Bayelsa State to Conduct Local Government Polls in April 2027

The Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission has set the date for the chairmanship and councillorship elections in the state's local government areas as April 3, 2027. This announcement was made by the commission's chairman, Peter Singabele, during a stakeholders' meeting at the commission's conference room in Yenagoa, the state capital.

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Peter Singabele assured that the elections would be conducted in a free, fair, credible, and conclusive manner, and he cited compliance with Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 as the basis for the announcement.

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According to Peter Singabele, all registered political parties are required to organise their internal party congresses in line with the commission's timetable to select candidates for the chairmanship and councillorship positions.

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The commission's timetable indicates that the notice of election takes effect from March 23, 2026, marking the beginning of the electoral process.

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From August 29 to September 9, 2026, political parties will be able to collect Forms F001 and F002 at the BYSIEC headquarters in Yenagoa.

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Party primaries, along with the resolution of any disputes arising from them, are scheduled to occur between September 11 and September 25, 2026.

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Campaigns by political parties will commence on November 3, 2026, and will continue until the designated end date.

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Submission of Forms F001 and F002 is slated to take place from September 26 to October 3, 2026.

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The publication of personal particulars of candidates, as per Form F001, will be done on October 25, 2026.

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The deadline for political parties to submit their nomination forms is October 3, 2026, and October 17, 2026, is the last day for withdrawal or replacement of candidates.

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The commission will publish the official register of voters for the elections on December 29, 2026.

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The list of nominated candidates will be released on January 3, 2027, providing an update on the electoral process.

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Details regarding the polling day, eligible voters, and locations of polling units will be published on March 16, 2027.

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Voter education and sensitisation by the commission will take place from January 5 to January 12, 2027.

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The submission of names of party agents to electoral officers will close on March 16, 2027, as part of the pre-election preparations.

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Campaigns will come to an end at midnight on April 1, 2027, ahead of the elections scheduled for April 3, 2027.

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The commission has pledged to work in synergy with all stakeholders and hold regular consultative meetings to ensure a hitch-free electoral process.

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Attendees at the meeting included members and executives of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, representatives of security agencies in the state, and journalists.