The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday carried out a mock accreditation and voting exercise across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as part of preparations for the upcoming Area Council elections slated for February 21, 2026.
Addressing Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO) trainees during a “train-the-trainers” session, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN) emphasized the importance of the exercise in testing the commission’s readiness and equipping election officials with practical experience.
He urged the trainees to engage fully with the training and study the official manual provided by the commission. “This session is interactive. It’s not just about listening but understanding. Your instructors are here to ensure consistency across all area councils,” Amupitan said.
Highlighting the critical role of election officials, he added, “You are on the ground. What happens in the field reflects on the commission. Do not compromise. Nigeria needs credible and stable elections.”
The INEC chairman described the mock exercise as a way to restore public confidence in the electoral process. “Apart from training, we are conducting this simulation to ensure everything is in place for the FCT Area Council elections,” he said.
During field assessments, Amupitan expressed satisfaction with the functionality of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
The exercise tested operational preparedness, double accreditation prevention, and device upgrades. “The BVAS performed excellently. Even when we simulated a voter trying to vote twice, the system flagged it immediately,” he explained.
He also stressed that the exercise would help mobilize voters and raise awareness ahead of the elections. “We are using this as an opportunity to sensitize citizens and encourage turnout on February 21,” Amupitan said.
Regarding rural and satellite communities with potential network challenges, he assured that backup measures, including hotspot use and automatic results upload, were in place. On concerns about electronic transmission of results, he noted that discussions were ongoing in the National Assembly and urged the public not to panic.
INEC officials, alongside journalists, toured polling units including NIPOST Area 10, Garki; Government Secondary School, Wuse Zone 3; LEA Primary School, Ushafa; and Sagwari Primary School, Dutse, to observe the exercise.
With this mock accreditation and voting exercise, INEC aims to strengthen operational efficiency, enhance election officer training, and build public trust in the electoral process ahead of the FCT Area Council elections.