Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has officially opened the portal for media accreditation for the bye-elections scheduled to hold on Saturday, September 19, 2026, inviting journalists and media organisations to apply online to cover the electoral exercise across five constituencies in four states. The announcement, made on Monday, August 24, 2026, signals the commencement of preparations for the upcoming polls, which will involve the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency in Gombe State, the Disina and Sakwa State Constituencies in Bauchi State, the Udu State Constituency in Delta State, and the Dawakin Kudu State Constituency in Kano State.
INEC has mandated that all applications must be submitted strictly through its Media Accreditation Portal, accessible at imap.inecnigeria.org, with the portal opening on Monday, August 24, 2026, and closing at midnight on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. The Commission has warned that there will be no extension of the deadline and that late submissions will not be accepted, urging media organisations to complete their applications and nominations well before the portal shuts down automatically. Only credible and duly registered media organisations will be considered for accreditation, and manual applications will not be entertained, according to the Commission.
The bye-elections in the affected constituencies were triggered by the resignation or death of the incumbent legislators. In the case of the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency, the seat became vacant following the resignation of the incumbent to take up a federal appointment, while the state constituency seats in Bauchi, Delta and Kano were similarly vacated due to deaths or resignations. INEC has not yet released the full list of candidates for these elections, but political parties are expected to field candidates as the electoral process moves forward.
For journalists and media organisations, the strict accreditation timeline underscores the importance of early preparation and compliance. Media houses are advised to ensure all required information and documents are properly uploaded before the deadline to avoid disqualification. The Commission has provided two contact numbers — 07088844564 and 08032861058 — for enquiries or technical assistance with the accreditation portal. The bye-elections come amid ongoing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the ruling party and opposition forces expected to use the polls as a litmus test for their electoral strength in the affected constituencies. As the September 19 date draws closer, all eyes will be on INEC to ensure a credible and transparent electoral process.
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