FCT Polls, Bye-Elections to trial new electoral law

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 key bye-elections in Rivers and Kano states this Saturday.

The polls are widely regarded as a litmus test for the amended law recently assented to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

INEC Chairman, Prof. 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.

Simultaneously, the commission will conduct bye-elections in Rivers State for the Ahoada East II and Khana II State constituencies, and in Kano State for the Kano Municipal and Ungogo State constituencies.

A key feature of the 2026 Electoral Act is the statutory backing of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the Election Results Viewing Portal (IReV), reforms aimed at strengthening transparency and credibility. Observers view the FCT exercise — the only local government elections directly conducted by INEC — as a strategic rehearsal ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Meanwhile, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has declared Friday a work-free day to enable residents travel to their communities and participate in the elections.

In a broadcast delivered by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike also announced a restriction of movement across the FCT from 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 20, to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2026. Security agencies have been directed to ensure strict compliance.

The minister urged residents to conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly at the polls, describing the elections as a crucial opportunity to shape the future of the territory.

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

He also commended President Tinubu for signing the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026 into law, describing it as a step toward strengthening democratic processes.

Encouraging a high voter turnout, Wike added: “Come out on Saturday and vote for the candidates of your choice. Our prayer, as an administration, is that the elections will facilitate the emergence of such quality leaders that will contribute meaningfully to development, peace and prosperity in the FCT.”