Breaking: INEC releases FCT Area Councils election timetable

By Laraba Ajibda

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued the time table and schedule of activities for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils elections.

The Commission stated that the activities of the elections will commence from April 1st 2021 leading to 12th February, 2022.

In a statement made available to CAPITAL POST on Wednesday in Abuja by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye Esq said, “the commission met on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 and deliberated on a wide range of issues including the issuance of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the conduct of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils Election.

“The three-year tenure of the Six (6) Chairmen and 62(Sixty-two) Councillors will expire in May 2022.

“The FCT is the only part of the country where INEC is responsible for the conduct of Local Government elections.

“By virtue of Section 108(1) & (3) and 113(1)(a) &(b) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) election into all Area Councils shall be held on the same date and time throughout the Federal Capital Territory.

“This shall take place not earlier than one hundred and fifty (150) days before and not later than thirty (30) days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of that office.”

Okoye said, “Furthermore, by section 113 of the Electoral Act, an Area Council shall stand dissolved at the expiration of a three (3) year period, starting from the date the Chairman took the Oath of Office, or when the legislative arm of the Council was inaugurated whichever is earlier.”

According to him, “the Chairmen and Councillors of the Area Councils were elected on the 9th March 2019 and sworn in on the 19th May 2019 and by paragraph 10 of the Commissions Guidelines and Regulations“, where the end of the tenure of FCT Area Council does not coincide with a general election year, the election to the office of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Councillors of the Area Councils shall hold on Saturday closest to 100 days to the end of the tenure of the elected officials of the Area Councils.”

“In the exercise of the powers conferred on it by the Constitution, the Electoral Act and all other powers enabling it in that regard, the Commission has fixed 12th February 2022 as the date for the conduct of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils Election. Consequently, the Commission hereby issues the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election”, Okoye said.