The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) has commended political parties for their cooperation and commitment towards the successful conduct of the December 29, 2026 local government council elections in the state.
The commission, however, urged all political parties and other stakeholders to strictly comply with amendments to the election timetable.
Speaking after a meeting of the commission in Ibadan, OYSIEC Chairman, Dr Afees Adeniyi, said compliance with the revised timetable was crucial to the smooth, credible and successful conduct of the polls.
Adeniyi disclosed that participating political parties had collected and submitted the required data forms and particulars of their nominated candidates.
He said the window for the withdrawal and replacement of candidates would close on September 30, 2026.
The OYSIEC chairman explained that the amendments to the timetable followed a request by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Oyo State chapter, for an extension of the period for party primaries.
According to him, the extension was sought to accommodate political parties that had yet to conclude their primaries by the earlier deadline of July 27, 2026.
Adeniyi also announced a change in the title of one of the activities on the timetable.
He said the activity previously listed as “Screening of Chairmanship and Councillorship Candidates of Political Parties” would now be known as “Screening and Publication of the Personal Particulars of Candidates Nominated by Political Parties.”
The commission chairman appreciated the cooperation of political parties so far and called on stakeholders to sustain the spirit of collaboration.
He said the collective commitment of political parties, candidates and other stakeholders would be essential to ensuring a peaceful, credible and transparent local government election in Oyo State.
