The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially announced the commencement of political campaigns for the 2026 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections. This marks a key milestone in the electoral calendar ahead of the February 21, 2026 polls.
The announcement was made via an official statement on Wednesday by Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee.
According to Olumekun, political campaigns are now permitted to begin from Wednesday, September 24, 2025, and will run until midnight on Thursday, February 19, 2026, in accordance with Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Item 8 of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the upcoming election.
“Political parties participating in the 2026 FCT Area Council election are now at liberty to start their electioneering campaigns in public,” the statement reads.
INEC Issues Guidelines for Peaceful Campaigns
INEC emphasized that all political parties, candidates, and supporters must conduct their campaigns within the framework of the law. Specifically, the commission cited Sections 92 and 93 of the Electoral Act, 2022, which prohibit the use of abusive language, physical attacks on opponents and the destruction of campaign materials during rallies, processions, and meetings
INEC further reminded stakeholders that equal access to public facilities for campaigns, advertising, and rallies is a legal right.
“Section 95(2) of the Electoral Act, 2022, prohibits the use of incumbency to confer advantage or disadvantage on any party or candidate,” Olumekun noted
