The Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) has announced that only 12 of the 19 registered political parties will participate in the forthcoming local government elections scheduled for October 2026.
The Chairman of the commission, Mamman Nda Eri, disclosed this during a press conference, explaining that the excluded parties failed to comply with the commission’s guidelines and statutory requirements.
According to him, parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) were disqualified over what he described as non-compliance with electoral procedures, including issues arising from their primaries.
Eri stressed that KOSIEC’s decision was guided strictly by the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, the KOSIEC Law 2025, as well as relevant court rulings, adding that the commission would not recognise primaries or other processes conducted outside its regulations.
“Our processes are transparent, inclusive and firmly rooted in the law,” the KOSIEC chairman said.
He further clarified that the state electoral body operates independently of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with its own legal framework regulating local government elections in Kogi State.
While assuring political parties and other stakeholders of a free, fair and credible election, Eri urged all parties to strictly adhere to the commission’s guidelines to avoid disqualification.
He advised political parties to ensure full compliance with the Electoral Act 2022 and KOSIEC regulations, noting that only parties that meet the stipulated requirements would be allowed to participate in the polls.
