By Taiwo Scholarstica
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared four political parties to take part in the Nasarawa North Senatorial District bye-election scheduled for June 20, 2026.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Nasarawa State, Mohammed Abubakar-Sadiq, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists in Lafia.
He said the four parties approved for the election are the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
According to him, the parties conducted their primary elections between May 22 and May 26 in line with INEC’s timetable. He added that the commission monitored the primaries and cleared the parties after they successfully nominated their candidates.
Abubakar-Sadiq said political campaigns will run from June 10 to June 18, while INEC will continue to monitor campaign activities to ensure compliance with electoral laws.
He also urged the political parties to follow all election guidelines ahead of the poll.
The REC said preparations for the election in Akwanga, Wamba, and Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Areas were already at an advanced stage. He noted that all non-sensitive election materials had been received and distributed to the affected areas.
He further explained that Registration Area Centres and Super RACs had been prepared for the deployment of election personnel and materials on June 19.
Abubakar-Sadiq said 338,042 registered voters from the 2023 general election would be eligible to vote. However, those registered during the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise would not participate because their Permanent Voter Cards had not yet been issued.
He added that election officials had been trained, while training for presiding officers and assistant presiding officers would continue ahead of the poll.
The REC expressed confidence in INEC’s readiness, assuring residents that all arrangements had been made for a smooth, free, fair, and credible bye-election on June 20.