The Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission (BYSIEC) has announced April 3, 2027, as the date for the conduct of local government elections across the state.
Chairman of the commission, Peter Singabele, disclosed this on Monday during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the commission’s conference room in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital. He assured stakeholders that the elections would be free, fair, credible, and conclusive.
Singabele stated that the announcement was in line with Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, noting that the exercise would be conducted in all eight local government areas of the state.
He urged all registered political parties to adhere strictly to the commission’s timetable and conduct their internal congresses to nominate candidates for chairmanship and councillorship positions.
According to the timetable released by BYSIEC, the notice of election takes effect from March 23, 2026. Political parties are expected to collect nomination forms (F001 and F002) between August 29 and September 9, 2026, at the commission’s headquarters in Yenagoa.
Party primaries and resolution of related disputes are scheduled for September 11 to September 25, 2026, while campaigns will commence on November 3, 2026.
Submission of completed nomination forms will take place between September 26 and October 3, 2026, with October 3 set as the final deadline. The commission fixed October 17, 2026, as the deadline for withdrawal or substitution of candidates.
Publication of candidates’ personal particulars (Form F001) is slated for October 25, 2026, while the official register of voters will be published on December 29, 2026. The final list of nominated candidates is expected on January 3, 2027.
BYSIEC also announced that voter education and sensitisation campaigns would hold from January 5 to January 12, 2027. Submission of party agents’ names will close on March 16, 2027, the same day details of polling units and voting procedures will be made public.
Campaign activities are expected to end at midnight on April 1, 2027, ahead of the elections scheduled for April 3.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with stakeholders, including political parties, security agencies, and civil society groups, to ensure a smooth and credible electoral process.
Stakeholders present at the meeting included members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, representatives of security agencies, and journalists.
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