INEC Reaffirms Readiness for FCT Polls, Seeks CSOs Support

INEC Reaffirms Readiness for FCT Polls, Seeks CSOs Support

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Josh Amupitan, has reaffirmed the Commission’s readiness to conduct credible elections, beginning with the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council polls scheduled for February 21, 2026.

Amupitan gave the assurance on Wednesday in Abuja while addressing Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) at INEC’s first quarterly consultative meeting for the year, describing the engagement as timely as electoral activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 General Election.

He noted that although the year was already in February, 2026 would be busy for all electoral stakeholders, stressing the importance of sustained dialogue and collaboration with CSOs in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.

“This gathering is a critical opportunity for us to foster dialogue, share insights, and collaboratively navigate the electoral landscape as we prepare for the future of our democracy in Nigeria,” the INEC chairman said.

Reflecting on recent activities, Amupitan recalled that barely two weeks after assuming office, the Commission successfully conducted the Anambra State off-cycle governorship election in November 2025, involving candidates from 16 political parties and over 2.8 million registered voters across 5,718 polling units.

He said the election was conducted with openness, accountability and strict adherence to the law, while also highlighting the deployment of sign language interpreters as part of efforts to deepen inclusivity.

Turning to the FCT Area Council elections, Amupitan disclosed that 1,680,315 registered voters are expected to vote across 2,822 polling units in the six Area Councils of Abaji, AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali.

According to him, the election will feature 570 candidates contesting chairmanship, vice-chairmanship and councillorship positions, adding that most activities on the election timetable have already been completed.

On preparations, the INEC chairman said non-sensitive materials had been delivered and batched at Area Council offices, while recruitment and training of ad hoc staff were ongoing. He added that BVAS devices were being configured, with sensitive materials to be delivered a day before the polls.

“A credible register of voters remains the bedrock of free, fair and transparent elections. No electoral process can command public confidence without trust in the integrity of its voters’ register,” he said.

Amupitan also announced that INEC would embark on a nationwide voter revalidation exercise ahead of the 2027 General Election to address challenges such as duplicate and underage registrations, as well as the inclusion of deceased persons on the voters’ register.

He further disclosed that the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise had recorded over 2.7 million new registrants so far, assuring that registration data were being published weekly on the Commission’s website for transparency.

The INEC chairman urged CSOs to support voter education, PVC collection in the FCT and the monitoring of political party activities, particularly campaigns, while cautioning against hate speech, vote-buying, misinformation and violence.

He assured that the timetable for the 2027 General Election had been finalised in line with the Constitution and the Electoral Act, while appealing for support toward the speedy amendment of the Electoral Act by the National Assembly.