The Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) has fixed Saturday, November 7, 2026 for the postponed local government council elections, days after the September 26 poll was called off amid legal challenges.
The commission announced the new date in a press release dated October 5 and signed by its chairman, Chief Charles Ejiogu, JP.
The election was originally scheduled for September 26 to elect chairmen for the state’s 27 local government areas and councillors for 305 wards. ISIEC had earlier issued a notice fixing the poll, but the process became embroiled in litigation, including a suit filed by officials of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) at the Imo State High Court, Owerri. In Suit No. HOW/1380/2026, the plaintiffs challenged aspects of the electoral process, including the validity of ISIEC’s “360 Days’ Notice of Election,” the subsequent timetable and compliance with statutory requirements. The court has not determined the substantive claims.
The legal dispute prompted the state government to postpone the election. At the court proceedings on September 23, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Paul Obinatu, told the court that the government had decided to defer the poll in view of the issues raised in the pending suit. The case was adjourned to October 30, 2026, and the plaintiffs said they would not withdraw it despite the postponement.
Explaining the postponement at the time, Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, said APGA and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had approached the courts seeking to stop the election on various grounds. He said the government could not proceed while the challenges were pending, declaring: “No law-abiding government will proceed with such an election when two political parties are in court against its conduct.” He added that the government would await the resolution of the court processes before fixing a new date.
ISIEC’s announcement sets November 7 as the new polling date, although the legal proceedings remain pending. The commission said the revised timetable and electoral guidelines would be presented at an expanded stakeholders’ meeting, the date of which will be announced.
