INEC Sets Date for 2026 Area Council Elections in Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially announced the Notice of Polls for the upcoming Area Council Elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026.

The elections will begin promptly at 8:30 am across all polling units in the FCT.

INEC emphasised that only eligible voters with valid Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), whose names are registered on the voter roll, will be allowed to cast their ballots. To enhance the integrity of the electoral process, the commission confirmed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) will be used for voter accreditation.

In a statement released on Wednesday, INEC clarified that voters must ensure they possess their PVCs before the election day. The notice further outlined that voters will only be permitted to vote at their designated polling units, where they are registered.

The elections will cover the six Area Councils in the FCT, and INEC made it clear that any voter without a PVC will not be allowed to vote, emphasizing that “No PVC, no voting.”

INEC’s use of the BVAS technology will also help in enhancing transparency and credibility during the election process. As the election date approaches, the commission urges all registered voters in the FCT to verify their details on the voter register and ensure they have their PVCs ahead of the election day.