The Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) has fixed Saturday, November 14, 2026, for the conduct of local government council elections in the state, following two previous postponements that disrupted the electoral timetable. The fresh date was announced by the commission’s Chairman, Chief Charles Ejiogu, in a statement issued in Owerri on Tuesday. The election will produce chairmen for the state’s 27 local government areas and councillors for 305 wards.
Ejiogu said the decision followed a stakeholders’ meeting held on Saturday, October 31, at Rockview Hotels, Owerri, where the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and representatives of registered political parties urged the commission to announce a new date. According to him, “participants (Inter Party Advisory Council and Registered Political Parties) met and collectively resolved and urged the Commission to announce a new date for the Council elections within the shortest possible time.” He added that November 7, the date earlier proposed after the initial postponement, was considered unrealistic, prompting the commission to settle for November 14.
The postponements have been accompanied by legal disputes over the validity of the electoral timetable and compliance with statutory requirements. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), alongside four of its Imo State officials, instituted Suit No. HOW/1380/2026 at the Imo State High Court, challenging aspects of the electoral process, including the notice of election and compliance with statutory provisions.
Announcing the new date, Ejiogu said the commission had consulted widely in furtherance of its commitment to a credible exercise. He declared that “the election of 27 LGA Chairmen and 305 Councillors has been rescheduled to hold on Saturday 14th November 2026.” He directed political parties to collect the election timetable and guidelines from ISIEC headquarters at No. 21 Orlu Road, Owerri, while assuring that the commission was ready to observe their respective primaries. “The Commission wishes to assure all political parties and their respective aspirants of its resolve to foster a level playing ground that will usher in a democratically elected Council Administration at the grassroots,” he said.
