The State Independent Electoral Commission has set November 7 as the revised date for the holding of council elections in the state of Imo State. A coalition of CSOs in the state has voiced their worry about this decision.
Section 28(1) of the 2026 Electoral Act states that notice of such an election must be given no later than 300 days before the date designated for holding such an election. The group argued that the 33-day notice violates this requirement.
Chibundu Uchegbu, the coalition’s coordinator, and Udochukwu Uchegbu, its secretary, issued a joint press statement outlining the group’s stance and demanding the dismissal of Charles Ejiogu, the ISIEC chairman.
While it is entirely within ISIEC’s purview to determine when state council elections will take place, they must do it in accordance with our laws, namely Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act of 2026.
Here, ISIEC issued a statement that gave 33 days’ notice to hold elections for the Local Government Council, which was entirely in violation of the Electoral Act of 2026. The original date was rendered untenable due to this very breach, according to the announcement.
On the other hand, it highlighted the importance of lawfulness in bolstering democratic institutions. What gave ISIEC the idea to start doing its duties seriously again? On September 18, 2026, it jolted to life and scheduled council elections for September 26, the same year. It was against the law!
The same council elections were rescheduled for November 7, 2026, after it woke up again on October 5, 2026. Another case of lawbreaking!
Upon appointment, the group urged the new chairman to set a reasonable and acceptable election schedule for the people of Imo State.