The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to conduct a comprehensive mock accreditation and results upload exercise as part of preparations for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections slated for Saturday, February 21, 2026. The mock exercise, according to the commission, is designed to test critical components of the electoral process and ensure a smooth, transparent, and credible election.
In a statement signed by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the FCT, INEC disclosed that the exercise will hold on Saturday, February 7, 2026, across 289 selected polling units within the territory. The exercise is scheduled to run between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., mirroring the timing and operational conditions of a typical election day.
INEC explained that the mock accreditation is a standard pre-election activity aimed at evaluating the functionality of voter accreditation devices, particularly the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), as well as the efficiency of the results upload process to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV). By simulating real election conditions, the commission said it hopes to identify and address any technical or logistical challenges ahead of the actual polls.
“The objective of the mock exercise is to ensure a hitch-free Area Council election by testing our accreditation procedures and results upload process,” the commission stated. “It provides an opportunity to fine-tune our systems and enhance the preparedness of both INEC personnel and voters.”
INEC encouraged registered voters in the selected polling units to actively participate in the exercise by turning out with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). The commission stressed that voter participation is crucial to the success of the mock exercise, as it allows INEC to assess not only the performance of its technology but also voter awareness and responsiveness.
According to the commission, participation in the mock exercise does not affect voting rights during the main election, as no actual votes will be cast or counted. Instead, the process is strictly a simulation intended to test systems and procedures. INEC assured voters that the exercise is safe, transparent, and solely for preparatory purposes.
To ensure transparency and accessibility, INEC announced that the full list of the designated polling units selected for the mock exercise has been published on its official website. Residents of the FCT are encouraged to check the list to confirm whether their polling units are included.
Reaffirming its commitment to credible elections, INEC assured residents of the Federal Capital Territory of its readiness to conduct a free, fair, and successful Area Council election on February 21, 2026. The commission said all necessary preparations, including logistics, personnel deployment, voter education, and stakeholder engagement, are being intensified in the lead-up to the polls.
Beyond the mock accreditation exercise, INEC is also strengthening coordination with security agencies to guarantee a peaceful and secure electoral environment. As part of these efforts, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission is currently holding a high-level security meeting with members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
The meeting marks the culmination of a series of engagements the commission has held with key stakeholders since the beginning of the week. According to INEC, these consultations are intended to align strategies, clarify roles, and reinforce inter-agency collaboration ahead of forthcoming elections.
INEC disclosed that the security meeting is aimed at briefing security agencies on upcoming electoral activities, including the FCT Area Council elections and the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled to hold in June 2026. The commission emphasized that early and detailed engagement with security stakeholders is essential to preventing violence, intimidation, and other electoral malpractices.
Speaking at the meeting, the INEC Chairman underscored the importance of robust security planning to safeguard voters, election officials, observers, and election materials before, during, and after the polls. He noted that credible elections cannot take place in an atmosphere of fear or insecurity, stressing the need for professionalism and neutrality on the part of security personnel.
The meeting is attended by representatives of major security institutions, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Office of the National Security Adviser. The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, are both represented at the engagement, signaling the high-level attention being given to election security.
In addition to general security concerns, the INEC Chairman specifically called on security agencies to intensify efforts to monitor and curb vote buying and selling, which he described as a growing threat to the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process. He urged security operatives to enforce existing laws strictly and to work closely with INEC officials to identify and address electoral offences promptly.
INEC reiterated that the success of the 2026 FCT Area Council elections depends on the collective efforts of all stakeholders, including voters, political parties, civil society organizations, the media, and security agencies. The commission appealed to residents of the FCT to cooperate with INEC officials and security personnel, participate peacefully in electoral activities, and uphold democratic values.
As preparations gather momentum, the mock accreditation and results upload exercise is expected to serve as a critical milestone in INEC’s roadmap to the February 21 elections. The commission expressed confidence that lessons learned from the exercise will further strengthen its capacity to deliver elections that reflect the will of the people and reinforce public trust in Nigeria’s democratic process.
