INEC begins disseminating sensitive material for the South East Senate by-election in Rivers

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun distributing sensitive election materials ahead of the Rivers South East Senatorial District by-election on Saturday, where over 858,000 registered voters are expected to cast their votes.

The poll was called to fill the senatorial seat left vacant following the death of former MP, Barry Mpigi, who died in a London hospital in February.

As part of election preparations, ballot papers, result sheets and other sensitive materials were handed over for inspection on Thursday at the Central Bank of Nigeria zonal office in Port Harcourt. Representatives of political parties participating in the contest are allowed to verify materials before departing for various election locations.

Officials from the Action Alliance, All Progressives Congress, Labor Party and People’s Democratic Party monitored the exercise.

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While addressing stakeholders during the inspection, Rivers State Electoral Commissioner, Johnson Sinikiem, said the commission deliberately opened the process to political parties to promote transparency and confidence in the conduct of the election.

“We have come to inspect and distribute ballot papers and result sheets that we will use for the senatorial election on Saturday, June 20, 2026 in Rivers State.

“As you can see, the materials are still intact and have not been tampered with. Party agents are free to inspect them, and if there are no objections, the materials will be distributed to the regional government and the RAC center,” he said.

Sinikiem said that 858,573 registered voters are expected to take part in the exercise at 1,629 polling stations in the senatorial district.

He explained that after the verification process is complete, the materials will be transported to the relevant regional government area and the Registration Center to be ready for voting.

Bye elections will take place in the seven councils that make up Rivers South East Senatorial District — Khana, Gokana, Tai, Eleme, Andoni, Opobo/Nkoro and Oyigbo.

The election is expected to determine who replaces the late senator and represents the district in the National Assembly.