Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission Releases Timetable for 2026 Local Government Elections
The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) has officially released the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2026 local government elections. According to the Commission, elections will be conducted across the 17 Local Government Councils of Plateau State on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
The announcement was made in Jos by the Chairman of the Commission, Hon. Plangji Daniel Cishak, during a press briefing where he highlighted the constitutional provisions guiding the exercise.
Cishak explained that under the PLASIEC Law 2024, the tenure of elected local government officials is two years, and election notices must be issued 360 days before voting day. He noted that this ensures the Commission complies with both state and federal electoral laws, including the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2022.
Key Activities in the Timetable
- Publication of Notice of Election & Release of Timetable – September 4, 2025
- Conduct of Party Primaries – January 12 to 30, 2026
- Collection & Submission of Nomination Forms – February 2 to March 2, 2026
- Publication of Candidates’ Particulars – March 7, 2026
- Screening & Verification of Candidates – March 11 to 16, 2026
- Publication of Final List of Candidates – March 30, 2026
- Commencement of Campaigns – March 31, 2026
- Last Day for Campaigns – August 30, 2026 (midnight)
- Election Day – September 1, 2026
The Chairman assured that PLASIEC is committed to conducting free, fair, and credible elections that will improve upon past exercises.
“We may not be getting it completely rightly, but this will be historic that there will be no gap in local government administration. So we will follow this religiously to ensure that the process is credible,” Cishak stated.
He further appealed to political parties, civil society groups, and the media to partner with the Commission in ensuring peaceful and transparent elections.
“We want to beg and plead with you that you join hands with us. The Commission will continuously engage all critical stakeholders to ensure that this process goes smoothly without any problem,” he added.
With the release of this timetable, Plateau State is set for what promises to be a historic local government election in 2026. Stakeholders, especially political parties, are expected to strictly adhere to the outlined schedule as the Commission works towards ensuring a smooth and transparent electoral process.
