By Gabriel Ameh
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the bye-elections conducted across Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta states have provided important operational lessons as the Commission prepares for the 2027 General Election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, stated this on Saturday while monitoring the elections from the Commission’s National Situation Room at its headquarters in Abuja.
The September 19, 2026 bye-elections covered the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency in Gombe State, Dawakin Kudu State Constituency in Kano State, Sakwa and Disina State Constituencies in Bauchi State, and Udu State Constituency in Delta State. INEC’s official election calendar lists the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
Amupitan described the bye-elections as important operational exercises that would help the Commission assess its preparedness ahead of the nationwide polls.
“These four bye-elections provide indispensable operational lessons for the Commission as we systematically chart our roadmap toward the 2027 General Election,” he said.
According to the INEC chairman, the Commission would use the experience from the elections to assess its logistics, technology deployment and administrative readiness in the field.
He said electoral exercises should not be treated as routine because each one provides an opportunity for the Commission to identify areas that require improvement before larger elections.
Amupitan said the National Situation Room played a central role in monitoring developments from the various states, with National Commissioners and senior management officials receiving and assessing operational reports as voting progressed.
He also said operational bottlenecks identified before the elections were addressed promptly.
“Our primary mandate in the Situation Room is monitoring and proactive crisis resolution,” Amupitan said, adding that INEC would continue refining its processes to improve efficiency and public confidence in subsequent elections.
The INEC chairman commended officials in the Situation Room, particularly the technical team, for supporting the monitoring of the multi-state elections and enabling the Commission to assess field operations.
The bye-elections therefore form part of the series of electoral exercises through which INEC is assessing its operational systems and preparations ahead of the 2027 General Election.
