INEC Extends Rivers Bye-election Voting Over Heavy Rainfall

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended voting in the Rivers South-East Senatorial District bye-election by one hour following disruptions caused by heavy rainfall in parts of the district.

The commission announced on Saturday that polling, earlier scheduled to end at 2:30 pm, would now close at 3:30 pm.

INEC said the extension was to enable eligible voters affected by the weather-related delays to cast their ballots.

In a message to members of the INEC Press Corps, the Commission’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, said the decision followed reports that heavy rainfall caused late commencement of voting in several areas within the senatorial district.

“Due to the reported heavy rainfall in most areas within Rivers South East Senatorial District, late commencement of poll was recorded. Consequently, the Chairman of the Commission has given approval for extension of close of poll from 2.30pm to 3.30pm for the bye-election,” she stated.

Naija News reports that the bye-election is being conducted to fill the vacant Rivers South-East Senatorial seat in the National Assembly following the death of Senator Barinada Mpigi, who represented the district before his demise earlier this year.

INEC had fixed June 20, 2026, for the poll and initially scheduled voting to hold from 8:00am to 2:30pm across the senatorial district.

The election is taking place across 88 registration areas and 1,629 polling units spread across seven local government areas.

The affected local government areas are Andoni, Opobo/Nkoro, Eleme, Tai, Oyigbo, Khana and Gokana.

The commission had earlier assured voters, political parties and other stakeholders of its readiness to conduct a credible, free and fair election.

INEC said the one-hour extension was intended to ensure that voters who were unable to vote earlier because of the downpour were not disenfranchised.