The Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission has published the official timetable and schedule of activities for the 2026 local government elections. The announcement was made during an interactive session in Awka with leaders of registered political parties under the Inter-Party Advisory Council.
The commission also unveiled the electoral guidelines for the conduct of the polls. ANSIEC Chairman and Chief Electoral Officer, Hon. Genevieve Osakwe, said the release of the timetable signals the start of full preparations for next year’s council elections. She described the occasion as historic and pledged to deliver a free, fair, credible and acceptable election across the state.
Osakwe recalled that the last local government election, held in September 2024, was widely adjudged credible and noted the commission’s intention to build on that achievement in 2026. She emphasized the importance of local government elections in strengthening grassroots democracy, representation and participation. She added that ANSIEC had earlier published the Notice of Election on September 3, 2025, in accordance with the Electoral Act 2022 and the Anambra State Electoral Law 2024.
The 2026 local government elections will take place on August 29 across the state’s 21 councils. Osakwe announced that a familiarization tour of the councils will begin soon to assess facilities, logistics and infrastructure, and to mobilize voters.
According to the timetable, political party primaries will run from December 18, 2025, to February 16, 2026. ANSIEC officials must be present to observe all primaries, and any primary conducted without at least one week’s prior notice or held on the same day as another party’s primary will not be recognized. Osakwe urged political parties to nominate credible candidates.
Collection of nomination and personal data forms by political parties is scheduled for February 17 to 21, 2026, while completed forms are to be submitted between February 23 and 27. Personal particulars of candidates will be published at ANSIEC offices from February 28 to March 2, followed by a window for withdrawal or replacement of candidates from March 3 to 21. The final list of candidates will be released on April 1, when campaigns will officially begin and continue until the midnight of August 27.
Submission of polling agents’ names is fixed for June 30. ANSIEC will publish the Notice of Poll on August 14. The election will be conducted on August 29 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. using the open-secret ballot system, with a run-off or re-run scheduled for September 12 if required.
Osakwe reminded aspirants who are civil servants that they must resign at least 30 days before the election. She also announced that administrative deposits required under state electoral law must be paid before any nomination can be considered valid. She urged political parties to run issue-based campaigns and warned that campaigns are prohibited in churches, mosques, shrines, barracks, police stations and other restricted locations.
She called on political parties and stakeholders to support the commission’s efforts to deliver a transparent and credible poll, assuring that ANSIEC will remain impartial and provide a level playing field for all candidates.
IPAC Chairman and Zenith Labour Party State Chairman, Comrade Uche Ugwoji, praised ANSIEC’s proactive engagement with political parties and assured the commission of their readiness to participate fully in the election. He said IPAC would review the guidelines and return with collective feedback.
Other IPAC members urged the commission to ensure that the process is not only credible but widely perceived as such. African Action Congress governorship candidate Grace Ifemeludike called for greater inclusion of women and youths, stressing the importance of credibility and character over money in candidate selection.
Osakwe was accompanied by other commissioners, including Osita Igbokwe, Commissioner for Legal Matters and Security Services, and Chief Chinedu Anthony Nnalue.
