Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has declared Monday, August 17, 2026, a work‑free day across the state, a move designed to ensure that civil servants, public workers and bank employees can fully participate in the forthcoming Local Government Council elections. The declaration, announced on Friday, August 14, by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, covers workers at the local, state and federal levels serving in Bauchi, as well as employees in the banking sector. However, workers engaged in essential services are exempted from the work‑free arrangement.
The decision follows the announcement by the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC) fixing Monday, August 17, for the conduct of elections into the Local Government Councils across the state. According to the statement, the work‑free day is intended to provide eligible citizens with the opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to vote and participate in the democratic process at the grassroots level without being constrained by official duties.
BASIEC has assured residents of its preparedness to conduct free, fair, credible and peaceful local government elections. The chairperson of the Commission, Hajiya Jummai Salamatu Abubakar, reaffirmed BASIEC’s commitment to conducting the elections in line with its constitutional mandate. She said elections would be conducted for chairmanship positions in 19 of the state’s 20 local government areas and councillorship seats in all 20 local government areas. Abubakar explained that no chairmanship election would be held in Shira Local Government Area because the position had already been filled through an earlier by‑election.
She further disclosed that the Commission had engaged political parties, security agencies, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations and the media in a series of consultations aimed at ensuring an inclusive, transparent and hitch‑free electoral process. On logistics and security, the BASIEC chairperson said adequate arrangements had been concluded in collaboration with relevant security agencies for the procurement and deployment of election materials, transportation and personnel to polling units across the state. She added that the training of election personnel, voter education and public enlightenment campaigns were at advanced stages.
The government has urged eligible voters to come out peacefully and exercise their franchise in accordance with the law. It also called on citizens to conduct themselves responsibly before, during and after the elections, assuring that relevant authorities would work to ensure a peaceful and orderly electoral process. Residents have been further urged to cooperate with security agencies and electoral officials in the discharge of their responsibilities. Governor Bala Mohammed wished the people of Bauchi State a peaceful and successful Local Government Councils election.
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