INEC reports 1,680,315 registered voters and full readiness ahead of FCT Area Council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026

The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced that a total of 1,680,315 persons are registered to vote ahead of the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026.

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FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner Malam Aminu Idris disclosed the updated figures on Tuesday at the INEC Forum for Media Executives, Producers, Reporters, and On-Air Personalities in Abuja.

Idris explained that the voters’ register had been revised to improve accuracy and efficiency for the polls.

To decongest large Registration Area Centres, INEC has established sub-RACs in Dutse Alhaji and Kubwa Wards of Bwari Area Council, as well as Gwarinpa and Kabusa Wards of the Abuja Municipal Area Council.

Elections will not be held in four polling units across the FCT due to zero registration.

Idris said that INEC has made significant progress in preparing for the elections, including monitoring party primaries, publishing final candidate lists, receiving non-sensitive materials, activating Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices, and opening portals for observer accreditation and ad-hoc staff recruitment.

The Commission will conduct a mock accreditation exercise in 289 polling units to test voter accreditation, voting, and result-upload technologies.

Idris urged media organisations to support voter education and report accurately to enhance public confidence.

National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Mallam Mohammed Haruna, confirmed that virtually all non-sensitive materials have been acquired and batched across six Area Councils, 62 Wards, and 2,822 polling units.

Printing of sensitive materials, including ballot papers and result sheets, is ongoing and expected to be completed ahead of schedule.

Haruna also assured that sufficient BVAS devices will be deployed to all polling units. He noted that FCT Area Council elections, due to the Territory’s special constitutional status, are conducted similarly to governorship elections in the 36 states.

“The first FCT Area Council election since the 2022 Electoral Act extended council tenure from three to four years will leave no stone unturned to ensure it is free, fair and credible,” Haruna said, urging media support to educate and mobilise eligible voters.

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The remaining pre-election activities include the publication of the Notice of Poll on February 7, the end of political party campaigns on February 19, and the election itself on February 21.