FCT Council election: INEC conducts mock accreditation
INEC Conducts Mock Accreditation Ahead of Upcoming Elections
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted a mock accreditation and voting exercise on Saturday across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), a preparatory step for the Area Council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026.
The exercise aimed to evaluate INEC’s operational readiness, test new upgrades, and enhance the capabilities of election officials in advance of the polls.
During a Train-the-Trainers session for Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO) trainees, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN) emphasized the importance of the exercise. He encouraged participants to engage deeply with the commission’s training manual, which is designed to ensure consistency across all area councils.
“This is very interactive. It is not just about the instruction, but also about your comprehension of the material,” Amupitan noted. He underscored the statutory responsibilities of the trainees and the necessity for integrity, asserting that Nigeria requires a credible and stable electoral process.
Amupitan reiterated INEC’s commitment to restoring public trust through comprehensive training, simulations, and field testing. Following a field assessment of the mock exercise, he expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), calling it a “game changer” for the electoral process in Nigeria.
“This exercise is to test our preparedness ahead of the election. Our focus is on the functionality of the BVAS; we do not want to use the main election as a trial run,” he stated.
The mock election served as a venue to evaluate both the BVAS and its recent enhancements under simulated conditions. Amupitan reported that the system effectively prevented double accreditation and multiple voting attempts, stating, “So far, I am very satisfied that the BVAS has worked excellently well.”
He highlighted that party agents were present and results sheets were duly signed, mirroring real election conditions to reinforce transparency. While civil society observers were expected to attend, the mock poll still provided valuable feedback and functioned as a platform to raise voter awareness.
“This is a significant exercise. We are also using this to mobilize voters to participate on February 21,” Amupitan added.
Regarding INEC’s preparedness, he noted that all batches of non-sensitive materials had been dispatched, ongoing training initiatives were in place, and presiding officers would begin their training next week. He confirmed that all tested systems were functioning satisfactorily.
Amupitan acknowledged ongoing concerns about voter apathy but expressed optimism about improved turnout, stating that INEC is intensifying efforts to engage residents regarding the upcoming election.
He addressed challenges faced in rural and satellite communities, particularly those related to network accessibility, assuring that contingency measures had been established.
On the matter of electronic transmission of results, Amupitan confirmed that it remains under consideration by the National Assembly and urged patience while the legislative process unfolds. “The law-making process is ongoing. There will be harmonization between the two chambers. Let us not create unnecessary tension,” he said.
