The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) has slated September 1, 2026, for the conduct of local council elections across the 17 local government areas (LGAs) of the state.

The chairman of the commission, Daniel Cishak, stated this during a news conference on Thursday in Jos.

He said that the move was in accordance with sections 15, 19, 21 and 33 of PLASIEC Law, 2024; Section 197(1)(B) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended); and the Electoral Act, 2022.

Mr Cishak said, “PLASIEC wishes to notify the leadership of all political parties and the general public that elections shall be conducted in the 17 LGAs of Plateau on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. The elections will be held between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Pursuant to section 19(2) of PLASIEC Law, 2024, election into the said offices shall hold not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of that office. The commission is empowered by Section 33(1) of the PLASIEC Law to issue notice of the election not later than 360 days before the date of the elections.’’

Mr Cishak called on the political parties and other stakeholders to abide by the timetable released by the commission ahead of the polls.

He also called for cooperation from political parties and Plateau residents to enable the commission to organise free, fair and credible elections.

The commission in October 2024 conducted elections that produced the current leadership across the 17 LGAs of the state.

The two-year tenure of the chairmen and councillors of the LGAs would elapse in October 2026.

(NAN)