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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Tension and anticipation fill Anambra State as voters head to the polls today to elect a new governor under tight security. More than 60,000 security personnel have been deployed across the 21 local councils to safeguard the exercise, which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says will be free, fair, and transparent. INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, reaffirmed the Commission’s full readiness, noting a 98.8% Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection rate-one of the highest in recent Nigerian elections.

This election marks Amupitan’s first major test as INEC Chairman and is expected to shape public trust in the Commission ahead of the 2027 general elections. Over 2.8 million registered voters are eligible to participate, with 16 candidates vying for the state’s top seat. INEC has deployed 6,879 BVAS devices, 24,000 ad hoc staff, and comprehensive logistics to ensure all 5,720 polling units open on time and that results are transmitted transparently.

Civil society groups, however, have cautioned against what they call the “militarisation” of the electoral process, urging security forces to remain professional and non-intimidating. Analysts say the Anambra governorship election will be a critical test of INEC’s credibility, logistics, and ability to inspire voter confidence. A peaceful and credible outcome could boost faith in Nigeria’s democracy, while failure may deepen public scepticism about electoral integrity.

The post Anambra Election: INEC Promises Credible, Peaceful Poll appeared first on Housing TV Africa.