By Douglas Princemola
The Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) has announced Saturday, November 7, 2026, as the new date for the state’s local government elections.
The election was originally scheduled for September 26 but was postponed by the commission, leaving political parties, chairmanship and councillorship aspirants, and other stakeholders awaiting a fresh date.
ISIEC Chairman, Chief Charles Ejiogu, JP, announced the new election date in a statement issued by the commission on Monday, October 5.
According to the commission, the decision followed consultations between ISIEC and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Imo State Chapter, after the earlier postponement.
The commission said the consultations were aimed at arriving at a revised date that would allow relevant stakeholders to prepare adequately for the local government polls.
With the announcement of the new date, political parties and candidates are expected to adjust their plans and preparations ahead of the November 7 election.
ISIEC also disclosed that an expanded stakeholders’ meeting would be convened in due course.
The meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for the commission to present the revised electoral timetable and communicate other guidelines arising from the postponement.
The electoral commission expressed regret over the inconvenience caused by the change in the election date and apologised to political parties, chairmanship and councillorship aspirants, other stakeholders and members of the public.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a peaceful, transparent and credible election across the 27 local government areas of Imo State.
The November 7 poll will determine the chairmen and councillors who will oversee the affairs of the various local government councils in the state.
The announcement is expected to bring an end to the uncertainty surrounding the postponed election, while stakeholders await the detailed timetable and other guidelines from ISIEC.
Political parties participating in the election are now expected to intensify their preparations and mobilisation activities ahead of the new date.
Candidates contesting for chairmanship and councillorship positions will also have another opportunity to engage with voters and consolidate their campaigns across the various local government areas and wards.
As the new election date draws closer, attention is expected to shift to the final preparations by ISIEC, political parties, candidates and other stakeholders.
The commission has urged all stakeholders to cooperate with the electoral body and contribute to a peaceful electoral process.
The people of Imo State are therefore expected to go to the polls on Saturday, November 7, 2026, to elect the officials who will manage the affairs of their respective local government councils.
