FCT polls to start 8:30am as scheduled – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured voters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that Saturday’s Area Council elections will begin promptly at 8:30am as provided in its guidelines.

Speaking on Friday during an interview on Arise Television, the Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity, FCT INEC, Samuel Bassey, reiterated the commission’s preparedness for the exercise.

The election is holding today, February 21, 2026, with INEC maintaining that it is fully set to deliver a free, fair and credible process across the six area councils.

“I guarantee and assure FCT voters that the polls will commence at 8:30am as stipulated,” he said.

Bassey explained that sensitive and non-sensitive materials, along with electoral personnel, were moved to designated locations overnight to avoid delays at polling units.

He added that the proactive step was designed to curb the issue of late commencement, stressing that the commission has taken concrete measures to ensure voting begins at the officially approved time.

According to him, the arrangements put in place have substantially addressed, if not completely eliminated, the challenge of delayed opening of polling units.