Bauchi declares Monday work-free for council polls as police deploy personnel and warn against violence, vote buying and ballot snatching.
BAuchi State Government has declared Monday, 17th August, 2026, as public holiday to enable residents participate in the local government elections holding across the 20 LGAs of the State.
The Special Adviser of Media and Publicity to the Bauchi State Governor, Mukhtar Gidado, said the government’s decision followed the announcement of the local government elections by the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC).
He said that the State Government calls on all citizens and residents of Bauchi State to come out peacefully and exercise their franchise in accordance with the law, urging all eligible voters to conduct themselves responsibly before, during and after the elections.
Gidado said: “His Excellency , Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed CON , Fnipr ( Kauran Daular Usmaniyya ) the Executive Governor of Bauchi State has declared Monday, 17th August 2026, as work-free day across the state to enable civil servants and other public servants, including workers at the local government, state and federal levels working in the state, as well as employees in the banking sector, to participate fully in the forthcoming Local Government Councils Election.
The decision follows the announcement by the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC) fixing Monday, 17th August 2026, for the conduct of elections into the Local Government Councils across the state.
“The declaration is intended to provide eligible citizens the opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to vote and contribute to the democratic process at the grassroots level without disruption arising from official duties. However, workers engaged on essential services are exempted.”
He added that: “The State Government therefore calls on all citizens and residents of Bauchi State to come out peacefully and exercise their franchise in accordance with the law. All eligible voters are urged to conduct themselves responsibly before, during and after the elections.
The State Government assures citizens that all relevant authorities will work to ensure a peaceful and orderly electoral environment and urges everyone to cooperate with security agencies and electoral officials in the discharge of their responsibilities.
“The Bauchi State Government wishes all citizens a peaceful, and successful Local Government Councils Election.”
Meanwhile, the Bauchi State Police Command, has assured residents of adequate security throughout the period of the council elections.
In a statement by the its Public Relations Officer, Nafiu Habib, a Superintendent of Police, the Command said it has put in place comprehensive security arrangements to ensure a peaceful, credible, and hitch-free conduct of the 2026 Local Government Elections.
He said that as part of the preparations, the Command has strategically deployed personnel across the State to reinforce security and guarantee the safety of lives, property, and electoral materials before, during, and after the elections.
Habib said that the Commissioner of Police Sani-Omolori Aliyu, warned against all forms of electoral violence and other electoral offences.
“The Command hereby warns that any act of electoral violence, ballot box snatching, thuggery, vote buying and selling, intimidation of voters, or disruption of the electoral process will be met with the full weight of the law. Perpetrators, sponsors, and their accomplices, irrespective of status or affiliation, will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
“CP Omolori further assures residents that all security personnel deployed for the exercise will conduct themselves with the highest level of professionalism, neutrality, and respect for human rights, and in strict compliance with extant laws.
“The Command therefore reassures the good people of Bauchi State of a safe and secure environment to exercise their franchise. Citizens are encouraged to come out en masse to vote and to promptly report any suspicious activity to the nearest Police Station or through the Command’s emergency lines,” he admonished.