By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) has officially announced the conduct of the 2026 Local Government Council Elections across the state.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by KOSIEC Chairman, Mamman Nda Eri, during a press briefing held at Riverton Hotel, Lokoja. Eri said the declaration was made in compliance with Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission Law, 2025, which mandate the commission to publish a notice of election not later than 360 days before the scheduled date.
“This notice is in accordance with Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which requires the Commission to issue a notice of election at least 360 days before the date appointed for the polls,” Eri stated.
He explained that both the Electoral Act and the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission Law empower KOSIEC to conduct elections into the offices of Chairmen for the 21 Local Government Areas and Councillors for the 239 Electoral Wards across the state.
Eri also revealed that the detailed timetable and schedule of activities for the 2026 elections would be released soon. He emphasized that only political parties registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would be eligible to sponsor candidates in the exercise.
“We advise political parties, aspirants, and stakeholders to strictly adhere to the timetable, the Electoral Act, and KOSIEC guidelines to ensure free, fair, credible, and peaceful elections in Kogi State,” he added.
The KOSIEC Chairman reiterated the Commission’s commitment to transparency and inclusiveness, stressing that early publication of the election notice was part of efforts to enhance preparedness and foster stakeholder confidence.
Representatives of political parties, civil society organizations, and security agencies, including the Nigerian Army and Police, attended the event. They expressed readiness to collaborate with the Commission in ensuring a peaceful and credible electoral process.
Eri further urged media organizations and non-governmental bodies to support voter sensitization campaigns ahead of the polls, noting that citizens’ participation remains vital to democratic governance at the grassroots level.
The announcement marks the formal commencement of the 2026 local government election process in Kogi State, setting the stage for what is expected to be a competitive contest among political parties and candidates.
