The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is gearing up for its inaugural substantial electoral undertaking governed by the recently enacted 2026 Electoral Act. Scheduled for Saturday, February 20, this exercise will unfold in the Federal Capital Territory as well as in specific constituencies within Rivers and Kano states.
These elections are seen as an initial trial of the revised electoral system that President Bola Tinubu recently approved.
INEC will manage Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory, alongside bye-elections occurring in Rivers and Kano states. Observers are considering this exercise a significant preview of the groundwork being laid in preparation for the general elections in 2027.
Prof. Joash Amupitan, the Chairman of INEC, revealed that there will be a total of 1,680,315 registered voters participating across 2,822 polling locations spanning the six Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory.
Bye-elections are slated to occur in the Ahoada East II and Khana II State constituencies in Rivers State, with contests occurring in the Kano Municipal and Ungogo State constituencies in Kano State.
A prominent aspect of the 2026 Electoral Act is the formal authorization given to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) as well as the Election Results Viewing Portal (IReV). These technologies are designed to improve transparency and augment the integrity of the electoral process.
Given that INEC traditionally oversees only local government elections in the Federal Capital Territory, the upcoming election on Saturday is broadly viewed as a crucial test of the commission’s preparedness under the newly amended electoral law.
In anticipation of the elections, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, announced that Friday will be designated as a work- free day to facilitate residents' travel back to their communities to vote.
Wike also communicated through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, about a temporary restriction to be enforced across the territory during the electoral period.
Mobility within the Federal Capital Territory will be prohibited from 8:00 PM on February 20 until 6:00 PM on February 21, 2026, with security forces instructed to ensure adherence to this directive.
The minister called upon residents to engage in the voting process peacefully, underscoring the significance of electing capable leaders, including chairpersons and councillors for the six Area Councils.
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