A civil society organization, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), has called on Kogi State State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) to comply strictly on its own timetable and guidelines and create an enabling environment and a level playing field for all participating political parties and their candidates.
In a statement issued in Lokoja on Wednesday by the Executive Director, Comrade Idris Miliki Abdul, CHRCR called on Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to make the necessary resources available to SIEC, according to 2025 Kogi State Electoral Law, for the commission to make adequate and timely preparation such as need procurement and other relevant activities ahead of the polls slated for October 17 this year.
Miliki noted that according to the 2026 Local Government elections timetable and schedule of activities released by SIEC, the official campaign commences on the 20th of May, 2026, in compliance with the electoral act and Kogi state electoral Law 2025 (as amended).
He urged political parties and candidates to play according to the rules and the provisions of the laws guiding electoral process in Kogi State and Nigeria.
He also called on the political parties and their candidates to guard against misguided utterances and inflammatory statements.
“Election is not a do-or-die affair, they need to know that election is a contest between different participants.
“Local government elections remain the closest form of democracy to the people. They determine who manages community resources, delivers basic services, and represents citizens at the grassroots. As such, clarity of process, credibility of the timetable, and stakeholder confidence are essential to ensuring free, fair, and credible elections.
“We call on the citizens to actively participant and engage meaningfully through Charter of Demand during this Local Government electioneering campaign,” he said.
CHRCR urged the security agencies to maintain neutrality and provide adequate security before, during and after the elections.
