INEC CONDUCTS MOCK ACCREDITATION TO TEST READINESS AHEAD OF FCT AREA COUNCIL POLLS

INEC CONDUCTS MOCK ACCREDITATION TO TEST READINESS AHEAD OF FCT AREA COUNCIL POLLS

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday conducted a mock accreditation and voting exercise across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as part of preparations for the upcoming Area Council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026.

The exercise, which took place in selected polling units within the FCT, was aimed at assessing the commission’s operational readiness and evaluating the performance of election personnel and voting technology ahead of the polls.

Speaking during a “train-the-trainers” session for Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs), INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN), said the mock exercise was designed to strengthen the capacity of election officials and ensure uniform application of procedures during the election.

He urged the trainees to take the exercise seriously and adhere strictly to the official operational manual prepared by the commission to guide election conduct across all area councils.

According to the INEC chairman, the training process was deliberately structured to be interactive in order to deepen participants’ understanding of their responsibilities and ensure consistency in election administration.

Amupitan reminded the SPOs of their statutory duties, stressing that they play a critical role in safeguarding the credibility of the electoral process. He cautioned against compromise, noting that Nigeria urgently requires a stable and transparent electoral system.

INEC, he said, remains committed to restoring and strengthening public confidence in elections through adequate training, simulations, and field testing of its systems.

As part of the preparations, the commission also conducted a live simulation of accreditation and voting to test the functionality of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which Amupitan described as a key technological tool in Nigeria’s electoral process.

Speaking to journalists during an on-the-spot assessment of the exercise, the INEC chairman expressed satisfaction with the performance of the BVAS, noting that the device successfully prevented double accreditation and multiple voting during the simulation.

He explained that the mock poll provided an opportunity to test recent upgrades to the system in a controlled environment, rather than during the main election.

Amupitan further disclosed that non-sensitive election materials had already been deployed, while training for presiding officers would commence in the coming days. He added that all systems tested so far were functioning satisfactorily.

Addressing concerns about voter apathy, the INEC chairman expressed optimism that turnout would improve, assuring residents that the commission was intensifying voter education and awareness ahead of the February 21 election.

On possible challenges in rural and satellite communities, particularly regarding internet connectivity, Amupitan said INEC had put contingency measures in place, including offline functionality and delayed uploads once devices regain network access.

He also clarified that discussions on electronic transmission of results remain ongoing at the National Assembly, urging the public to avoid unnecessary tension while the legislative process continues.

Following the exercise, Amupitan, alongside national commissioners, the FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner and other stakeholders, toured several polling units across the FCT to observe the mock accreditation and voting process.