The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has officially moved the date for the 2025 local government elections to Saturday, August 30, following a disruption caused by the recent state of emergency.
The elections, which were originally scheduled for August 9, had to be postponed. According to the commission, the “state of emergency” declared in the state affected earlier preparations, prompting a necessary change in the electoral calendar.
RSIEC Chairman Michael Odey made the announcement on Monday during a stakeholder meeting held at the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.
“The election will now be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025,” Odey said.
“It became imperative to adjust the electoral calendar.”
As part of the revised timetable, RSIEC has instructed political parties to conduct their primaries between July 31 and August 3. Submissions of candidates’ names must be made on August 3 and 4, 2025.
“Electioneering would begin on Tuesday, August 12, 2025,” the commission stated.
Additionally, the commission has fixed Saturday, August 16 for the recruitment of ad-hoc staff to support the election process.
“It added that “the list of candidates would be displayed on Wednesday, August 20, 2025.”
