From Tongnaan Bawa Jos
The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) has released a revised timetable for the conduct of the 2026 Local Government Elections, reaffirming its commitment to transparency, inclusiveness and the delivery of a credible electoral process across the state.
The updated schedule was announced during a press briefing at the Commission’s headquarters in Jos.
Addressing journalists, political party representatives, civil society organisations and security agencies, the PLASIEC Chairman, Plangji Cishak, recalled that the Commission had earlier issued the Notice of Election in September 2025, in line with the PLASIEC Law, 2024, and the Electoral Act, 2022, to formally commence preparations for the polls.
He explained that the review of the timetable became necessary to fine-tune key pre-election activities and ensure a smooth and well-coordinated process ahead of the elections now fixed for Wednesday, 9 September 2026.
According to Cishak, the adjustments were guided by legal, administrative and operational considerations, with the overarching goal of strengthening coordination, accountability and stakeholder participation.
He stressed that all changes fully comply with existing electoral laws and reflect the Commission’s values of transparency, excellence and effective engagement.
Under the revised timetable, political parties are to conduct their primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them, between Saturday, 7 March and Thursday, 12 March 2026.
The Commission noted that the new dates would provide parties with adequate time to democratically nominate candidates and resolve internal grievances.
The collection of nomination forms by political parties is scheduled for Friday, 13 March to Tuesday, 17 March 2026, while submission of completed forms will take place from Wednesday, 18 March to Thursday, 19 March 2026, at the PLASIEC headquarters.
Publication of the personal particulars of candidates is slated for Saturday, 21 March 2026, at the Commission’s headquarters and local government offices. This will be followed by the verification and screening of chairmanship candidates and their running mates from Monday, 23 March to Tuesday, 24 March 2026, while councillorship candidates will be screened between Wednesday, 25 March and Saturday, 28 March 2026.
PLASIEC will publish the list of qualified candidates on Monday, 30 March 2026. Appeals will be received on Tuesday, 31 March, with hearings scheduled for Wednesday, 1 April 2026. The final list of nominated candidates is expected to be released on Thursday, 9 April 2026.
Campaign activities by political parties will officially commence on Saturday, 11 April 2026. The Commission also disclosed that the official register of voters will be published on Tuesday, 21 July 2026, while political parties are to submit the names and addresses of their polling agents by Wednesday, 12 August 2026.
Campaigns will end at midnight on Monday, 7 September 2026, ahead of the local government elections scheduled for Wednesday, 9 September 2026.
Cishak urged all stakeholders to study the revised timetable carefully and cooperate fully with the Commission, noting that sustained collaboration and accurate information dissemination are critical to the successful conduct of peaceful and credible local government elections in Plateau State.