The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted elections on Saturday, February 21, 2026, into six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) including Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali, with 68 seats contested, including six chairpersons and 62 councillors.
A preliminary observation report by the LockedIn Gen Z Team, supported by Yiaga Africa, highlights concerns over low voter turnout, incidents of vote-buying and operational lapses in parts of the exercise.
The report, issued by Team Lead Monique Bello, says 11 observers were deployed across the six area councils with a Situation Room activated for real-time monitoring.
According to the team, INEC figures cited in the report shows 1,680,316 registered voters in the FCT, with 1,587,025 PVCs collected.
A total of 637 candidates from 17 political parties contested the elections across 2,818 polling units.
Operational Delays and Logistical Issues
Observers reports that INEC officials arrived between 7:00am and 8:30am in about 46 per cent of polling units monitored, while others recorded delays until between 8:30am and 11:00am.
Accreditation and voting generally started within that timeframe, though some units concluded early due to low turnout.
The report describes INEC officials as competent in operating BVAS machines, but some ad-hoc staff were unfamiliar with documentation procedures for observers and party agents.
“Delays in some locations, including Apo, were linked to logistical challenges”.
Security Presence and Compliance
It notes that security personnel were present in most polling units, with agencies including the Police, Road Safety Corps, Correctional Service, Civil Defence and Immigration coordinated effectively through out the exercise.
However, the observers flagged the presence of armed vigilantes in parts of Gwagwalada and Wuse as inconsistent with electoral guidelines.
Low Turnout in Urban Centres
The report recorded generally low turnout in many urban and semi-urban communities. At Apo Polling Unit 156 in AMAC, just over 100 voters were recorded out of more than 1,000 registered.
Turnout was relatively higher in some rural communities, while youth and Gen Z voters accounted for about 60 per cent of participants in polling units observed.
“Only about five of the 17 parties contesting had a full complement of agents present in polling units monitored”.
Vote-Buying Reports
Observers reported incidents of vote-buying in Bwari, Gwagwalada and Wuse, with party agents identified as key facilitators.
Despite these issues, the election process was largely peaceful, with only minor disputes reported and quickly resolved.
Call for Reforms Ahead of 2027
The LockedIn Gen Z Team urged stakeholders to address low turnout, vote-buying and operational lapses ahead of future elections.
It also calls for sustained peace during collation and final declaration of results, noting that lessons from the exercise should inform preparations for the 2027 general elections.
About the Author
