The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the full list of candidates nominated for the February 21, 2026 Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.
The lists, which include the names and addresses of all nominated candidates, were displayed on Monday at the INEC FCT office by the Administrative Secretary, Bimbo Oladunjoye, on behalf of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Aminu Kasimu Idris. She said the move complies with the Electoral Act 2022, which requires the commission to publish the lists at least 150 days before the polls.
According to INEC, the lists are also available at all its area council offices in the FCT and on the commission’s official website.
Oladunjoye urged political parties that have fielded candidates to carefully scrutinise the published details and report any errors or omissions within the legal window. Under the Electoral Act, such corrections must be submitted within 90 days before the election, signed by the party’s national chairman and secretary, and supported with an affidavit.
She cautioned that parties failing to comply with the provisions will not have grounds to challenge the validity of the polls.
The Area Council elections in the FCT are held every three years, covering six area councils and 62 wards. The elections determine chairmen and councillors who play key roles in local governance, including primary healthcare, market administration and rural development.
The February 2026 polls will be the first area council elections conducted under the current Electoral Act, signed into law in 2022. The law introduced new requirements on candidate nomination, electronic transmission of results, and stricter timelines for political parties and INEC.
INEC officials say preparations are underway to ensure compliance with the legal framework and to maintain transparency.
