Bauchi State declares public holiday for local elections

The Bauchi State Government has declared Monday, August 17, 2026, a public holiday to facilitate the upcoming local government council elections. The work-free day applies to civil servants at local, state, and federal levels, as well as employees in the banking sector, though workers in essential services are exempt.

The Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC) has confirmed that 15 political parties are prepared to participate. Chairperson Hajiya Jummai Salamatu Abubakar announced that sensitive electoral materials have been distributed for deployment across the state’s 20 local government areas under tight security.

Voting is scheduled to run from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. While chairmanship elections will occur in 19 of the 20 local government areas, councillorship elections will be held in all 20. Shira Local Government Area will not hold a chairmanship contest as the position was previously filled via a by-election.