By DADA AYOKHAI
The Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) has announced the timetable and schedule for the 2025 Councillorship By-Election in nine Local Government Areas of the state
EDSIEC Chairman, Hon. Jonathan Aifuobhokhan, announced the election schedule through a signed press statement released to journalists in Benin.
According to Hon. Aifuobhokhan, “In line with Section 28 (3) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Edo State Local Government Election Law 2012, hereby informs the general public that the 2025 Local Government By-Election shall be conducted across Nine (9) Local Government Council covering Forty-Nine (49) Wards, and 1485 Polling Units in the state.
“The by-election into the vacant offices of the Councillors across the 9 local government councils in the state shall be held on Saturday 20th September, 2025.
“All the registered political parties are required to collect nomination forms on behalf of their candidates at the Edo State Independent Electoral Committee (INEC) Headquarters located at Plot 116, Oko-Ogba Airport Road, Benin City.”
Timetable and Schedule of Activities for 2026 Local Government Election as announced by EDSIEC are as follows:-
Thursday, 28th August, 2025: Publication of Notice of By-Election by EDSIEC: Section 28 (1) of the Electoral Act 2022 provides not later than 14 days before the election.
Monday 1st – Thursday 4th September, 2025: Conduct of Party Primaries including resolution of disputes arising from the primaries and observation of same by EDSIEC – To enable Political Parties democratically nominate candidates for the election as required by Section 84 of the Electoral Act 2022.
Friday 5th – Tuesday 9th September, 2025: Collection and Submission of Nomination Form (A, A1, and M) by Political Parties.
Thursday 11th September, 2025: Publication of Personal Particulars of Candidates of Political Parties at the Local Government Offices and EDSIEC Headquarters by EDSIEC – Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 provides for publication within 7 days of the receipt of the Form.
Friday 12th – Thursday 18th September, 2025: Commencement of Campaign by Political Parties in Public.
Monday 15th September, 2025: Last day for submission of names of Polling Agents for the election to the Electoral Officer (EO) of the Local Government Area by the Political Parties.
Tuesday 16th September, 2025: Publication of Notice of Poll by EDSIEC
Saturday 20th September, 2025: Date of Election – Section 103(2) of the Electoral Act, 2022 empowers the Commission to appoint date for Local Government By-Election to fill vacancies that occur in Local Government within 30 days from the date the vacancy occurred.
