INEC Restores Suppressed Constituencies in Four States — June Primary Date Confirmed

June 15, 2026 3 min read

Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission has moved to restore polling access in four states, with officials confirming June as the date for primary elections tied to the newly activated constituencies. The announcement marks a significant shift for voters in affected areas who have faced limited representation in recent electoral cycles.

What INEC Announced

The electoral body confirmed it has restored constituencies that were previously suppressed across four states. Vanguard News reported the development, which brings previously excluded voters back into the formal electoral process. INEC officials stated the restoration applies to areas that had faced administrative barriers to participation. The commission did not immediately disclose which specific constituencies fall under the restored category.

The timing of the announcement matters for political parties preparing their candidate lists. June has been fixed as the deadline for primary elections, meaning parties must now factor in these restored constituencies when selecting their standard-bearers. Political observers in Abuja have noted the move could reshape competitive dynamics in several local government areas.

States Affected by the Restoration

Jigawa State appears among those included in the constituency restoration plan. Local politicians in the state have previously expressed frustration over voter suppression in certain districts. Delta State also features in the affected states, with party structures there preparing for an expanded electoral map. Kogi is another state where constituencies have been reinstated, potentially giving voters in previously excluded areas a chance to elect representatives for the first time in years.

The fourth state was not immediately identified in available reports. INEC typically issues detailed state-by-state breakdowns in the weeks following such announcements. Voter registration exercises in the affected areas will likely need to accelerate to ensure eligible citizens can participate in the June primaries.

Why This Matters for Nigerian Voters

Suppressed constituencies mean thousands of Nigerians cannot vote for certain offices or have their votes diluted across larger electoral districts. When INEC restores these areas, it effectively redraws the local political landscape. Citizens in previously excluded zones gain direct representation rights they may have lost due to administrative decisions or boundary adjustments.

For ordinary voters, the practical impact includes new polling station locations, updated voter registration requirements, and awareness of which elections they can now participate in. Community leaders in affected areas have called for public enlightenment campaigns to ensure residents understand their restored voting rights.

Political Parties Brace for Expanded Map

Major political parties must now scramble to organise primaries across a larger number of constituencies than previously expected. The June deadline creates logistical pressure on party structures in Jigawa, Kogi, Delta, and the unnamed fourth state. Internal party elections require significant coordination, from screening candidates to conducting actual votes in each restored constituency.

Opposition parties may benefit most from the restoration if they have stronger grassroots organisations in newly activated areas. Incumbent lawmakers in affected zones could face fresher competition if new candidates emerge from restored constituencies.

Timeline and What Happens Next

INEC has set June as the date for primary elections involving the restored constituencies. Between now and then, the commission must complete technical preparations including updating voter rolls, deploying materials, and training ad hoc staff. Political parties have their own internal deadlines for candidate nomination forms, screening, and primary election logistics.

Voters in affected states should watch for INEC announcements about registration deadlines and polling station locations. Party primaries in June will determine who appears on future ballot papers for these constituencies. The next general election will test whether restored voting access translates into meaningful political representation for previously excluded citizens.