The Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission (BYSIEC) has suspended the electoral process for the conduct of the 2027 local government elections in the state.The commission also ordered the suspension of all political party primaries for the council elections following a suit filed by the Zenith Labour Party and Accord Party challenging aspects of the electoral process.

The decision was contained in a public notice issued by BYSIEC and signed by its Commissioner for Media and Publicity, Augustus Elliot, on behalf of the chairman. The commission said the electoral process would remain suspended pending the determination of the suit.

BYSIEC directed all political parties to halt their primaries and urged stakeholders and members of the public to comply with the directive.

The suspension is expected to temporarily disrupt preparations by political parties and aspirants ahead of the 2027 local government elections across Bayelsa State’s eight local government areas, pending the resolution of the legal issues.