In line with Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, the Edo State Local Electoral Law 2012, and the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission Establishment (Re-enactment) (Amendment 1) Law 2022, the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) has fixed July 11, 2026, for the next local government election in the state.
Chairman of EDSIEC, Mr Jonathan Aifuobhokhan, who disclosed this in a Notice of Election issued during a press conference in Benin City yesterday, affirmed the commission’s preparedness to conduct a free, fair and credible election.
He outlined key pre-election activities, beginning with a meeting with political parties for the election guidelines scheduled for November 3, 2025.
This will be followed by the conduct of party primaries and the resolution of disputes arising from the primaries between November 10 and 29, 2025.
The collection of nomination forms by political parties is slated for December 8 to 22, 2025, while submission of completed forms will take place between December 15, 2025, and January 5, 2026.
Other critical dates include the publication of particulars of candidates at the local government offices and EDSIEC headquarters on January 12, 2026, and the deadline for withdrawal and replacement of candidates on January 19, 2026.
The last day for the submission of nomination forms signed by nominees whose names are on the voters list is Friday January 30, 2026
The final list of nominated candidates will subsequently be published by the commission on Monday February 9, 2026
Campaigns by political parties will officially commence on February 11, 2026, and end on July 9, 2026.
May 18 is also the deadline for political parties to submit the names of their polling agents to the respective local government Electoral Officers. The Notice of Poll will be published on June 27, 2026.
Mr Aifuobhokhan noted that the election date complies with Section 103(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, which empowers the commission to fix date for local government election not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of office of the outgoing council officials.
He added that any necessary run-off or rerun elections will be conducted on Saturday, July 25, 2026.
