By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) has released the official timetable and schedule of activities for the 2026 Local Government Council elections across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.
According to the timetable signed by KOSIEC Chairman, Hon. Mamman Nda Eri, the elections are scheduled to hold on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
The Commission, exercising its powers under Section 197 (1)(b) and Paragraph 3 of Part II of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as the Electoral Act, 2022, and the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission Law, 2025, outlined key pre-election activities leading up to the polls.
The notice of election, as stated in the timetable, was issued on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, in accordance with Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, which requires such notice to be given not later than 360 days before the election date.
Political activities are set to commence on Friday, October 24, 2025, followed by party primaries and the resolution of related disputes between Monday, November 10, and Sunday, December 12, 2025.
Between Monday, December 15, and Friday, December 19, 2025, political parties are expected to collect nomination forms from the Commission’s headquarters, while the submission of candidates’ lists will take place from Monday, January 5, to Friday, January 9, 2026.
The screening and publication of candidates’ particulars (Form EC9) will hold between Friday, January 16, and Wednesday, January 21, 2026, during which the personal details of aspirants will be displayed at KOSIEC’s headquarters and local government offices across the state.
Hon. Eri emphasized that all dates in the timetable are subject to adjustment as circumstances may require, provided any changes remain within the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to transparency, fairness, and inclusivity, assuring stakeholders, political parties, and voters of a level playing field throughout the electoral process.
The KOSIEC Chairman also urged political parties to strictly adhere to the Electoral Act and the Kogi State Electoral Law in their preparations, stressing that compliance is vital to achieving credible and peaceful elections.
Eri called on all stakeholders — including security agencies, civil society groups, and the media — to sustain their collaboration with the Commission to ensure the successful conduct of free, fair, and credible local government elections in 2026.
