Abuja, February 21, 2026 – The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, on Saturday expressed strong satisfaction with the ongoing Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, describing the process as orderly, efficient, peaceful, and a positive benchmark for Nigeria's democratic journey.
Amupitan, who personally monitored voting at multiple polling units in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), spoke to journalists shortly after his observations. He highlighted the seamless performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the high level of voter participation, and the overall calm atmosphere as key strengths of the exercise.
"You can see by yourself that the election is orderly and very efficient. The election is peaceful and those are the indices of a good election," Amupitan stated. "So far, the efficiency of the BVAS is high and I am very satisfied because the BVAS are working effectively and efficiently. From what I have seen and heard from the presiding officers, it takes about less than five seconds to even accredit a voter."
The FCT Area Council elections, held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, involved 1,680,315 registered voters across 2,822 polling units in the six Area Councils: Abaji, Abuja Municipal (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali. Voters elected six Chairmen (and their Vice-Chairmen) along with 62 Councillors representing 68 constituencies. A total of 570 candidates contested the positions, making it a significant grassroots electoral event in Nigeria's capital territory.
The polls, which opened at 8:30 a.m. and were scheduled to close at 2:30 p.m., marked the first major electoral assignment for Prof. Amupitan since assuming office as INEC Chairman in October 2025. INEC had earlier released the timetable and schedule of activities, with preparations including stakeholder engagements, mock accreditations, and warnings against vote-buying to ensure credibility.
Amupitan commended the voter turnout, attributing it to growing public awareness of the importance of participating in local governance. "You can see a lot of people here and they are conducting themselves well," he observed at one polling unit. He noted the presence of adequate security, with reports of about 30 personnel at some locations maintaining order without incident.
Addressing a reported incident of alleged harassment of a journalist by security agents, the INEC Chairman assured that the commission prioritized the safety and access of accredited media and observers. "I am only aware that there was one journalist that was arrested and immediately we intervened. The Chief Press Secretary and some people spoke to the police and the person was immediately released unmolested," he explained. "We have taken every measure to ensure that nobody is molested. Accredited journalists and observers are granted access to the places they are supposed to be. We have not withdrawn any accreditation."
While acknowledging minor logistical challenges—such as delays in the arrival of election materials and ad hoc staff at a few polling units early in the day—Amupitan said 99 percent of polling units had opened by 10:30 a.m. The commission monitored developments in real-time from its situation room to resolve issues promptly and ensure all eligible voters could participate.
The INEC Chairman reiterated the commission's commitment to electoral integrity, promising that results would be transmitted electronically to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) in line with legal requirements. "The voices of Nigerians will be heard this time around. The BVAS, as far as I am concerned, is working very well," he affirmed. He added that insights from the FCT polls would inform improvements for the 2027 general elections, underscoring the exercise as a vital test of grassroots democracy.
The elections occurred amid a backdrop of heightened expectations for transparency, following INEC's recent enhancements to BVAS, including features for electronic verification of result sheets. Observer groups, such as the Centre for Transparency Advocacy, had welcomed these upgrades prior to the polls.
Some reports noted isolated frustrations among voters, including difficulties locating polling units due to recent delineations, but overall assessments from INEC and on-ground monitoring pointed to a largely smooth process. Security agencies, including the police and other forces under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), maintained a visible but non-intrusive presence.
As voting concluded and collation began, stakeholders expressed hope that the peaceful conduct would bolster public confidence in INEC's preparations for future national polls. Prof. Amupitan's on-the-spot evaluation reinforced the commission's narrative of progress in technological deployment and process management.
The FCT Area Council elections, unique because INEC directly conducts them (unlike state-managed local polls elsewhere), serve as a barometer for democratic health in the nation's capital. With results expected in the coming days, the exercise is seen as a stepping stone toward more inclusive and credible elections nationwide.
