Kogi SIEC Chairman Officially Resumes Office, Announces Domestication of the Electoral Act 2022

The Chairman of the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC), Hon. Mamman Nda Eri has officially resumed his duties and announced that the state has successfully domesticated the Electoral Act 2022. This significant development means that the upcoming Council Chairmen and Councillors will serve a tenure of three years, an increase from the current two-year term, starting from the local government elections scheduled for 2026. During a press briefing held at his office in Lokoja, the Chairman emphasized the importance of this new electoral law, which aims to modernize and align Kogi State’s electoral procedures with national standards. He noted that prior to this change, Kogi operated under an outdated electoral law enacted in 2004, nearly two decades ago.

Hon. Eri highlighted that the new legislation mandates that all electoral processes conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) must be mirrored across all 36 states of the federation. A key change includes extending the notice period for elections from the previous minimum of 90 days to a new benchmark of 360 days. “The new law establishes a 360-day notice period for elections in Kogi State,” he stated, underscoring the importance of adequate preparation for upcoming electoral events. In addition to discussing the new electoral framework, the Chairman urged the citizens of Kogi State to actively participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) initiative, which commenced today. He encouraged residents to register online or transfer their voter cards during this period, emphasizing that civic engagement is crucial for a robust democracy. Hon. Eri also clarified the tenure of the current Council Chairmen and Councillors, reaffirming that they will continue to serve under the terms of the law under which they were elected, which stipulates a two-year term. As Kogi State embarks on the adoption of the Federal electoral laws , Eri declared that notice for the next council election will be issued on October 25th,  2025, in line with the new requirement of a 360-day notice.