The Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission has released the official timetable, activities, and guidelines for the 2026 local government elections, promising a free, fair, credible, and acceptable poll across the state’s 21 local government areas (LGAs).
According to the timetable released on Friday, political party primaries are slated to commence on Thursday, December 18, 2025, and conclude on Monday, February 16, 2026, while the local government election will hold on Saturday, August 29, 2026.
Addressing leaders of registered political parties under the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Awka on Friday, ANSIEC Chairman Genevieve Osakwe said the primaries would be closely monitored by commission officials.
Osakwe noted that the commission had earlier published the notice of election on September 3, 2025, in strict compliance with the Electoral Act 2022 and the Anambra State Electoral Law 2024.
She warned that any primary conducted without proper notice or outside the commission’s knowledge would not be recognised.
She urged political parties to nominate credible candidates and conduct issue-based campaigns, assuring stakeholders of ANSIEC’s commitment to delivering a free and fair election.
She said, “This Commission is working tirelessly day and night to ensure that the dream of conducting a free and fair election in 2026 is attained. Local government elections remain an indispensable component of the democratic process, as they guarantee representation, participation, and decision-making at the grassroots level.
“The 1999 Constitution guarantees a system of democratically elected local government councils and mandates State Independent Electoral Commissions to conduct such elections. ANSIEC will soon commence a familiarisation tour of the 21 LGAs to assess existing facilities, logistics, and electoral infrastructure, as well as to mobilise the electorate ahead of the polls.
“Political party primaries for the nomination of candidates will run from Thursday, December 18, 2025, to Monday, February 16, 2026. The actual election will hold on Saturday, August 29, 2026. ANSIEC officials must be present to observe every primary. No primary conducted without ANSIEC, without at least one week’s prior notice, or on the same date as another party’s primary will be recognised.”
Osakwe reminded political parties that any civil servant seeking to contest for chairmanship or councillorship must resign at least 30 days before the election, in full compliance with the law.
She also disclosed that all aspirants are required to pay non-refundable administrative deposits to the commission as prescribed under Section 27(1)(g) of the Anambra State Electoral Law 2024, stressing that no nomination would be valid without proof of payment.
The chairman further cautioned political parties that campaigns must be issue-based and free of name-calling, blackmail, or calumny. Campaigns will not be allowed in churches, mosques, shrines, barracks, police stations, or any secret locations. All campaigns must be conducted in open public spaces, as required by law.
She added that political parties must stop all campaigns 48 hours before the election. Party agents must submit passports, signatures, and full names, with proper identity tags to be worn during the election.
According to the timetable, political parties will collect and submit nomination forms in February, while the screening of candidates will take place in late February and early March. The final list of candidates will be published on April 1, 2026, which also marks the official commencement of political campaigns.
Also speaking, IPAC Chairman and State Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party, Uche Ugwoji, welcomed the timetable and commended ANSIEC for its proactive engagement with political parties and stakeholders.
Ugwoji assured the commission of the readiness of political parties to participate fully in the election and work with ANSIEC to actualise its vision of a free and fair local government poll. He added that IPAC members would study the electoral guidelines and submissions presented by ANSIEC and return with collective proposals at a subsequent meeting, while emphasising the need for continuous dialogue between the commission and stakeholders.
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