The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set for its first major electoral exercise under the newly signed Electoral Act 2026, as it conducts the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections alongside bye-elections in Rivers and Kano states this Saturday.

The polls are widely seen as a critical test-run ahead of the 2027 general elections.

FCT Polls: 1.68 Million Voters Expected

INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, SAN, disclosed that the FCT elections will involve 1,680,315 registered voters across 2,822 polling units in the six Area Councils.

The commission will simultaneously conduct bye-elections in:

• Ahoada East II and Khana II State Constituencies (Rivers State)

• Kano Municipal and Ungogo State Constituencies (Kano State)

The FCT elections are particularly significant because they are the only local government-level polls directly conducted by INEC.

Key Reforms Under the 2026 Electoral Act

The 2026 Electoral Act introduces notable reforms that INEC must implement in real time, including:

• Statutory entrenchment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS)

• Legal backing for the Election Results Viewing Portal (IReV)

• Strengthened transparency and result transmission procedures

These provisions are expected to enhance credibility, transparency, and real-time accountability in the electoral process.

Wike Declares Work-Free Day, Movement Restricted

Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, announced a work-free day to enable residents to participate fully in the elections.

He also confirmed that President Bola Tinubu approved a restriction of movement across the FCT from 8:00 p.m. on February 20 to 6:00 p.m. on February 21, 2026.

According to Wike, the measures are aimed at ensuring a peaceful and orderly electoral process.

“We must show the world that we are a mature and responsible electorate, capable of conducting ourselves with dignity and decorum,” he stated.

He described the president’s assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026 as a demonstration of commitment to credible elections.

A Strategic Rehearsal for 2027

Political observers view the elections as a strategic rehearsal for the 2027 general elections, particularly in testing:

• Technology deployment (BVAS & IReV)

• Security coordination

• Result transparency mechanisms

• Voter turnout management

With rising public interest and increased scrutiny, INEC’s performance this weekend could shape confidence in Nigeria’s next general election cycle.

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