The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Gombe State has intensified preparations for the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency bye-election ahead of Saturday’s poll.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Umar Mukhtar Gajiram, organised a readiness assessment tour of key training and operational centres.
The bye-election is scheduled to take place on 19th September 2026 and covers three Local Government Areas (LGAs), 31 Registration Areas and 903 Polling Units, with a total of 495,851 registered voters.
The readiness tour formed part of the Commission’s final preparations to assess the level of preparedness of election personnel and ensure that the necessary logistical and operational arrangements are in place for the conduct of the election.
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Mr. Gajiram began the tour at the INEC Area Office in Kwami LGA before proceeding to Mallam Sidi Primary School, where Presiding Officers (POs) and Assistant Presiding Officers (APOs) were undergoing training.
Addressing the trainees, the REC described their assignment as a national duty and urged them to familiarise themselves with the Commission’s electoral procedures and guidelines.
Mr. Gajiram charged the ad-hoc personnel to carry out their duties with professionalism, impartiality and integrity, stressing the importance of strict adherence to established electoral rules.
The REC subsequently visited Herwagana Primary School, the venue of training for POs and APOs in Gombe LGA.
He again emphasised the need for election personnel to uphold the ethics of democratic elections, noting that their conduct and professionalism would play an important role in maintaining the credibility of the electoral process.
Mr. Gajiram urged the trainees to remain neutral, diligent and committed to their responsibilities throughout the election, while ensuring full compliance with INEC’s rules and procedures.
The assessment tour ended at the Hajiya Amina Inuwa Gombe Women Development Centre, where technical support staff were receiving briefings ahead of their deployment.
The REC interacted with the personnel and assessed their level of preparedness to provide technical support at designated locations during the election.
INEC said it has completed the training of Supervisory Presiding Officers, Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers as part of its preparations for the poll.
The Commission also reassured voters and other stakeholders of its commitment to conducting a peaceful, transparent and credible bye-election.
It urged all personnel deployed for the exercise to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and impartiality in the discharge of their duties.
