Gombe, Kano, Bauchi, Delta Bye-Elections Offer Lessons For 2027 – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has described Saturday’s bye-elections in Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta states as important operational tests ahead of 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 Commission conducted four legislative bye-elections across the four states, including 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.

According to a statement by the Chairman’s Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser, Adedayo Oketola, Amupitan said the elections would provide the Commission with practical lessons for its preparations for the 2027 polls.

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“These four bye-elections provide indispensable operational lessons for the Commission as we systematically chart our roadmap toward the 2027 General Election,” the INEC Chairman said.

He said the Commission would use every electoral exercise to assess its logistics, technology and administrative preparedness.

“We must resist the temptation to view any exercise as merely an ordinary bye-election. Every election is a critical component of our broader preparations for the 2027 General Election, allowing us to continuously audit our logistics framework, stress-test our technological deployment, and evaluate administrative field readiness,” he said.

Amupitan, alongside National Commissioners and senior management officials, monitored reports from the various locations as voting progressed.

He also said the Commission had identified and addressed operational challenges that emerged before the elections.

“Our primary mandate in the Situation Room is monitoring and proactive crisis resolution,” Amupitan said.

“Whatever administrative or field challenges arose in before the day of the elections, the Commission was able to nip them in the bud effectively. We remain committed to refining our processes so that every subsequent exercise reflects higher standards of efficiency and public confidence.”