INEC chair promises electronic transmission of results
Results of Saturday’s Federal Capital Council (FCT) Area Council elections will be transmitted electronically to the INEC Result Viewing (I-REV) portal in accordance with the newly signed Electoral Act 2026.
Results of Saturday’s Federal Capital Council (FCT) Area Council elections will be transmitted electronically to the INEC Result Viewing (I-REV) portal in accordance with the newly signed Electoral Act 2026.
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Joash Amupitan gave the assurance during a stakeholders meeting in Abuja yesterday.
About 1,680,315 registered voters will participate in the poll, which will be held in 2,822 polling units across the six councils in the capital territory.
Movements will be restricted for 12 hours(6 am to 6 pm) on the day of the poll by security agents.
Eleven thousand eight hundred and seventy three officials will supervise the elections in which Julius Adamu, one of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) candidates, withdrew from and declared his support for Joshua Musa of the All Progressives Congress(APC).
No fewer than 570 candidates are to contest as chairmen and vice-chairmen. At the meeting, the INEC chairman restated his commitment to transparency during the poll and reminded the stakeholders that the conduct of credible elections is a shared responsibility.
Amupitan said: “The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System(BVAS) has been upgraded and will be deployed in all 2,822 polling units across the FCT for voter accreditation, and results will be uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing(I-Rev) Portal in accordance with established procedures.
“All the required BVAS devices for the polling units, including those for the 195 split polling units, as well as the additional five per cent backup, have been thoroughly tested and fully charged for deployment on election day.
“To further strengthen public confidence, the commission conducted a mock accreditation exercise using the improved BVAS in 289 polling units across the FCT. The outcome of that exercise was satisfactory, and we are confident in the effectiveness and reliability of the system for this election.
‘’Polling units are expected to open promptly at 8.30 a.m.
“This election will involve 1,680,315 registered voters who will cast their ballots in 2,822 polling units spread across the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory, namely Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali. A total of 570 candidates is contesting 68 constituencies for the positions of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen as well as 62 Councillorship seats, comprising 10 wards each in five Area Councils and 12 wards in the Abuja Municipal Area Council.
“These figures underscore the scale of the exercise and the responsibility placed upon all of us to ensure its success.’’
He warned against vote buying during the exercise, saying that INEC was working closely with the police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to ensure that anyone who committed illegality was arrested.
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“It is important to note that the FCT Area Council Election remains the only local government election conducted by INEC. Over the years, it has become a reference point for Local Government elections conducted by State Independent Electoral Commissions, particularly because of the diversity reflected in its outcomes.’’
He called on the candidates and party leaders to prevail on their supporters to act responsibly by respecting the rules and allowing the will of the people to prevail.
Bwari PDP chairmanship candidate steps down for APC
PDP Chairmanship candidate for Bwari Area Council, Adamu, who stepped down and declared support for APC’s Musa, said his decision was a result of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike’s interventions in the area.
Adamu said: “I am standing here to tell you that I have been in deep consultation with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. And I have concluded that Joshua and I are brothers.
“It will not be nice for two brothers to kill themselves over one office. Therefore, I have decided to support Hon. Joshua.
“I urge all my supporters to also support Joshua to win this election.”
The FCT Minister told the people of Bwari that if they support the APC candidate, he ‘’ will do more roads in Bwari.’’
“Let nobody make any mistake on Saturday, come out and make sure that Joshua wins the election,” Wike enjoined them.
12-hour movement restriction
FCT Commissioner of Police Miller Dantawaye has charged all officers and men deployed for the polls to maintain the highest level of professionalism and ensure adequate security coverage at all the polling units and collation centres.
Dantawaye, in a statement by the Command’s Spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said: “The public is hereby informed that there will be a restriction of movement across the FCT from 6 am to 6 pm on February 21, 2026, except for essential service providers and election officials.
‘’Consequently, FCT residents are urged to cooperate fully with security personnel and comply with security operations guidelines during this period.
“The command also enjoins all residents to remain law-abiding and come out to exercise their civic responsibility peacefully and without fear, as adequate security measures have been put in place.
“Members of the public are also encouraged to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious persons or activities to the Police through the following emergency numbers: 08032003913, 08061581938.”
