Owerri
The Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) has postponed the November 7, 2026, Local Government Council elections in the state, promising to announce a new date, timetable and guidelines within the shortest possible time.
The Chairman of ISIEC, Chief Charles Ejiogu, announced the postponement on Saturday, October 31, 2026, during a critical stakeholders' meeting held at Rockview Hotels, Owerri, ahead of the council elections.
Ejiogu, who addressed representatives of political parties, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), traditional rulers, religious leaders, chairmanship and councillorship aspirants, women and youth groups, as well as members of the media, said the decision followed extensive consultations with critical stakeholders.
He explained that the Commission had initially scheduled the local government elections for September 26, 2026, following its September 18, 2025, notification of the electoral process, but subsequently postponed the exercise after disagreements with some stakeholders, particularly IPAC, over the election timetable.
According to him, some IPAC members had approached the judiciary seeking an extension of the electoral timeline, prompting the Commission to engage stakeholders in constructive discussions that eventually resulted in the postponement of the earlier date.
He said the latest postponement was informed by the Commission's determination to accommodate stakeholders' concerns and collectively establish safeguards for peaceful, transparent and credible elections.
The ISIEC chairman, however, reaffirmed the Commission's commitment to conducting a free, fair and credible election, stressing that the electoral umpire remained independent and would provide a level playing field for all registered political parties and their candidates.
"ISIEC, as an established democratic institution, belongs to no political party and we will remain an impartial Electoral Management Body," he declared.
Ejiogu maintained that the Commission's allegiance was to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission Establishment Law and the people of Imo State.
He disclosed that the forthcoming local government elections would cover 4,758 polling units across 305 wards in the state's 27 local government areas.
He also called on political parties to strengthen internal democracy, noting that the Electoral Act 2022 requires the Commission to observe primary elections conducted by political parties.
On electoral security, Ejiogu disclosed that ISIEC was collaborating with security agencies towards establishing an Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), comprising the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other relevant agencies.
He warned political parties, candidates and their supporters against violence, thuggery, hate speech, destruction of campaign posters and billboards, and other activities capable of undermining the electoral process.
The chairman also urged political parties to sign and abide by a peace accord, insisting that no individual or group would be allowed to subvert the will of the electorate.
He appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, women, youths and other community stakeholders to intensify grassroots sensitisation and mobilisation to encourage voter participation and address voter apathy.
While acknowledging the media as an important partner in the democratic process, Ejiogu called for sustained cooperation and responsible reportage of electoral activities.
He assured political parties and prospective candidates that the Commission would guarantee a seamless and level playing field when the new electoral timetable is released.
Ejiogu reiterated that ISIEC would not abdicate its constitutional responsibility of conducting peaceful, transparent and credible local government elections that would produce democratically elected council chairmen and councillors across Imo State.
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