The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed allegations that voters were relocated to different polling units during Saturday’s Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In a statement issued by its Acting Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Wilfred Ifogah, the Commission made it clear that no registered voter was transferred from their original polling unit.
INEC clarified that ahead of the polls, it introduced split polling units in centres with more than 1,250 registered voters to ease overcrowding on election day. It explained that these additional units were created just a few metres from the original polling points and remained within the same premises.
The Commission recalled that the Register of Voters was displayed at designated centres and split polling units four days before the election to allow voters verify their information and polling locations. It also revealed that between February 18 and February 21, text messages and emails were sent to affected voters as reminders, specifying the locations of their assigned split polling units.
While acknowledging that some voters encountered difficulties finding their designated polling units on election day, INEC noted that its Election Operations Dashboard showed that 45 per cent of polling units had commenced operations by 8:30am, with all units fully operational by 10:00am.
Addressing voter turnout, the Commission expressed concern about apathy but pointed out that participation improved compared to the 2022 Area Council elections. It reported that more than 239,210 voters took part in the 2026 exercise, representing about 15 per cent of the 1,680,315 registered voters in the FCT. This marked an increase from the 148,685 voters, or 9.4 per cent, recorded in 2022.
INEC also explained that the delay in declaring results for Kuje Area Council, which were eventually announced at 3:30pm on Sunday, was caused by the challenging terrain of Kabi ward, which slowed the final collation process.
The Commission thanked residents of the FCT for maintaining peace and cooperating throughout the electoral exercise.