12 political parties to participate in Edo LG elections, as EDSIEC releases final list

BENIN CITY – Twelve political parties have been cleared to participate in the forthcoming Edo State Local Government Council elections scheduled for Saturday, 11th July 2026, following the release of the final list of candidates by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC).

In a statement signed by Abebe Emmanuel on behalf of the Commission, EDSIEC announced that the twelve parties successfully completed the nomination process as of 4:00 p.m. on 16th April 2026 and will field candidates across the state for the polls.

The Commission explained that the publication of the final list marks the end of the statutory window for withdrawal and substitution of candidates.

It stressed that no further changes will be allowed, except in the event of the death of a candidate or running mate before Election Day, in accordance with Section 34(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

Recall that on 17th April 2026, EDSIEC had published the personal particulars of candidates who emerged from party primaries ahead of the elections, in compliance with electoral guidelines.

According to the Commission, the newly released document represents the final list of duly nominated candidates contesting in the July 11 elections.

It added that the list contains key details including party affiliation, age, gender, and academic qualifications, and has been made accessible to the public through its Local Government offices, headquarters, official website, and social media platforms.

Reaffirming its commitment to credible elections, EDSIEC restated its readiness to conduct free, fair, transparent, and peaceful polls across the state. It urged all stakeholders to cooperate with the Commission and assured that the electoral process would be properly managed in line with democratic standards.