The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) has released the 2026 local government election timetable, promising a free, fair, credible, and transparent process.
The Chairman of the commission Hon. Plangji Daniel Cishak announced this during an interactive session with political party leaders and a press briefing at the Commission’s Headquarters in Jos on September 4, 2025.
According to the schedule, the publication of notice of election and release of the timetable took effect from September 4, 2025. Party primaries will take place between January 12 and 30, 2026, while political parties are to collect and submit nomination forms between February 2 and March 2, 2026.
According to him, the notification is in line with the mandate of the Commission and in compliance with relevant legal provisions, including Sections 15, 19, 21 and 33 of the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission Law, 2024, Section 197(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and the Electoral Act, 2022.
He explained that elections into the 17 Local Government Councils would be conducted on the scheduled date between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Hon. Plangji emphasized that, pursuant to Section 19(2) of the PLASIEC Law 2024, the elections must hold not later than 30 days before the expiration of the tenure of the current office holders, hence the latest permissible date was fixed for 1st September, 2026.
He further cited Section 33(1) of the PLASIEC Law, which empowers the Commission to issue a notice of election not later than 360 days before the election date.
The Commission emphasized collective responsibility for credible elections and appealed for cooperation to ensure a peaceful process.
Below are Key Highlights of the Timetable
4th September, 2025 – Publication of Notice of Election and release of Timetable.
12th – 30th January, 2026 – Conduct of Party Primaries.
9th February – 2nd March, 2026 – Collection of Nomination Forms (Form PEC001 & PEC4C) by parties.
7th March, 2026 – Publication of candidates’ personal particulars.
11th – 12th March, 2026 – Screening of Chairmanship candidates and running mates.
13th – 16th March, 2026 – Screening of Councillorship candidates.
19th March, 2026 – Publication of list of cleared candidates.
20th & 23rd March, 2026 – Hearing of appeals by the Commission.
30th March, 2026 – Publication of final list of candidates.
31st March, 2026 – Commencement of campaigns.
30th May, 2026 – Last day for withdrawal of candidates.
13th June, 2026 – Deadline for substitution of withdrawn candidates.
15th June, 2026 – Screening and form collection for substituted candidates.
17th June, 2026 – Submission of nomination forms by substituted candidates.
12th August, 2026 – Publication of official Register of Voters; submission of polling agents’ details by parties.
17th August, 2026 – Publication of Notice of Poll.
30th August, 2026 (Midnight) – End of campaigns.
1st September, 2026 – Election Day (8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.).
