Reporting by Premium Times indicates that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has entered a state of high alert as residents prepare to elect new chairmen and councillors across the six area councils today, February 21, 2026. Security agencies have implemented a near-total restriction on vehicular movement to prevent any disruption of the democratic process, deploying thousands of personnel to polling units and critical infrastructure.
The exercise is being closely monitored as a litmus test for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its updated electronic transmission systems. In preparation for the vote, the Nigerian government authorized a joint security task force comprising the military and police to enforce order.
Authorities have warned that only vehicles on essential duties or with official permits will be allowed on the streets during the designated voting hours.
This election is particularly significant as it represents the first major electoral test following recent legal reforms. Voter turnout is expected to be high despite the stringent security measures, as residents seek local leadership capable of addressing infrastructure and safety concerns within the capital territory.
This development is further corroborated by The Punch, which noted that “over 1.6 million voters are expected to participate across the six area councils.”
Similarly, Channels TV reported on the readiness of the commission, stating that “INEC has completed a successful mock accreditation exercise and is confident about being ready for the polls.”
Echotitbits take:
The FCT area council elections are a crucial bellwether for Nigeria’s electoral integrity heading toward the 2027 general elections.
The heavy security presence aims to deter the violence that has marred previous local polls, but the restriction of movement may inadvertently impact voter turnout if logistics aren’t handled smoothly.
Watch for the performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and how quickly results are uploaded to the IReV portal.
Source: Facebook – https://web.facebook.com/inecnigeria/posts/fctdecides20266-area-councils62-wards-2822-polling-units-pus-1680315-registered-/1328161162670273/?_rdc=1&_rdr#, February 21, 2026
Photo credit: Facebook
