FCT Council Elections: INEC Tests Accreditation Process

A simulated accreditation and voting exercise was conducted throughout the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Saturday by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in anticipation of the Area Council elections on February 21, 2026.

Prior to the polls, the exercise was intended to evaluate INEC’s operational preparedness, test new enhancements, and increase election officials’ capacity.

Speaking to Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO) trainees during a Train-the-Trainers session, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN) advised participants to properly familiarize themselves with the commission’s official training handbook and to take the exercise seriously.

“This is a highly interactive event. Amupitan stated that the handbook was created to guarantee consistency between all area councils and that it is not just about what you are taught, but also about your comprehension of what is being taught.

Nigeria urgently requires a genuine and stable electoral process, he emphasized, reminding the trainees of their statutory duties and warning against compromise.

He said INEC is still dedicated to restoring public confidence through field testing, simulations, and rigorous training.

In a field evaluation of the simulated exercise, the INEC chairman was pleased with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System’s (BVAS) performance, calling it a “game changer” in Nigeria’s election process.

“This is essentially an election-related readiness test. Our primary concern is the BVAS’s functioning. “We do not wish to use the primary election as a test run,” he stated.

Amupitan clarified that the simulated poll offered a chance to evaluate the gadget and its latest improvements in an election-like setting.

According to him, the mechanism worked effectively, avoiding double voting and double accreditation.

He said that attempts to re-accredit a voter who had already cast their ballot were promptly identified and blocked by the system, expressing his satisfaction with the BVAS’s great performance thus far.

In order to further reinforce transparency, he said that party agents were present and that results papers were properly signed, just as in a genuine election.

Amupitan stated that despite the anticipated presence of civil society observers, the mock poll nevertheless produced insightful comments and functioned as a platform for voter sensitization.

It seems like a really worthwhile practice based on what I’ve observed. He added, “We are also using this to raise awareness and encourage people to cast ballots on February 21.”

The chairman gave an update on INEC’s readiness, revealing that all batches of non-sensitive materials had been deployed, training was in progress, and presiding officers would start training the following week.

All of the systems that have been tested thus far, he continued, are operating correctly.

Amupitan acknowledged ongoing worries about voter indifference but said INEC was stepping up its efforts to educate locals about the election and expressed hope that turnout will increase.

Regarding difficulties in satellite and rural towns, especially those pertaining to the network, he promised that backup plans had been established.

The chairman of INEC stated that the matter is still before the National Assembly regarding the electronic transmission of results and asked for patience while the legislative process proceeds.

“The process of passing laws is still going on. The two chambers will work together harmoniously. “Let us avoid creating needless tension,” he urged.