By John Ovie
The Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission (BYSIEC) has released timetable for the conduct of the next local government election in the state.
Chairman of the commission, Dr. Peter Singabele, who made the announcement on Monday during a stakeholders meeting with political parties at the commission’s headquarters in Yenagoa, the state capital, said the conduct of chairmanship and councillorship elections will hold on April 3rd, 2027.
According to the chairman, the timetable was in line with section 28, subsection 1 of the electoral Act, 2026, which provides that the commission shall release timetable not later than 300 days before the appointed day of holding an election.
Singabele added that while the commission would try its best to conduct a credible election, political parties should comply with electoral guidelines.
A statement by BYSIEC Commissioner for Media and Publicity, Mr. Elliot Osomu noted that collection of forms by political parties will commence from August 29th to September 9th, 2026 while conduct of political parties primaries and resolution of disputes will hold between 11 and 25th of September, 2026.
He said submission of forms by chairmanship and councillorship candidates will take place from September 26th to October 3rd, 2026, while campaigns will begin on November 3rd, 2026 and end on April 1st, 2027.
Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ) Bayelsa State Council, Mr. Tonye Yemoleigha charged political parties to play by the rules before, during and after the polls to ensure peaceful and credible electoral exercise.
Secretary of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and state Chairman of Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Mrs. Peace Oruama said the time frame given by the electoral umpire was enough for political parties to prepare themselves polls.
