By Samson Obande,  Lafia.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has distributed sensitive electoral materials ahead of Saturday’s, June 20, 2026 bye-election for Nasarawa North Senatorial District.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Nasarawa State, Mal. Muhammed Abubakar Sadiq, disclosed this on Thursday, June 18, while briefing officials of political parties at the Central Bank of Nigeria, Lafia Branch.

The sensitive materials, which include ballot papers, result sheets, and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, were previously kept in the Central Bank vault for safekeeping.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner said the exercise marks the peak of INEC’s preparations to conduct a free, fair, and credible election.

“The involvement of party officials in the distribution exercise indicates that INEC is determined to deliver one of the most transparent elections that will be accepted by all electorates across the 35 registration areas in the three local government areas of the zone,” he stated.

Sadiq further assured that the commission would adhere strictly to electoral laws during the exercise.

“Election will hold in 583 polling units across 35 electoral wards in three local government areas of the zone. We shall comply with relevant Electoral laws in the conduct of the elections on Saturday, 20th June 2026,” he said.

The REC added that all necessary logistics and security arrangements had been concluded to ensure the smooth movement and safety of INEC personnel and other stakeholders.

Also speaking, the INEC National Commissioner supervising the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa and Plateau States, Mal. Muhammed Kudu Haruna, expressed satisfaction with the distribution process.

He assured voters of a credible poll backed by advanced technology.

Representatives of political parties at the event including

Mr. Yairus Dagusa of the APC and Comr. Asoloko Maku of the Labour Party commended INEC for transparency and urged it to ensure a level playing field for all contestants on Saturday.

The off-cycle senatorial bye-election is being held to fill the vacancy created by the death of Distinguished Senator Godiya Akwashiki on December 31, 2025, after a prolonged illness.

Voting will take place across 583 polling units in the Nasarawa North Senatorial District as from 8am to 2:30pm on election day.