By Nkechi Eze
As residents of the Federal Capital Territory head to the polls for the crucial Area Council election, the Electoral Hub has called on all stakeholders to uphold the sanctity of the democratic process, warning that the credibility of grassroots governance and public confidence in elections now hangs in the balance.
In an official statement signed by its Director, Princess Hamman-Obels, the organisation described the February 21, 2026 election as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic evolution, stressing that it presents an opportunity to reinforce electoral accountability, inclusion, and transparency.
She said the election represents a critical juncture that demands reflection on lessons from recent electoral exercises, including the Anambra State governorship poll, while setting firm expectations for improved conduct, transparency, and institutional responsibility in the FCT.
The group emphasised that the FCT Area Council election occupies a unique and influential position in Nigeria’s electoral architecture because it is the only local government election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, unlike other states where such elections are handled by State Independent Electoral Commissions.
According to the Electoral Hub, this distinctive status makes the poll a national benchmark and testing ground for electoral innovation and integrity at the grassroots, noting that the processes and standards implemented by INEC will serve as a reference point for improving the credibility of local government elections across the country.
The organisation highlighted that the 2026 election marks a historic milestone with the deployment of INEC’s Electronic Collation System, which uses the electronic EC88A form for the collation and transmission of results. It described the innovation as a major technological leap designed to safeguard transparency and reduce manipulation in the results management process.
The statement noted that under the new system, results upload will only be permitted when both manual and electronic entries correspond, while a specialised software will detect discrepancies, block uploads where accredited voter figures do not match, and provide an additional layer of protection against electoral fraud.
While welcoming the innovation, the Electoral Hub urged INEC to ensure robust technical backup systems and maintain full transparency, stressing that the process must remain open to scrutiny by party agents, observers, voters, and the general public.
Demonstrating its own commitment to electoral accountability, the organisation disclosed that it has deployed 53 observers across all six area councils of the FCT. The observers, comprising accredited and citizen monitors, will track the entire electoral cycle, including pre-election preparations, election day conduct, and post-election developments.
It said its observers will monitor compliance with legal frameworks, logistics deployment, performance of ad-hoc staff, voter participation among women, youths, and persons with disabilities, the collation and declaration of results, and any incidents of vote trading, violence, or procedural violations.
Princess Hamman-Obels stressed that credible elections require more than efficient management by the electoral body, noting that democratic outcomes are shaped by a complex interplay of political, social, economic, and institutional factors.
She emphasised that responsibility for electoral integrity extends beyond INEC to include political parties, candidates, security agencies, the judiciary, the legislature, and citizens.
The Electoral Hub warned that electoral integrity must remain paramount, calling on INEC to operate transparently, ensure strict compliance with guidelines, and promptly investigate and sanction any misconduct to preserve public trust.
It also challenged political parties and candidates to prioritise issue-based campaigns that address pressing grassroots challenges such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, waste management, security, and local economic development, rather than resorting to divisive or superficial rhetoric.
The organisation further called on security agencies to maintain strict neutrality and professionalism, urging them to protect voters from intimidation and violence and ensure a peaceful electoral environment across the territory.
It stressed the importance of compliance with the Electoral Act, particularly provisions prohibiting campaigns within 24 hours of the election, noting that respect for electoral laws is fundamental to democratic credibility.
The group also underscored the importance of post-election accountability, urging eventual winners to govern inclusively and prioritise policies that promote development and unity across both urban and rural communities.
Reaffirming the central role of citizens, the Electoral Hub urged residents to participate actively and peacefully in the election, stressing that elections remain the most powerful instrument through which citizens shape governance and hold leaders accountable.
It emphasised that the legitimacy of government derives from the freely expressed will of the people and warned that any process that undermines that principle threatens the foundation of democracy itself.
The organisation concluded by urging all stakeholders to commit to a transparent and credible process that reflects the true will of the people, insisting that the outcome of the election must stand as a genuine expression of democratic choice and not a product of manipulation or institutional failure.
