With barely few weeks remaining for the elected local government officials in Plateau to mark one year in office, the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC), has declared September 1st, 2026 as a date to conduct elections across the 17 local government councils in the state.

Our correspondent reports that PLASIEC conducted Chairmanship and Councillorship elections on the 9th October, 2024.

Recalled, the elected local government council officials supposed to served a three year tenure but their tenure has been reduced to two year term following a legislation proceedings that was passed into law by the Plateau State House of Assembly.

PLASIEC chairman, Plangji Daniel Cishak stated that the decision by the commission to conduct fresh councils elections next year is in tandem with PLASIEC law 2024, the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended as well as 2022 electoral Act.

Cishak made the pronouncement at the Commission's headquarters on Tuesday while addressing newsmen alongside Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) as well as Civil Society Organisations.

According to Cishak, "As part of the commission's mandate and in compliance with Sections 15, 19, 21 and 33 of the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission Law, 2024, Section 197(1) (B) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Electoral Act, 2022, the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) wishes to notify the leadership of all political parties and the general public that elections shall be conducted in the Seventeen (17) Local Government Councils of Plateau State on Tuesday, 1st September, 2026 between 8.00am and 3.00pm.

"Pursuant to section 19 (2) of PLASIEC Law 2024, election into the said offices shall hold not later than thirty (30) days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of that office. 

"The latest date for the conduct of elections in the Local Government Councils in Plateau State is 1st September, 2026.The Commission is empowered by Section 33(1) of the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission Law to issue Notice of the election not later than Three Hundred and Sixty (360) days before the date of the elections.

"In exercise of the powers conferred on the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (hereinafter referred to as “the Commission”) by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2024 and all powers enabling it in that behalf, the Commission hereby issues this Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2026 Local Government Elections in Plateau State."

Based on the timetable, PLASIEC have scheduled January 12th to 30th, 2026 as a date for political parties to conduct party primaries as campaigns to commence March 31st, 2026 and ended 30th August, 2026.