FCT Council Elections: CSOs flag rigging flashpoints, demand instant results upload

A coalition of more than 70 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) pushing for credible elections has called for the real-time upload of results from the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections scheduled for Saturday.
Operating under the banner of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, the group warned against vote trading and expressed concern over identified hotspots where voter safety and ballot integrity could be compromised.

In a preliminary statement issued to journalists, the Situation Room disclosed that several rigging flashpoints and security risks were identified following a strategic meeting between the National Peace Committee (NPC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on February 10. These risks, it said, are spread across different Area Councils.
The group highlighted the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) as having “high risks of vote buying and political intimidation, particularly in urban centres where competition is fiercest.” It also identified Gwagwalada as vulnerable due to “potential indigene-settler tensions and the presence of political thuggery.”
The CSOs urged INEC to demonstrate its commitment to transparency by ensuring 100 percent real-time upload of Form EC8A results to the IReV portal. They also stressed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) must operate optimally to avoid the delays experienced during previous local elections.
“Situation Room remains mindful of the persistent and historical challenge of voter apathy in the FCT, particularly in urban councils like AMAC.
“We recall with deep concern that in the 2022 FCT Area Council elections, out of the 1,373,492 registered voters at the time, the total voter turnout in AMAC was an abysmally low 5.09 percent.
“Situation Room maintains that local government elections, especially in the nation’s capital, should set the gold standard for transparency. However, when citizens feel that the law does not guarantee transparent transmission of their votes — a sentiment now worsened by the failure to mandate real-time electronic transmission of results in the 2026 Act — it reinforces disillusionment.”
The coalition also referenced the announcement by the FCT Minister declaring Friday, February 20, 2026, a work-free day with presidential approval, alongside a restriction of movement from 8 p.m. on Friday to 6 p.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
It noted that the movement restriction contradicted the earlier announcement by the FCT Police Command, which traditionally enforces restrictions from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on election day.
“This is the usual practice and is done so as not to completely shut people out from carrying out their duties,” the statement added.
While acknowledging the deployment of security personnel across the FCT, the Situation Room cautioned them to remain neutral.
“We call on the FCT Commissioner of Police to take charge of security to ensure free movement for those on election duty and to prevent vote buying, which has become recurrent in recent off-cycle elections.
“Security agents must remain non-partisan and prioritise the protection of voters, observers and INEC officials.
“Operationally, while we note INEC’s commitment to conduct an efficient exercise and deploy BVAS machines across all 2,822 polling units, the effectiveness of this technology is limited if the final output is not secured through mandatory electronic transmission to the IReV portal.”
The group further appealed to eligible voters to participate peacefully in the elections.
“We urge all FCT residents to remember that vote trading is illegal and undermines democratic development. Voters must resist the temptation to exchange their votes for money or inducements, as their future welfare depends on the choices they make.
“We enjoin all stakeholders to approach this election with a sense of responsibility and utmost respect for democratic standards,” the statement concluded.
The statement was jointly signed by the Convener of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, Mr. Yunusa Z. Ya’u, and Co-Conveners Mma Odi and Celestine Odo.