The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it is fully prepared for the February 21, 2026, Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The FCT Administrative Secretary of Independent National Electoral Commission, Abimbola Oladunjoye, gave the assurance during an interview on Arise Television on Monday.
She said the commission had completed almost all preparations for the polls and was confident that the election would be conducted smoothly across the six Area Councils of the FCT.
“We are very ready for the election come Saturday, 21 February, 2026. We have virtually done everything we need to do for the election,” Oladunjoye said.
Oladunjoye explained that INEC had already received all non-sensitive materials required for the election. These materials include ballot boxes, voting cubicles, result sheets, and other items that do not contain security features.
She added that the materials had been sorted, packaged and distributed to the six Area Councils in the FCT.
“Right now, we have received all our non-sensitive materials. Everything has been bagged and sent to all Area Councils,” she said.
According to her, the next major step is the collection of sensitive materials from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Sensitive materials include ballot papers and other documents that are protected because of their importance to the credibility of the election. These materials are usually kept at the Central Bank for security reasons until a few days before the poll.
Oladunjoye said the commission would move to the CBN by Thursday to collect the materials and transport them directly to the Area Councils under tight security.
“Towards Thursday, we shall go to the CBN and get our sensitive materials and move them straight to the Area Councils,” she said.
The FCT INEC boss also disclosed that staff had been trained for the exercise. She said electoral officers, ad hoc staff and other officials had undergone the necessary training to ensure they understand their roles and responsibilities.
She further revealed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines had been configured and tested.
The BVAS is an electronic device used by INEC to verify voters using their fingerprints and facial recognition. The system was introduced to improve transparency and reduce electoral fraud.
Since its introduction during recent general elections, BVAS has played a major role in strengthening voter accreditation and limiting multiple voting.
Oladunjoye said the voter register for the FCT elections had also been printed and distributed to relevant locations.
All these steps, she noted, show that INEC is prepared and committed to delivering a credible election.
The FCT Area Council elections are held to elect chairmen and councillors who manage local administration in the territory. Unlike states in Nigeria that have local government areas, the FCT is divided into six Area Councils — Abuja Municipal, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Bwari, Abaji and Kwali.
These councils are responsible for grassroots governance, including primary healthcare, basic education, sanitation, and community development.
The elections are important because they determine who will lead at the local level and influence development projects that directly affect residents.
Over the years, local council elections in Nigeria have attracted attention due to concerns about voter turnout, logistics and transparency. INEC’s assurance of readiness is therefore aimed at building public confidence.
INEC has in recent years faced increasing scrutiny over election management across the country. Challenges such as late arrival of materials, malfunctioning devices and security concerns have been raised by political parties and civil society groups.
In response, the commission has been working to improve logistics and deploy technology to reduce errors.
Security agencies are also expected to play a key role in ensuring a peaceful process on election day. Police officers and other security personnel will be stationed at polling units and collation centres to maintain order.
Oladunjoye did not mention specific security arrangements but said INEC was working closely with relevant authorities to ensure the safety of staff, materials and voters.
As preparations enter the final stage, attention is now shifting to voter participation. Residents of the FCT who have valid Permanent Voter Cards are expected to turn out on Saturday to elect their preferred candidates.
Political parties have been campaigning in the Area Councils ahead of the election, presenting their candidates and manifestos to voters.
With sensitive materials set to be moved from the CBN and all logistics reportedly in place, INEC says it is ready to deliver a smooth and credible election on February 21.
All eyes will now be on the commission as voters head to the polls on Saturday.
