Group Lists Lapses In INEC Preparations For FCT Polls

A group, Advocacy for Growth and Development in Sustaining Leadership Initiative, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently fix logistics lapses ahead of the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections slated for Saturday, February 21, 2026

The group made the request after monitoring the INEC mock accreditation exercise conducted on Saturday, February 7, 2026, in Bwari and Kwali area councils.

Speaking during a one-day Election Observation Strategy Clinic held at WSG Hills Brize Hotel on Ushafa Jigo Road, Bwari, the group’s convener, Comrade Rasheed Shuaib, described the development as a major threat to credible polls.

Shuaib said the absence of election materials and officials in more than seven polling units during the mock exercise pointed to serious lapses that must be addressed before the main election.

He said, “The absence of materials in over seven units during a mock exercise is a red flag that must be resolved before the February 21 polls.”

The convener also expressed concern about delays at the Bwari Area Council office, warning that such bottlenecks could erode public confidence in the electoral process.

He urged INEC to provide adequate security and operational support for election observers and voters, particularly in Kwali and Bwari area councils.

According to him, the group’s monitoring team discovered a total absence of INEC ad-hoc staff and election materials at several polling units, including Nomadic Polling Unit, Kukwaba 1 at Kukwaba Market, Kubwa Village at Byazhin Junction, Kwali Bongo Primary School, Kwali Health Centre and Pilot Primary School 2 in Kwali.

Shuaib further said that major delays were recorded in some polling units where accreditation commenced behind schedule.

He said the Bazango/Kofar Sarki polling units, covering Units 001, 002 and 003, began the mock accreditation at about 9:30 am, while Ushafa 1/2 Primary School started at approximately 9:35 am.