The Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC) has fixed August 17, 2026, for the next round of local government elections in the state.

The announcement was made on Saturday through a statement signed by BASIEC’s Information Officer, Ishiyaku Adamu. According to the commission, the declaration aligns with the Electoral Act 2022, which requires election dates to be made public at least 360 days before polling.

While Section 28 of the Act specifically addresses elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), BASIEC noted that the Supreme Court’s February 2025 ruling on a Rivers State case established the same requirement as a binding rule for state electoral commissions nationwide.

Governor Bala Mohammed, the statement added, has endorsed the move as part of his administration’s commitment to respecting the rule of law and strengthening democratic processes.

BASIEC urged political parties, candidates, and voters to take note of the timeline as preparations for the 2026 council polls get underway.