INEC set for first test under Electoral Act 2026 as FCT, Rivers, Kano polls hold Saturday
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will on Saturday conduct the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections and bye-elections in Rivers and Kano states in what is seen as its first major test under the newly signed Electoral Act 2026.
The polls are expected to serve as a litmus test for the new legal framework recently assented to by President Bola Tinubu, particularly provisions strengthening the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the Election Results Viewing Portal (IReV).
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, said the FCT elections will involve 1,680,315 registered voters across 2,822 polling units in the six Area Councils.
In addition to the FCT elections, the commission will conduct bye-elections in Ahoada East II and Khana II State constituencies in Rivers State, as well as Kano Municipal and Ungogo State constituencies in Kano State.
Ahead of the exercise, the Minister of the FCT, Mr. Nyesom Wike, declared Friday a work-free day and announced a total restriction of movement from Friday night to ensure the smooth conduct of the elections.
The 2026 Electoral Act introduces key adjustments, including the statutory entrenchment of BVAS and IReV, which INEC must now implement in real time.
As the FCT elections remain the only local government-level polls directly conducted by INEC, observers regard this weekend’s exercise as a strategic rehearsal for the 2027 general elections.
