The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the commencement of technical processes toward the restoration of 20 court-ordered suppressed constituencies in four states of the federation.
The affected states are Kogi with 11 suppressed constituencies, Benue (5), Delta (4), and Jigawa (1).
According to the notice of commencement by the Secretary to the commission, Dr. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, “the technical processes involve stakeholders’ engagement at the state head office and fieldwork at the affected constituencies. The exercise is aimed at obtaining relevant geographical and demographic data necessary for the production and validation of constituency maps and other technical documents.”
Consequently, Resident Electoral Commissioners of these states have been directed to you are kindly requested to:
“i. Liaise with relevant stakeholders in the State, including traditional institutions, community leaders, security agencies and other critical stakeholders, to facilitate smooth conduct of the exercise;
ii. Provide necessary administrative and logistical support to the field teams during the exercise;
ili. Ensure adequate security arrangements for all personnel and equipment deployed for the fieldwork;
iv. Nominate suitable officers from the State to work with the technical team from the Headquarters.
Recall that earlier in February 2026, a Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja directed INEC to restore and conduct elections in the suppressed constituencies in Kogi State.
Justice Isah Danshan declared that elections must be conducted in those suppressed constituencies.
He lamented the injustice over the years, particularly that available fact point to the existence of those constituencies at the creation of the state.
“Having been proven beyond reasonable fact, the Independent National Electoral Commission must, without hesitation, conduct elections in the suppressed constituencies in 2027,” Justice Danshan said.
