The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally begun preparations for the 2026 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections, setting the stage with a strategic implementation meeting focused on voter education, inclusivity, and broad civic participation.
The meeting, held on Wednesday in Abuja, brought together key stakeholders from INEC’s Voter Education and Publicity (VEP) Department, the Gender and Inclusivity (G&I) Department, Electoral Officers, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
Representing the FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Malam Aminu Idris, the Administrative Secretary, Abimbola Olagundoye, described the gathering as the official take-off point for INEC’s sensitisation and engagement activities ahead of the February 2026 polls.
According to her, the collaboration is essential for boosting turnout across the FCT’s 2,822 polling units, 62 Registration Areas, and six Area Councils.
Olagundoye stressed the need for coordinated and constructive voter enlightenment, urging partners to pool expertise and resources to deliver clear, non-violent, and impactful civic messaging.
In her remarks, the Director of the Gender and Inclusivity Department, Lakunuya Dorathy Bello, underscored the importance of aligning with INEC’s timelines, noting that precision at this stage is key to achieving high-quality electoral engagement.
Also speaking, the Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, reviewed INEC’s voter education platforms and called for timely media registration once the accreditation portal opens. She reiterated that only accredited journalists will be permitted to cover the election.
The State Director of the National Orientation Agency, Acharu Opaluwa, reaffirmed NOA’s readiness to support the Commission, highlighting the agency’s extensive grassroots structures as tools for widespread sensitisation.
The meeting concluded with two technical sessions led by heads of INEC divisions, who outlined practical strategies for delivering robust voter education and inclusivity campaigns ahead of the February elections.
