The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed February 21, 2026, for the conduct of by-elections into the Ahoada II and Khana II constituencies of Rivers.

The commission disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

The commission, at its Monday extraordinary meeting, reviewed its preparations for the end-of-tenure area council election for the Federal Capital Territory fixed for February 21, according to the statement.

The commission also considered and approved the draft timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of by-elections in Rivers.

It noted that section 116 of the 1999 Constitution empowered the commission to fix election dates and conduct by-elections.

“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 January 23 and January 27, 2026.

“Parties and candidates will then commence their campaigns on February 8, 2026, to end on February 19. The elections will hold on February 21, 2026,” said INEC.

(NAN)