Our Reporter, Abuja
The 2026 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections were largely peaceful but characterised by late openings of polling units, vote buying and low voter turnout, election monitoring group Yiaga Africa has said.
In its preliminary statement on Saturday, the group said its observers were deployed across the six area councils and 62 wards to monitor the polls conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Overall, the election was conducted in a largely peaceful atmosphere. Voters who presented themselves at polling units were afforded the opportunity to exercise their franchise without widespread disruption,” Yiaga Africa stated.
However, it noted that “voter turnout was generally low, with most polling units recording poor turnout.”
The group reported delayed commencement of voting in several locations, particularly in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
“As of 9:00 a.m., set-up activities were still ongoing in the majority of polling units observed,” it said, adding that accreditation and voting in many units only began around 10:00 a.m.
Yiaga Africa also cited logistical gaps, including the late arrival of materials and the absence of the voter register at a polling unit in Wuse Ward, which was only produced after concerns were raised.
On voter redistribution, the group said reassignment to newly created polling units without timely notice caused confusion.
“The lack of timely and effective communication generated confusion at several polling locations,” it said, warning that the lapses “may have resulted in voter disenfranchisement.”
The observers further reported early closure of some polling units before the official 2:30 p.m. deadline and heavy security presence that, in some cases, restricted access to polling units.
Yiaga Africa said the “persistent menace of vote buying once again manifested during the election,” noting that incidents were documented in several polling units despite prior assurances from INEC and security agencies.
The group urged INEC to ensure that Form EC60E is posted at polling units and that results sheets (Form EC8A) are uploaded to the IReV portal using BVAS to enhance transparency.
“This measure is critical to strengthening transparency, building citizens’ trust in the election management process and reducing suspicion of manipulation,” it stated.
Yiaga Africa said it would continue to monitor the collation process and release further findings.
