by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) has started its preparations for the forthcoming local government elections in the state.
In this line, PLASIEC is notifying leadership of all political parties and the general public that elections would be conducted in the seventeen (17) Local Government Councils of the State on Tuesday, 1st September, 2026, between 8.00am and 3.00pm.
Pursuant to Section 19 (2) of PLASIEC Law 2024, election into the said offices shall hold not later than thirty (30) days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of that office. The latest date for the conduct of elections in the Local Government Councils in Plateau State is 1st September, 2026.
Chairman of PLASIEC, Mr. Plangji Daniel Cishak, disclosed this, while briefing Newsmen on Thursday in his office on the line-up of the activities towards ensuring peaceful and successful local government elections in 2026.
According to him, this is part of its mandate and in compliance with Sections 15, 19, 21 and 33 of the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission Law, 2024, Section 197(1) (B) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Electoral Act, 2022.
“The Commission is empowered by Section 33(1) of the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission Law to issue Notice of the Election not later than Three Hundred and Sixty (360) days before the date of the elections.”
“In exercise of the powers conferred on the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (hereinafter referred to as “the Commission”) by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2024 and all powers enabling it in that behalf.”
In this regard, the Commission thereby issues its Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2026 Local Government Elections in the State, as follows:
The Chairman said: Publication of Notice of Election Release of Election Timetable, Thursday, 4th September, 2025, Section 33(1) of PLASIEC Law, 2024, while conduct of Party Primaries including resolution of disputes arising from the Primaries, Monday, 12th January, 2026 to Friday, 30th January, 2026.
According to him, this is to enable Political Parties democratically nominate candidates for the election as required by Section 34 PLASIEC Law 2024, and collection of Nomination Forms (Form PEC001 & Form PEC4C) for Candidates by Political Parties Monday, 2nd February, 2026, to Friday, 6th February, 2026, Sections 34 and 35 of the PLASIEC Law, 2024.
Mr. Cishak further explained that, submission of Nomination Forms (Form PEC001 & Form PEC4C) for Candidates by Political Parties would be on Monday, 9th February, 2026 to Monday, 2nd March, 2026; Section 35 of the PLASIEC Law, 2024 29 (1) Electoral Act, 2022.
He said, Publication of Personal Particulars of Candidates at PLASIEC Headquarters and Local Government Offices by the Commission would be on Saturday, 7th March, 2026, Section 35(3) of the PLASIEC Law, 2024, and Section 29 (3) Electoral Act, 2022.
“Verification/Screening of Chairmanship Candidates and their Running Mates: Wednesday 11th March, 2026, to Thursday, 12th March, 2026, Sections 39(2) (3) and 42(3) of the PLASIEC Law, 2024, and Verification and Screening of Councillorship Candidates Friday, 13th March, 2026 to Monday, 16th March, 2026, Section 39 (2) (3) and 42 (3) of the PLASIEC Law, 2024.
According to him, Publication of List of Qualified/Cleared Candidates by PLASIEC Thursday, 19th March, 2026, Section 39(2) & (3) of the PLASIEC Law, 2024, while receiving of Appeal Cases by PLASIEC, Friday, 20th March, 2026,Section 39(2) & (3) of the PLASIEC Law, 2024.
Also hearing of Appeal Cases by PLASIEC will be on Monday, 23rd March, 2026, section 39(2) & (3) of the PLASIEC Law, 2024, while publication of Final List of Nominated Candidates by the Commission Monday, 30th March, 2026, Section 35 of the PLASIEC Law, 2024 and Section 32(1) Electoral Act, 2022 and commencement of Campaigns by Political Parties in Public ,Tuesday, 31st March, 2026, Section 81(1) of the PLASIEC Law, 2024 and Section 94(1) Electoral Act, 2022.
The Chairman further stated that, the last Day for the Withdrawal of Candidate(s)/Replacement of withdrawn Candidate(s) by Political Parties will be on Saturday, 30th May, 2026, Sections 37 and 40(1) of the PLASIEC Law, 2024 and Section 31 Electoral Act, 2022.
Mr. Cishak disclosed further that, replacement of Withdrawn Candidates by Political Parties Saturday, 13th June, 2026, Section 40(2) of the PLASIEC Law, 2024 and Section 33 Electoral Act, 2022, while screening of replaced Candidates by PLASIEC, Monday, 15th June, 2026, Section 39(2) & (3) of the PLASIEC Law, 2024.
While also collection of Nomination Forms by all Cleared-Substituted Candidates, would be on Monday, 15th June, 2026, Section 39(2) & (3) of the PLASIEC Law, 2024, and submission of Nomination Forms by all Cleared-Substituted Candidates Wednesday, 17th June, 2026, Section 39(2) & (3) of the PLASIEC Law, 2024.
According to him, Publication of Official Register of Voters for the Election by the Commission will be on Tuesday, 21st July, 2026, Section 10(4) of the Electoral Act, 2022, and submission of Names and Addresses of Polling Agents by Political Parties to the Commission Wednesday, 12th August, 2026, Section 48(1) of the PLASIEC Law, 2024 and Section 43 Electoral Act, 2022.
He disclosed further that, Publication of Notice of Poll by the Commission will be on Monday, 17th August, 2026, Section 44 of the Electoral Act, 2022,while the last day for Campaigns by Political Parties Sunday, 30th August, 2026 (12.00 mid-night), Section 83(1) of the PLASIEC Law, 2024 and Sections 94(1) & 96 of the Electoral Act, 2022, and Election Day Tuesday 1st September, 2026, holds at 8am to 3pm, Section 33 of the PLASIEC Law, 2024.