Bauchi Declares Monday Work-Free as Voters Head to Polls for LG Elections

The Bauchi State Government has officially declared Monday, August 17, 2026, a work-free day across the state. The move is aimed at giving civil servants, public sector employees, and banking staff the chance to cast their votes in the upcoming local government elections, which are set to hold on the same day.

The announcement came through a statement released on Friday by Mukhtar Gidado, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity. According to the statement, Governor Bala Mohammed approved the public holiday following a decision by the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC) to conduct elections into all 20 local government councils in the state on that Monday.

The state government explained that the work-free day is designed to remove any barriers that official duties might pose, allowing eligible voters to exercise their constitutional right to vote without hindrance. The directive covers workers at the local, state, and federal levels serving in Bauchi, as well as employees of banks and other public institutions operating within the state.

However, those providing essential services have been exempted from the holiday, ensuring that critical functions continue to run smoothly during the electoral process.

In its statement, the state government urged residents to come out peacefully and take part in the election, emphasizing the importance of responsible conduct before, during, and after the exercise. It also reassured citizens that relevant authorities would collaborate to ensure a peaceful and orderly electoral process, while calling on the public to fully cooperate with security agencies and electoral officials throughout the voting period.