The Coalition for Local Election Administration Reform (CLEAR) has called for a strategic partnership with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the Federal Capital Territory to address operational bottlenecks ahead of the February #FCTDecides2026 Area Council elections.
During an advocacy visit to the INEC FCT office yesterday, CLEAR spokesperson Princess Hamman-Obels emphasised that early collaboration is vital to resolving recurring electoral challenges.
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The engagement aimed to identify specific areas where technical support could improve the administration of the polls and the overall experience for voters.
Hamman-Obels noted that the upcoming FCT Area Council elections carry weight far beyond the capital.
She explained that the operational approaches adopted in the FCT often serve as a blueprint for State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) when conducting local government elections nationwide.
A major focus of the coalition is the decongestion of polling units.
CLEAR described overcrowding at polling centres as a persistent issue that erodes voter confidence and slows down election-day operations.
By addressing these logistical hurdles early, CLEAR argues that public trust in the electoral process will be significantly strengthened.
Beyond logistics, the coalition highlighted the necessity of early and sustained voter education.
CLEAR expressed its readiness to assist INEC by disseminating the commission’s prototype jingles and flyers to foster deeper citizen engagement.
In a parallel development, the Youth Empowerment Solutions Initiative (YES) also met with the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the FCT.
The group pledged its support for initiatives designed to increase youth participation and ensure young voters are actively involved in the February 2026 democratic process.
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