Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is poised to conduct its first major outing under the newly signed legal framework today (Saturday, February 21).
The commission will oversee the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Area Council elections alongside critical by-elections in Rivers and Kano States, serving as a litmus test for the Electoral Act 2026 recently assented to by President Bola Tinubu.
This came as the Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, declared yesterday, a work-free day and announced total restriction of movement starting yesterday to ensure the smooth conduct of today’s Area Council elections.
Meanwhile, the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, said the FCT polls would involve 1,680,315 registered voters across 2,822 polling units in the six area councils.
Simultaneously, the commission will conduct by-elections in Rivers State for Ahoada East II and Khana II State Constituencies, as well as in Kano State for Kano Municipal and Ungogo State Constituencies.
The 2026 Electoral Act introduces several high-stake adjustments that the commission must navigate in real-time. Key among these is the statutory entrenchment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, and the Election Results Viewing Portal, IReV.
As the FCT elections represent the only local government-level polls directly conducted by INEC, observers view this weekend as a strategic rehearsal for the 2027 general elections.
In a special broadcast yesterday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the minister explained that the work-free day, approved by President Bola Tinubu, is intended to allow residents travel to their various communities to participate in the polls.
To secure the electoral process, the minister also announced a mandatory restriction of movement across the FCT.
“Similarly, the P1president has approved the restriction of movement within the FCT from 8pm of February 20 to 6pm of February 21. Consequently, all security agencies are directed to ensure strict compliance with this directive,” Wike said.
The minister urged residents to approach the polls with a sense of purpose, emphasising that the election of chairmen and councillors for the six area councils is a crucial opportunity to shape the territory’s future.
He called for orderliness and respect for the democratic process, noting that, “We must show the world that we are a mature and responsible electorate, capable of conducting ourselves with dignity and decorum.”
Wike expressed appreciation with the president’s recent assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026.
He described the move as a demonstration of the administration’s commitment to free, fair and transparent processes.
“Democracy has always been a work-in-progress due to the evolving democratic process. However, we will keep getting better by always looking into the Electoral Act with a view to strengthen the process,” he added.
The minister encouraged a massive turnout at the polls to elect leaders who will drive development. “My dear residents, I urge you to make your voice heard. Come out on Saturday and vote for candidates of your choice. Our prayer as an administration is that the elections will facilitate the emergence of quality leaders that will contribute meaningfully to development, peace and prosperity in the FCT,” he added.
