The Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) has again postponed the 2026 Local Government Council election, cancelling the November 7 date earlier announced for the exercise, following continued consultations with political parties and other critical stakeholders.
The Chairman of ISIEC, Chief Charles Ejiogu, announced the decision on Saturday, October 31, during a critical stakeholders’ meeting at Rockview Hotels, Owerri. He said the Commission was constrained to shelve the election after wide consultations, particularly with the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), promising that a fresh date, timetable and guidelines would be announced within the shortest possible time.
The latest postponement marks the second time the election has been shifted this year. The poll was initially scheduled for September 26, 2026, but was postponed indefinitely following legal challenges by opposition political parties, including the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The state government had cited pending court proceedings as the reason the election could not proceed at the time. ISIEC subsequently announced November 7 as the new date following consultations with IPAC and other stakeholders.
Recounting the circumstances surrounding the electoral process, Ejiogu said ISIEC had commenced preparations following its September 18, 2025 notification of 360 days, in accordance with Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, Section 16(1) of Imo State Government Law No. 6 and the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission Establishment Law 2005, as amended. He explained that the Commission initially fixed September 26, 2026, for the election in view of the expiration of the two-year tenure of the 27 elected council chairmen and councillors, who emerged from the September 21, 2024 election and were sworn in on September 30, 2024.
According to him, the original timetable did not go down well with some critical stakeholders, particularly IPAC, with some of its members approaching the judiciary to seek an extension of the electoral timeframe. He said ISIEC subsequently embarked on constructive engagements with IPAC and other stakeholders, resulting in the postponement of the September 26 election to November 7. However, announcing the latest decision, Ejiogu declared: “Having consulted widely, the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission is constrained to announce that the scheduled Saturday 7th November, 2026 Local Government Council Elections will no longer hold.”
Although the ISIEC chairman did not identify any fresh court order or specific legal impediment responsible for the latest postponement, he said the stakeholders meeting was convened to give stakeholders the opportunity to express their concerns and make suggestions towards fixing another date. He described IPAC, the umbrella body of registered political parties, as a strategic partner in the electoral process, insisting that the Commission could not operate in isolation or take decisions without engaging the political parties.
Ejiogu also reaffirmed the Commission’s neutrality, declaring that ISIEC belonged to no political party and would provide a level playing field for all registered political parties, their supporters and candidates. He said the Commission’s allegiance remained with the Constitution, the ISIEC Establishment Law and the people of Imo State. He further assured chairmanship and councillorship aspirants that every candidate who emerged through the parties’ primaries would be given equal opportunity to participate in the election.
On preparations for the rescheduled poll, the chairman disclosed that the exercise would cover 4,758 polling units and 305 wards across the state’s 27 local government areas. He urged political parties to ensure internal democracy in the selection of their candidates, noting that the Electoral Act 2022 requires ISIEC to observe political party primaries.
The Commission boss also raised concerns about security and the conduct of political campaigns, urging political parties and their supporters to tolerate opposing viewpoints and shun violence, thuggery, hate speech and other anti-social activities. Ejiogu specifically warned against the destruction of opponents’ campaign billboards and posters, as well as inciting statements capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.
He disclosed that ISIEC was collaborating with security agencies towards establishing an Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), comprising the Nigeria Police, Army, Navy, Air Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other relevant agencies. He also urged IPAC and political parties to sign and uphold a peace accord to guarantee peaceful political activities before, during and after the election.
The ISIEC chairman further solicited the support of traditional rulers, presidents-general, religious leaders, women and youth organisations in mobilising residents for the election, expressing concern over voter apathy and the need to strengthen grassroots democratic participation. He also acknowledged the role of the media in the electoral process and called for sustained cooperation in reporting the activities of the Commission.
