By Ayo Kehinde
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has restored four previously suppressed State House of Assembly constituencies in Delta and Kogi states in compliance with court judgements, ending years of electoral exclusion and triggering fresh political contests ahead of the 2027 general election.
The Commission announced that the restored constituencies are Abraka, Isoko North II and Ughelli South II in Delta State, and Yagba West II in Kogi State.
According to the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the restoration was carried out pursuant to judgements of competent courts directing the Commission to reinstate the additional constituencies in the two states.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission wishes to notify the public that it has restored four more previously suppressed State House of Assembly constituencies, three more in Delta and one more in Kogi States, pursuant to the judgements of the courts directing the restoration of the additional constituencies”, the statement read.
To kick-start the electoral process, INEC fixed August 21 to August 25, 2026, for political parties to conduct primaries in the restored constituencies.
The Commission explained that the timetable coincides with the period already approved for party primaries for several pending bye-elections, including the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency in Gombe State, Disina and Sakwa State Constituencies in Bauchi State, Udu State Constituency in Delta State, and Dawakin Kudu State Constituency in Kano State.
INEC also announced that elections in all the affected constituencies, including the newly restored ones, will be held on September 19, 2026.
For clarity, the electoral body stated that every other activity contained in its revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election remains applicable to the restored constituencies.
It further directed all political parties to notify the Commission of the dates for their primaries before conducting the exercises, in accordance with the Electoral Act and existing electoral guidelines.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to conducting credible, transparent and inclusive elections, assuring stakeholders that it would continue to implement court decisions and uphold the rule of law in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.
The four constituencies restored by INEC had previously been suppressed, leaving the affected communities without direct legislative representation. Following successful legal challenges, the courts ordered their reinstatement, compelling the electoral commission to restore them and conduct elections. The move not only expands representation in the Delta and Kogi State Assemblies but also aligns the affected constituencies with the timetable for the 2027 General Election, ensuring voters in those areas can once again participate fully in the democratic process.
