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The Digest:

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will conduct its first major outing under the newly signed Electoral Act 2026 this Saturday, with FCT Area Council elections and critical bye-elections in Rivers and Kano states serving as a litmus test for the legal framework. INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan confirmed 1,680,315 registered voters across 2,822 polling units in the FCT's six area councils. Simultaneous bye-elections will be held for Ahoada East II and Khana II constituencies in Rivers, and Kano Municipal and Ungogo constituencies in Kano. The 2026 Act introduces statutory entrenchment of BVAS and IReV, making these polls a strategic rehearsal for the 2027 general elections. FCT Minister Nyesom Wike declared Friday a work-free day and ordered movement restriction from 8 pm Friday to 6 pm Saturday, approved by President Tinubu, to ensure smooth conduct.

KEY POINTS

  • The polls serve as a critical test-run for BVAS, IReV, and new electoral provisions ahead of 2027.
  • Success or failure will shape confidence in INEC's ability to manage larger elections.
  • FCT residents and voters in Rivers and Kano gain early experience with the new system.
  • This signals the importance of these elections as a dry run for national polls.
  • The timing, with movement restrictions, prioritises electoral integrity.
INEC deploys 1.68m voters, BVAS, IReV for Saturday's FCT polls and bye-elections, testing Electoral Act 2026 ahead of 2027 general elections.

Sources: Vanguard, INEC, FCT Ministry