Voting in the FCT area council elections is calm and orderly, but late openings, vote buying, and accessibility gaps remain.
Abuja – The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room says voting in the 2026 FCT Area Council elections has been largely peaceful, with orderly conduct reported across polling units.
According to Mma Odi, Co-Convener, Situation Room observers and partner groups including KDI, CLEEN Foundation, and Inclusive Friends Association, most voters were calm, queues are forming in Kuje, Kwali, Gwagwalada, and Abaji, and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) is performing efficiently with about a one-minute accreditation time per voter.
However, the group noted some late openings due to delayed INEC staff and materials, particularly in AMAC, while some voters struggled to locate moved polling units despite receiving INEC text alerts.
Minor incidents were reported: two BVAS malfunctions in Gwako, Gwagwalada, and a voter carrying a cutlass in PU JSS Giri II, swiftly handled by security personnel. Vote buying was observed in multiple units, sometimes openly for up to N10,000.
The Situation Room also flagged accessibility gaps for persons with disabilities, including missing braille ballot guides and magnifying glasses in several units, though the Form EC30E for the deaf was mostly available.
On a positive note, security personnel were professional and courteous, party agents were present across many units, and INEC’s FCT Help Desk promptly addressed issues as they arose.
The Situation Room urged stakeholders and security agencies to maintain calm and professionalism through the close of polls and collation.
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