By Eze Adiuku
The Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) has announced the suspension of the November 7, 2026 Local Government Council elections, promising to communicate a new date, timetable and guidelines within the shortest possible time.
)The Chairman of ISIEC, Chief Charles Ejiogu, JP, announced the development on Saturday, October 31, during a critical stakeholders’ meeting involving political parties, traditional rulers, aspirants, security representatives, women and youth groups, and other stakeholders at Rockview Hotels, Owerri.
Ejiogu explained that the decision followed consultations with the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and other critical stakeholders after disagreements over the commission’s initial election timetable.
According to him, ISIEC had earlier scheduled the council elections for September 26, 2026, following its September 18, 2025 notification, but subsequently postponed the exercise after concerns were raised by political stakeholders, including legal action initiated by some IPAC members.
He said the commission considered the concerns raised by stakeholders and embarked on constructive engagements, which eventually led to the postponement of the September election.
Explaining the purpose of Saturday’s meeting, Ejiogu said the commission wanted to brief stakeholders on developments surrounding the electoral process, hear their concerns and collectively establish safeguards for peaceful, transparent and credible elections.
He maintained that ISIEC remained an impartial electoral umpire, insisting that the commission belonged to no political party and would provide a level playing field for all registered political parties and their candidates.
“The Commission’s allegiance is to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission Establishment Law and the good people of Imo State,” he stated.
The ISIEC chairman disclosed that the forthcoming elections would cover 4,758 polling units and 305 wards across the state’s 27 local government areas.
He also called on political parties to uphold internal democracy, reminding them that the Electoral Act 2022 requires the commission to observe party primaries.
On security, Ejiogu disclosed that ISIEC was working with security agencies towards establishing an Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), involving the Police, Army, Navy, Air Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other relevant agencies.
He urged political parties and their supporters to embrace peaceful campaigns, respect opposing views and refrain from violence, thuggery, hate speech and other activities capable of undermining the electoral process.
The chairman particularly warned against the destruction of opponents’ campaign billboards and posters, as well as inflammatory statements capable of triggering violence.
He further appealed to IPAC and political parties to sign and respect a peace accord ahead of the rescheduled elections, stressing that no individual or group would be allowed to undermine the will of the electorate.
Ejiogu also solicited the support of traditional rulers, presidents-general, religious leaders, women and youth organisations in mobilising grassroots participation and addressing voter apathy.
He acknowledged the media as a critical partner in the democratic process, commending journalists for their sustained engagement with the commission and promising continued cooperation.
Reassuring stakeholders of the commission’s commitment, Ejiogu said ISIEC would not abdicate its constitutional responsibility to conduct peaceful, transparent and credible local government elections that would produce democratically elected chairmen and councillors.
He, however, did not announce a replacement date for the exercise, assuring stakeholders that a fresh timetable and electoral guidelines would be released shortly.
The meeting is part of ongoing engagements by ISIEC with political parties and other stakeholders ahead of the local government elections, which are expected to determine the next set of elected political leaders across Imo State’s 27 local government areas.
