ABUJA – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed its total readiness to conduct the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026.
In a briefing held at the commission’s headquarters on Tuesday, officials announced that all critical arrangements have been finalized to ensure a hitch-free exercise across the six area councils. The commission revealed that a total of 1,680,315 registered voters are expected to participate in the polls, which will take place across 2,822 polling units.
According to the FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner, the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to newly registered voters and those who applied for transfers has been concluded. To ensure technical efficiency, the commission has also completed the training of ad-hoc staff, including Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers, on the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
“We have reached the final stages of our roadmap,” an INEC spokesperson stated. “Non-sensitive materials have already been moved to the various Area Council offices, while sensitive materials are being secured for final deployment in the presence of party agents and security agencies.”
Security has also been ramped up across the territory. The FCT Police Command, in collaboration with other sister agencies, has reportedly mapped out flashpoints to prevent any breakdown of law and order during the voting process.
Voters in Abaji, Abuja Municipal (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali will be heading to the polls to elect chairmen and councillors who will lead the local administrations for the next four years.
With the 2,822 polling units set to open at 8:00 AM on Saturday, the commission has urged residents to turn out in their numbers, assuring the public that the IReV portal will be used to upload results in real-time to maintain transparency.
