alangawar/Kafi/Larabawa, with 100 polling units.

He added that the Disina State Constituency comprised five wards: Andubun, Sanbawal, Beli/Gagidiba, Zubo and Disina, with 95 polling units.

According to the REC, the Notice of Election for the two 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.

He said online submission of nomination forms would commence on August 29 and close at 11:59 p.m. on September 2, while Form EC.9 and the final list of candidates would be published on September 8.

Ibrahim said September 10 would be the deadline for the submission of the names of polling agents, while campaigns would commence on September 9 and end at 11:59 p.m. on September 17.

He urged political parties and their candidates to adhere strictly to the electoral timetable and relevant provisions of the law.

The REC also called on security agencies and other members of ICCES to provide adequate protection for voters, candidates, election officials, materials, agents and other stakeholders throughout the electoral process.

He urged political parties and their supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully and responsibly, stressing the need to comply with all applicable laws.

Ibrahim further solicited the support of the media in providing accurate and timely information, promoting voter education, and combating misinformation and disinformation ahead of the elections.

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

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

He assured stakeholders that the command would remain professional and impartial throughout the electoral process.

LEADERSHIP reports that the Sakwa bye-election was necessitated by the death of the member representing the constituency and Chairman of the Bauchi State House of Assembly Committee on Budget and Appropriation, Hon. Mohammad Wanzam Zaki, who died on Sunday, June 21, 2026.

Similarly, the Disina bye-election followed the resignation of the member representing the constituency and Majority Leader of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Saleh Hodi Jibrin, who resigned to contest the Shira Local Government chairmanship election held on Monday.