The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared full preparedness for the upcoming Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026. This announcement comes just days before the polls, underscoring the commission's commitment to delivering a credible, transparent, and hitch-free electoral process for residents across the six Area Councils.In an exclusive interview on Arise Television on Monday, February 16, 2026, the FCT INEC Administrative Secretary, Abimbola Oladunjoye, affirmed that the commission had completed virtually all necessary preparations. She emphasized that staff training, Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) configuration, and the printing of the voter register had all been finalized.
"So, I tell you that we are very ready for the election come Saturday, 21 February, 2026. We have virtually done everything we need to do for the election," Oladunjoye stated during the broadcast. She highlighted that all non-sensitive materials had already been received, bagged, and dispatched to the various Area Councils. "Right now, we have received all our non-sensitive materials, everything has been bagged and sent to all Area Councils. Towards Thursday, we shall go to the CBN and get our sensitive materials and move them straight to the Area Councils," she added.The six Area Councils involved—Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali—will see elections for Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen, and Councillors across 68 constituencies. According to INEC data, over 1.68 million registered voters are eligible to participate across 2,822 polling units. A total of 570 candidates from various political parties are contesting these positions, reflecting active participation in grassroots democratic governance in Nigeria's capital territory.
This election holds significant importance for local governance in the FCT, where Area Councils manage key responsibilities such as primary education, rural infrastructure, markets, sanitation, and community development. Unlike state-level local government elections conducted by State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), the FCT polls fall under INEC's jurisdiction as stipulated by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended) and the Electoral Act 2022. The commission released the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2026 FCT Area Council Election on January 23, 2025, with 10 out of 13 outlined activities already completed successfully.
Preparations have been thorough and multi-phased. INEC conducted a mock accreditation and voting exercise on Saturday, February 7, 2026, to test the BVAS machines, accreditation processes, and overall logistics in a simulated environment. The exercise provided valuable insights and allowed for fine-tuning ahead of the main event. Training for Electoral Officers, Assistant Electoral Officers, and election security personnel was carried out between February 13 and 15, 2026, with additional sessions held to address any shortfalls in staff turnout. INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, has repeatedly stressed the need for diligence and accountability. During a recent visit to the FCT office, he cautioned staff against any form of laxity or dereliction of duty, warning that such conduct would attract severe consequences. The commission has also secured 1,132 vehicles for seamless logistics and collaborated with transport unions to ensure early deployment and reliable movement of materials and personnel.
Security arrangements are being finalized in collaboration with relevant agencies to guarantee a peaceful atmosphere. INEC has urged political parties to adhere strictly to the campaign cessation deadline of Thursday, February 19, 2026, at midnight, reminding stakeholders that any violation could undermine the integrity of the process.
Voter education remains a priority. The commission has advised eligible residents to locate their polling units well in advance using digital platforms such as voters.inecnigeria.org, where voters can input their details to access specific unit information and directions. INEC has emphasized that voters must cast their ballots only at the polling units where they are registered, with accreditation commencing at 8:30 a.m. on election day.
Civil society organizations, including Yiaga Africa, have mobilized observer teams under initiatives like #WatchingTheVote. These groups are conducting pre-election workshops and deploying monitors to promote transparency, protect votes, and provide real-time reporting on the process. Their involvement is expected to enhance public confidence and contribute to credible outcomes. The FCT Area Council elections serve as a critical test of INEC's operational readiness ahead of the larger 2027 general elections. With nationwide voter revalidation exercises ongoing to clean the register and preparations for Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) set to intensify, the commission views these polls as a benchmark for institutional capacity.
Residents of the FCT are encouraged to participate actively, as the elections offer a direct opportunity to influence local leadership and development priorities. INEC's assurances, backed by concrete actions such as material distribution, staff training, and mock exercises, signal a high level of organization. As Thursday approaches for the pickup of sensitive materials—including ballot papers, result sheets, and other items stored at the Central Bank of Nigeria—the focus now shifts to flawless execution on election day.
Stakeholders, including political parties, security operatives, observers, and the media, are expected to play their roles responsibly to uphold democratic standards. With only a few days remaining, INEC's message is clear: the machinery is set, and the commission stands ready to facilitate the will of the people in the Federal Capital Territory.
