FCT Mock Election: INEC Raises Concern Over Low Voter Turnout

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed to eligible voters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to turn out in large numbers and actively participate in this month’s Area Council Election.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, made the call on Monday while monitoring the Commission’s Mock Accreditation and Voting exercise in Abuja.

He expressed concern over the low turnout of voters during the mock election conducted in 289 selected polling units across the six Area Councils of the FCT.
Professor Amupitan stressed the importance of citizens’ participation in Nigeria’s democratic process, noting that elections remain the primary means through which the people choose leaders to represent and protect their interests.
He urged political parties to intensify their campaigns and voter sensitisation efforts to complement INEC’s work and encourage eligible voters to come out and vote in the February 21 Area Council Election.
“INEC will not go about dragging voters to polling units. It is the responsibility of political parties to mobilise and sensitise their supporters to come out on election day and vote for candidates of their choice,” he said.
During visits to polling units in Garki and Wuse within the Abuja Municipal Area Council, as well as Dutse and Ushafa in Bwari Area Council, the INEC Chairman commended the functionality of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) deployed for the mock exercise. He assured that the Commission would do everything possible to ensure a free, fair and credible election in February.
Professor Amupitan explained that senior INEC officials were deployed to all selected polling units to personally assess the effectiveness and performance of the BVAS, allowing for necessary adjustments ahead of the February 21 polls.
According to INEC, a total of 1,680,515 registered voters are expected to vote in 2,822 polling units across the six Area Councils to elect 62 councillors and six chairmanship candidates.
The INEC Chairman also visited some centres where the Commission was conducting training for ad hoc staff in preparation for the forthcoming FCT Area Council Election.