Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu on Wednesday announced February 21, 2026 as the tentative date for the conduct of the chairmanship and councillorship elections into the six Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory.
Speaking at the first meeting of the commission with leaders of the registered political parties, Prof. Yakubu also asked political parties to begin preparation for the conduct of party primaries for the Anambra governorship election.
Prof. Yakubu said the notice of elections for the Area Council polls will be published on February 26, 2025 in line with the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act.
He said: “Even as we prepare for the Anambra State Governorship election, we are always mindful of our responsibilities for other elections and electoral activities.
“For instance, Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 requires the Commission to issue the notice for elections not later than 360 days before the date of the election. This applies to the General as well as off-cycle elections.
“As you are aware, the commission is responsible for the Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the only part of the country where INEC conducts local government election. The last Area Council election in the FCT was held on 12 February 2022. By the effluxion of time, the tenure of the current Chairmen and Councillors ends next year.
“Consequently, the Commission has approved that the 2026 Area Council election in FCT will hold on Saturday 21st February 2026. Voting will take place in all the designated Polling Units across the 68 constituencies to elect the six Area Council Chairmen and 62 Councilors.
“In compliance with the mandatory legal requirements, the notice for the election will be published next month i.e. 26th February 2025. Party primaries will be held from 9th –30th June 2025. The candidate nomination portal will open from 9.00am on 21st July 2025 to 6.00pm on 11th August 2025.
“The final list of candidates will be published on 22nd September 2025. Campaign in public by political parties will commence on 24th September 2025 and end at midnight of Thursday 19th February 2026”.
Source;(TheNation)
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