FCT Poll: Amupitan Tasks INEC Staff On Restoring Public Confidence

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has declared that the Commission is fully prepared for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Election slated for February 21, 2026, urging personnel to rebuild public trust through exemplary conduct.

Amupitan gave the assurance yesterday after leading a high-level assessment tour of facilities in Kuje, Gwagwalada, and Bwari Area Councils.

He was accompanied by nine National Commissioners, the Acting Director-General of the The Electoral Institute (TEI), technical aides and selected directors of the Commission.

Speaking with journalists, the INEC Chairman said the visit was aimed at physically verifying claims of readiness ahead of the poll.

“We must begin to redeem our image through what we do, not necessarily what we say,” he stated. “From the reports given to us and what we have verified, I am quite satisfied.”

According to him, reports submitted by the Electoral Officers (EOs) showed strong operational preparedness, with one Area Council scoring 100 per cent readiness, another 99.9 per cent, while Kuje recorded 90.8 per cent.

Amupitan explained that beyond reviewing documents, he personally inspected the storage facilities to ascertain the availability and condition of election materials.

“All the materials have been batched. The non-sensitive materials are ready. I personally went inside the stores to confirm that everything is in place,” he said. “The level of preparation leaves no room for excuses on election day.”

Electoral Officers ,Mr. Yakubu Allawa of Kuje, Mr. Bola Abdullahi of Gwagwalada and Mrs. Gloria Adebayo-Stephen of Bwari, reaffirmed their readiness for the exercise.

They reported that all non-sensitive materials were already batched and that the Commission had provided the necessary administrative and logistical support to deliver a credible poll.

They added that staff across the councils were motivated and determined to “raise the bar of credibility” in the FCT election, with training of ad hoc staff concluded and deployment plans finalised. Collaboration with security agencies, they said, had also been strengthened.

The Chairman commended the INEC FCT Office management team for “effective coordination,” particularly the decentralisation of operations to the Area Council level , a move he described as an example of administrative efficiency.

He stressed that real readiness would be measured on election day through early activation of Registration Area Centres (RACs), prompt deployment of personnel and materials, and timely commencement of accreditation and voting at 8:30am.

On security, he called for robust deployment, especially in identified flashpoints, to safeguard voters, materials and election officials.

He also emphasised proper result management, reminding staff that results must be counted and announced at polling units, captured in designated forms and transmitted promptly to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

Responding to speculations, the INEC Chairman dismissed claims that the Commission was experimenting with electronic result transmission.

“Since 2022, we have been transmitting results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal,” he said. “The BVAS is capable of accreditation and transmitting results.

Definitely, the results will be transmitted.”
Prof. Amupitan further reminded staff of their oath of neutrality and the need to uphold professionalism and integrity throughout the process.

As part of pre-election engagements, the INEC Chairman is scheduled to meet with political parties, civil society organisations, security agencies, the media and other key stakeholders today, February 18.
The FCT Area Council Election ,the only local government election conducted directly by INEC , remains a benchmark for State Independent Electoral Commissions nationwide.

The Commission has reiterated its commitment to delivering a free, fair, credible and inclusive election reflective of the will of FCT residents.

End.