INEC, security agencies brace for FCT polls
…mock accreditation exercise holds February 7
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stepped up preparations for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections scheduled for February 21, 2026, alongside other key electoral activities ahead of the 2027 General Election.
This was made known by the commission in a post on its X handle on Friday.
Speaking on Day 3 of the Commission’s 2026 Regular Stakeholders’ Meeting with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan described 2026 as a critical electoral year that demands enhanced security coordination, intelligence sharing and stronger inter-agency collaboration to guarantee peaceful and credible polls.
INEC disclosed that major preparations for the FCT elections have been concluded. These include the delivery of non-sensitive materials, training of electoral and security personnel, configuration of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices, and a mock accreditation exercise slated for February 7, 2026.
The National Security Adviser and ICCES Co-Chair, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, represented by the Director of Internal Security, Abdullahi Hassan, commended security agencies for their professionalism during the Anambra Governorship Election. He assured Nigerians of comprehensive security deployment for upcoming elections.
Similarly, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by Commissioner of Police Abayomi Shogunle, reaffirmed that the Nigeria Police Force would ensure extensive deployment for all elections and maintain round-the-clock protection for INEC personnel, facilities and materials nationwide.
Beyond the FCT polls, the Commission announced plans to conduct bye-elections in Rivers and Kano States, off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States, as well as a nationwide voter revalidation exercise aimed at strengthening the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
