The Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission has scheduled August 17, 2026 for the conduct of local government elections in the state.
The announcement was made on Saturday in Bauchi through a statement by the commission’s Information Officer, Ishiyaku Adamu.
According to the electoral body, the early notification is in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, which requires that election dates be made public at least 360 days ahead of the poll.
Adamu explained that although the referenced Section 28 of the Act specifically relates to elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, a recent legal pronouncement has extended its application to state electoral commissions.
“The Supreme Court verdict of February 20, 2025 on the Rivers State case has made the provision a compulsory benchmark for all state electoral bodies,” he noted.
The statement also disclosed that Governor Bala Mohammed had endorsed the commission’s decision and directed that it fully abide by the law in fixing the date.
“His Excellency is committed to due process and the rule of law and has therefore approved the formal declaration of the election timetable,” the commission stated.
The SIEC urged political parties, stakeholders and members of the public to take note of the development as preparations for the 2026 local council polls begin in earnest.