The Bauchi State Government has declared Monday, August 17, 2026, a work-free day across the state to enable eligible residents to participate in the forthcoming local government council elections.
The declaration covers civil servants and other public servants serving at the local, state and federal levels, as well as employees in the banking sector, the government said.
The decision was announced in a statement issued on Friday by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado.
Gidado said the declaration followed the decision of the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission to conduct elections into the state’s local government councils on Monday.
According to him, the measure was introduced to ensure that workers and other eligible residents were not prevented from voting because of their official responsibilities.
“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,” Gidado said.
He explained that the work-free day would give eligible voters sufficient time to return to their polling units and participate in the elections without having to choose between their civic responsibilities and official duties.
The government, however, clarified that workers involved in essential services would be exempted from the declaration.
Gidado urged residents to use the opportunity responsibly by turning out peacefully to exercise their franchise and comply with relevant electoral laws and guidelines.
He called on voters, political parties, candidates and other stakeholders to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the elections.
The governor’s aide also assured residents that the state government was working with relevant authorities to provide a secure and orderly environment for the conduct of the polls.
“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,” he stated.
The government further urged residents to cooperate with security personnel deployed for the elections and adhere to directives issued by electoral officials at polling centres across the state.
The declaration comes as political parties and candidates intensify their final preparations for the local government elections, with voters expected to elect officials responsible for administering affairs at the grassroots.
The elections are expected to attract participation from residents across the state’s local government areas, making the government’s decision to suspend official duties on Monday a measure aimed at improving voter participation.
The work-free order will also allow public servants who are registered voters to travel to their respective polling units where necessary without being constrained by their normal work schedules.
The government said its decision was not intended to affect essential public services, which would continue to operate to ensure that critical functions remain available to residents during the election period.
Gidado therefore urged residents to see the election as an opportunity to strengthen democratic participation at the grassroots level while avoiding actions capable of disrupting the electoral process.
He appealed to eligible voters to respect the rights of other citizens, follow lawful instructions from security agencies and electoral officials and refrain from violence or other forms of misconduct.
Political parties and candidates were similarly expected to encourage their supporters to maintain peace and allow voters to freely exercise their franchise.
The declaration is particularly significant as local government elections are often regarded as an important avenue for citizens to directly participate in choosing leaders responsible for grassroots development, including local infrastructure, sanitation and other community-level services.
The Bauchi State Government wished residents a peaceful, credible and successful local government council election, while urging all stakeholders to place the interests of the state above partisan considerations.
West Trybe reports that the decision to declare Monday a work-free day is aimed at removing one of the practical barriers that could prevent eligible workers from participating in the local government elections. By suspending official duties for most workers, the government expects residents to have greater opportunity to vote while maintaining essential services and ensuring that the electoral process proceeds peacefully across the state.
