Janet Salihu
The Electoral Hub, a civil society organisation focused on electoral governance and accountability, has called on all stakeholders to uphold integrity, transparency and peaceful conduct ahead of the February 21, 2026 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections. The group urged political parties, candidates, security agencies, civil society groups and voters to commit to a credible electoral process that reflects the will of the people.
“As we prepare to vote on February 21, 2026, The Electoral Hub remains committed to promoting electoral knowledge, accountability, inclusion and integrity, and calls on all stakeholders to work collectively towards an outcome that truly represents the will of FCT residents,” the organisation said in a pre-election statement issued on Friday.
The organisation noted that the FCT Area Council election occupies a unique position in Nigeria’s electoral framework, as it is the only local government election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), unlike other states where State Independent Electoral Commissions oversee such polls. It described the election as a benchmark for subnational elections nationwide, attracting significant domestic and international attention.
The Electoral Hub also highlighted the historic deployment of INEC’s Electronic Collation System (E-Collation) for the election, describing it as a major step toward enhancing transparency in results management. The system, which uses electronic EC88A forms and automated discrepancy detection software, is designed to block uploads where figures do not tally, thereby reducing opportunities for result manipulation.
As part of its observation efforts, the organisation disclosed that it would deploy 53 accredited and citizen observers across the six area councils in the FCT. The observers will monitor compliance with electoral laws, security presence, participation of women, youth and persons with disabilities, ad-hoc staff performance, results collation and post-election conduct of stakeholders.
The group outlined key expectations for the election, including the need for INEC to prioritise transparency, accountability and real-time monitoring of irregularities. It also urged candidates to engage in issue-based campaigns that address challenges such as infrastructure deficits, security, healthcare, education, waste management and revenue generation.
The Electoral Hub further called on security agencies to remain neutral and ensure a peaceful electoral environment before, during and after the polls. It emphasised adherence to electoral laws, including the prohibition of campaign activities within 24 hours to election day, and urged political actors to respect legal and ethical standards.
On post-election governance, the organisation urged winning candidates to prioritise unity, inclusivity and development, stressing that elected officials should focus on policies that promote economic growth, education, healthcare and infrastructure across both urban and rural communities in the FCT.
Reaffirming democratic principles, the organisation stressed that the outcome of the election must reflect the will of the voters, in line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Nigeria’s constitutional provisions on freedom of expression. It called for unimpeded access for election observers and encouraged voters to participate peacefully and make informed choices.
