The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has affirmed its full readiness for the 2026 Federal Capital Territory, FCT Area Council Elections scheduled for February 21, 2026, describing the exercise as a critical benchmark for grassroots Democracy in Nigeria.
The Commission’s Chairman, professor Joash Amupitan who said this during a Stakeholders meeting in Abuja warns of vote trading as he asked Political Parties to keep to the thursday’s election campaign deadline or face prosecution.
Amupitan stresses that conducting credible elections is a collective responsibility, with INEC constitutionally tasked to organize the process while success hinges on the cooperation and legal compliance of all parties involved.
Amupitan appealed to the political parties to act responsibly, disclosing that Security agencies have given assurances that anyone caught exchanging and inducing electorates would be arrested and prosecuted.
While he applead to FCT Residents not to entertain any fear and come out en mass and vote on election day, he says the commission accredited Eighty Nine Domestic and international Observers, Seven Hundred Journalists while adequate training had been provided to ad-hoc staff for credible conduct of the polls.
He added that the Commission has met with transport union Leaders to ensure smooth transfer of election materials and personnel to all Registration Area Centers and polling boots starting from Friday.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye during his presentation says security agencies have identified all black spots and adequately prepared to address emergencies and ensure safety of lives and property before, during and after the Council polls.
In his remarks, the FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner, Aminu Idris says INEC has performed all the proceses leading to the elections by visiting all the Six Area Councils to access the level of preparedness for the election.
Other key players including Party Candidates, Inter Party Advisory Council, Civil Society organizations, National Orientation Agency and the Traditional Institutions advised INEC to keep to the rules, regulations and Laws guiding the conduct of Elections to ensure transparency and credibility.
(Editor: Ada Ononye)
