INEC Expresses Satisfaction With Smooth Accreditation, Voter Turnout: FCT Polls

INEC expresses satisfaction with smooth accreditation, voter turnout: FCT Polls. He praised the calm atmosphere and the conduct of both voters and security personnel.

News Agency of Nigeria • February 21, 2026
Joash Amupitan
Joash Amupitan [Credit: Punch Newspaper]
Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections, describing the process as orderly, efficient and peaceful.

Mr Amupitan made this known on Saturday in Abuja while speaking with journalists after monitoring the process at few polling units within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

Mr Amupitan maintained that the performance of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the level of voter turnout were positive indicators for the country’s democratic process.

He highlighted the speed of the accreditation process, noting that the BVAS technology had significantly reduced waiting times for voters.

“You can see by yourself that the election is orderly and very efficient. The election is peaceful and those are the indices of a good election.

“So far, the efficiency of the BVAS is high and I am very satisfied because the BVAS are working effectively and efficiently.

“From what I have seen and heard from the presiding officers, it takes about less than five seconds to even accredit a voter.

“So far, I can say that the election is well organised. The election is peaceful from the calm atmosphere you have seen,” Mr Amupitan said.

He commended the turnout of voters, attributing it to an increased awareness among citizens regarding the importance of participating in the electoral process.

He also praised the calm atmosphere and the conduct of both voters and security personnel.

“You can see a lot of people here and they are conducting themselves well. I learned that there are 30 security personnel that are present here.

“They are also conducting their affairs in an orderly manner. So, we hope that at the close of the poll, we will have a very successful election,” he said.

Addressing a question regarding an incident involving the harassment of a journalist by security personnel, Mr Amupitan said that INEC remained committed to the safety of all accredited personnel.

“I am only aware that there was one journalist that was arrested and immediately we intervened.

“The Chief Press Secretary and some people spoke to the police and the person was immediately released unmolested.

“We have taken every measure to ensure that nobody is molested. Accredited journalists and observers are granted access to the places they are supposed to be. We have not withdrawn any accreditation,” he said.

The INEC boss, however, acknowledged minor hiccups in certain areas, especially the delay in arrival of election materials and ad hoc officials in few polling units, noting that INEC was on top of the situation.

He said that as at 10:30 a.m., 99 per cent of polling units across the FCT had successfully opened and that the commission was monitoring the situation in real-time from the situation room to ensure all eligible voters were attended to.

INEC

Mr Amupitan pledged that the commission would not only ensure that the votes of Nigerians count in the FCT election, but would ensure further improvements, moving forward to the 2027 general elections.

“The voices of Nigerians will be held this time around. The BVAS, as far as I am concerned, is working very well.”

Some of the polling units visited by Amupitan included: PU 016, Area 8, Garki, AMAC, PU 005 LGEA Primary school Garki Village, PUs 001 and 002, 052, Junior Secondary School, Area 1, 007 National Library, Area 2, Garki, AMAC.

The chairman also visited the INEC FCT office, where the deployment of election result collation officers was ongoing.

ADC Expresses Concerne Over Voter Suppression Move: FCT Election

ADC expresses concerne over voter suppression move: FCT Election. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) expresses serious concern over government’s declaration of premature curfew in Abuja ahead of the upcoming elections on Saturday.

The party asserts that government’s decision to impose restrictions on movement a day before the election is a blatant move to suppress voter turnout, having realised that it stood no chance in the election.

While some restrictions on movements on election day may be justified , the conventional practice is for such restrictions to commence at midnight on election day.

We are therefore concerned by the decision of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike to impose a curfew on the FCT from 8pm on Friday. The ADC will therefore like to register our strong objections to this premature restrictions on movement.

ADC

Elections must be conducted in an atmosphere that is not only safe but also visibly free and open to all eligible voters.

Abuja residents must be able to travel safely to their polling units, remain there until the voting process is concluded, and return home without fear of harassment, obstruction, or arbitrary restriction of movement.

Wike Declares Friday Work-Free Day, Imposes Movement Restriction For Area Council Elections

Wike declares Friday work-free day, imposes movement restriction for area council elections. Ahead of the February 21, 2026 Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister Nyesom Wike has declared Friday, February 20, 2026, a work-free day and imposed a movement restriction across the territory from 8:00 pm on Friday to 6:00 pm on Saturday.

The announcements were made in a special broadcast aired on national television and radio stations on Thursday evening.

Mr Wike, with the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said the measures were to enable residents to travel to their communities and participate fully in the elections for chairmen and councillors in the six area councils.

He urged FCT residents to turnout in large numbers to vote, emphasising the need for orderly and peaceful conduct.

“Let us respect the rules, respect each other, and respect the outcome of the election,” the minister said. “We must show the world that we are a mature and responsible electorate, capable of conducting ourselves with dignity and decorum.”

Wike

The minister also commended President Tinubu for signing the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026 into law, describing it as evidence of the President’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections.

Security agencies have been directed to enforce strict compliance with the movement restriction.

The FCT Administration expressed hope that the elections would produce leaders who will contribute meaningfully to development, peace, and prosperity in the territory.