The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to conduct the first practical test of the newly signed Electoral Act 2026 during Saturday’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections and concurrent bye-elections in selected states.
The polls, scheduled for February 21, 2026, come just weeks after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assented to the amended legislation, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s evolving electoral framework.
INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, confirmed that about 1.68 million registered voters are expected to participate in the FCT Area Council elections across 2,822 polling units in the six area councils — Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali.
In addition to the FCT elections, the commission will conduct bye-elections in Rivers and Kano states. In Rivers State, voters will elect representatives for Ahoada East II and Khana II State constituencies, while in Kano State, fresh lawmakers will be chosen for Kano Municipal and Ungogo constituencies.
INEC said the additional polls will provide an opportunity to assess the effectiveness of recent electoral reforms under different political contexts.
To ensure seamless deployment of election technology, the commission has conducted mock accreditation exercises in selected polling units ahead of the vote. It has also warned against vote-buying, stressing that security agencies and anti-corruption bodies will be on standby to enforce compliance with electoral laws.
Meanwhile, the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, declared Friday, February 20, a work-free day to encourage voter participation and approved a restriction of movement from 8 p.m. on Friday to 6 p.m. on Saturday.
Wike urged residents to turn out peacefully and responsibly, describing the elections as an important opportunity for citizens to shape the future of the territory.
