The Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission has suspended preparations for the 2027 local government elections following a legal challenge by the Zenith Labour Party and Accord Party.
The commission also ordered political parties to suspend their primaries for the council elections until the court determines the suit filed against the electoral body.
The decision was announced in a public notice issued on Saturday by the commission’s Commissioner for Media and Publicity, Augustus Elliot, on behalf of the chairman.
According to the notice, the suspension affects the electoral process for the forthcoming local government elections across the state’s eight local government areas.
The commission said the action became necessary after the two political parties approached the court to challenge aspects of the electoral process.
It stated, “The Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission hereby announces temporary suspension of the electoral process leading to the conduct of the 2027 Local Government Elections.”
The commission further directed all political parties to suspend their candidate-selection activities pending the outcome of the case.
It added, “Consequently, all Party Primaries are hereby suspended, pending the outcome of a suit filed by the Zenith Labour Party and Accord Party against the Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission.”
BYSIEC urged political parties, stakeholders and members of the public to comply with the directive while the legal proceedings continue.
The suspension is expected to pause preparations by political parties and aspirants seeking to contest the 2027 council elections until the court resolves the issues raised by the two parties.
The notice was signed by Elliot as Commissioner for Media and Publicity, BYSIEC, for the chairman.
