Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye bye-election: Voting underway amid low voters turnout
Voting is underway across the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency as residents cast their ballots in the bye-election holding today, Saturday, September 19, 2026.
Electoral officials arrived at polling centres from about 8:00am, with accreditation of voters and voting commencing shortly afterwards.
As of the time of reporting, there were no reports of late arrival of electoral officials or election materials at the polling units.
However, low voter turnout was observed in parts of Gombe Local Government Area, particularly around Gombe/Gombe/Pantami, as of 10:07am.
The low turnout has raised questions about voter participation, especially as only five political parties are participating in the bye-election.
The election is being conducted across Gombe, Kwami and Funakaye local government areas that make up the federal constituency.
According to INEC, the bye-election covers 903 polling units across 31 Registration Areas/Wards, with 495,851 registered voters.
The three local government areas have 31 wards and 903 polling units in total, with Gombe LGA’s Ward 11, Polling Unit 408; Kwami LGA’s Ward 10, Polling Unit 237; and Funakaye LGA’s Ward 10, Polling Unit 258 included among the polling locations.
The bye-election is expected to determine the candidate who will represent the constituency in the House of Representatives.
With voting still ongoing, eligible voters across the constituency are expected to turn out and exercise their franchise before the close of polls.