The Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) has announced Saturday, October 17, 2026, as the official date for the conduct of local government elections across the 21 local councils of the state.
Chairman of the Commission, Hon. Mamman Nda Eri, made the disclosure during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the KOSIEC headquarters in Lokoja on Tuesday.
Eri said the decision was in compliance with Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which mandates electoral bodies to issue a notice of election not later than 360 days before the scheduled poll.
“This announcement marks the formal commencement of activities leading to the 2026 local government elections. KOSIEC is fully committed to conducting a transparent, credible, and inclusive poll in line with the law,” the chairman stated.
According to him, the elections will cover all 21 Local Government Areas and 239 electoral wards in the state. Only political parties duly registered with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will be eligible to participate.
Eri further disclosed that a detailed election timetable— outlining dates for party primaries, candidate nominations, campaigns, and other pre-election activities — will be released on October 24, 2025.
He urged political parties, civil society organisations, traditional rulers, and community stakeholders to support the process and ensure peaceful participation at all stages.
“Our goal is to deepen democracy at the grassroots. We call on all actors to play by the rules and prioritise the interest of the people,” he added.
KOSIEC also noted that the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission Law, 2025 has been amended to strengthen the Commission’s autonomy, improve accountability, and align its operations with national electoral standards.
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The 2026 local government polls will mark the first grassroots election to be conducted under the new law.
Political observers say the early release of the election date reflects the Commission’s renewed commitment to transparency and early planning, a move expected to give parties and candidates ample time to prepare.
