RSIEC sets August 30 for Rivers LGA elections

The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has fixed August 30, 2025, for the conduct of local government elections in the state.

Michael Odey, chairman of RSIEC, announced the new date on Monday during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.

The meeting also featured the unveiling of a revised timetable and guidelines for the polls.

Odey explained that the election had to be rescheduled due to the state of emergency earlier declared in the state, which disrupted RSIEC’s initial preparations.

He said the commission had reviewed the situation and decided to adjust the electoral calendar to reflect current realities.

“We are committed to conducting a free, fair and credible election, and this adjustment is in the interest of all stakeholders,” Odey said.

According to him, the elections will begin with the expression of interest by political parties scheduled to take place from Monday, July 28 to Wednesday, July 30.

He said political parties are expected to submit the venue, date, and time for their primaries between Thursday, July 31 and Friday, August 1, while the party primaries will hold on Saturday, August 2.

The submission of names of candidates who emerged from the primaries is fixed for the period between August 2 and 4.

The commission will issue nomination forms to chairmanship and councillorship candidates on August 5 and 6.

The names of all candidates will be published on August 23, while electoral campaigns will end by midnight on August 28.

The main election into the local government councils will be conducted on August 30, while run-off for the chairmanship elections, where necessary, has been slated for September 6.

The announcement comes months after the supreme court voided the previous council elections held in October 2024, citing inconsistencies with the Electoral Act.

The apex court ruled that RSIEC failed to follow due process, leading to the nullification of the outcome.

With the new date, political activities are expected to resume across the state’s 23 LGAs as parties prepare for the polls.