The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the closing time for voting in the Rivers South-East Senatorial District bye-election by one hour following disruptions caused by heavy rainfall across parts of the district.

INEC announced on Saturday that polling, originally scheduled to end at 2:30 p.m., would now close at 3:30 p.m. to enable eligible voters affected by the weather to exercise their franchise.

In a message to members of the INEC Press Corps, the Commission’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, said the extension was approved by the Chairman of the Commission after reports indicated that the downpour led to late commencement of voting in several areas within the senatorial district.

“Due to the reported heavy rainfall in most areas within Rivers South East Senatorial District, late commencement of poll was recorded. Consequently, the Chairman of the Commission has given approval for extension of close of poll from 2.30pm to 3.30pm for the bye-election,” she stated.

The decision is expected to provide additional time for voters who were unable to cast their ballots earlier in the day due to weather-related delays.

The bye-election is being conducted to fill the vacant Rivers South-East Senatorial seat in the National Assembly following the death of Senator Barinada Mpigi, who represented the district before his demise earlier this year. INEC had fixed June 20, 2026, for the poll and initially scheduled voting to hold from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. across the senatorial district.

The election is taking place across 88 registration areas and 1,629 polling units spread across seven local government areas — Andoni, Opobo/Nkoro, Eleme, Tai, Oyigbo, Khana and Gokana.

The commission had repeatedly assured voters and stakeholders of its readiness to conduct a credible, free and fair election.