The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reiterated plans to conduct the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections on February 21, 2026, and has cleared additional political parties to participate in the contest while preparations intensify across the territory.
The commission, which is responsible for organising local government elections in Abuja’s six area councils, also announced that two new political parties have been registered to take part in the polls alongside existing parties cleared to contest.
This development follows INEC’s ongoing continuous voter registration and revision of the voters’ register, which has seen the number of eligible voters in the FCT rise to more than 1.6 million ahead of the election.
In recent engagements, INEC has met with factions of major political groups, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to address organisational concerns ahead of the polls.
Amid preparations, INEC has also clarified its stance on party participation after controversy surrounding the exclusion of Labour Party (LP) candidates from the electoral race, citing issues with accreditation and compliance requirements.
The inclusion of newly registered parties marks a significant expansion of the political field for the upcoming area council elections. INEC’s confirmation of additional parties reinforces its commitment to broadening democratic participation at the grassroots level in the FCT.
INEC’s preparations — including stakeholder meetings, voter education, and logistics planning — are ongoing, with the commission urging citizens to participate actively in the electoral process as election day approaches.
