The Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission has announced that only 12 out of the 19 registered political parties in the state will be allowed to participate in the October 2026 local government elections.
The commission made this known on Wednesday during a press conference addressed by its Chairman, Mamman Nda Eri, who said several parties were excluded due to their failure to comply with stipulated guidelines.
Among the affected parties are the African Democratic Congress, Social Democratic Party and the Peoples Democratic Party.
Eri explained that the commission’s decisions were guided strictly by constitutional provisions, the Electoral Act, and relevant court judgments.
He assured political stakeholders and the electorate that KOSIEC was committed to conducting a credible poll, stressing that the commission would ensure a free, fair, and inclusive electoral process while encouraging political parties to adhere strictly to established rules.
“Our processes are transparent, inclusive, and firmly rooted in the law,” he says.
KOSIEC specifically faulted the PDP, SDP, and ADC for failing to meet mandatory requirements, noting that the commission would not recognise the primaries or any other electoral processes conducted by the affected parties.
The chairman further clarified that KOSIEC operates independently of the Independent National Electoral Commission, stressing that it is governed by its own enabling laws and regulations.
“Parties are advised to comply with the Electoral Act 2022 and KOSIEC Law 2025.“
