Results of Saturday’s Federal Capital Council (FCT) Area Council elections will be transmitted electronically to the INEC Result Viewing (I-REV) portal in accordance with the newly signed Electoral Act 2026.
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Joash Amupitan gave the assurance during a stakeholders meeting in Abuja yesterday.
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About 1,680,315 registered voters will participate in the poll, which will be held in 2,822 polling units across the six councils in the capital territory.
Movements will be restricted for 12 hours(6 am to 6 pm) on the day of the poll by security agents.
No fewer than 570 candidates are to contest as chairmen and vice-chairmen. At the meeting, the INEC chairman restated his commitment to transparency during the poll and reminded the stakeholders that the conduct of credible elections is a shared responsibility.
Amupitan said: “The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System(BVAS) has been upgraded and will be deployed in all 2,822 polling units across the FCT for voter accreditation, and results will be uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing(I-Rev) Portal in accordance with established procedures.
“All the required BVAS devices for the polling units, including those for the 195 split polling units, as well as the additional five per cent backup, have been thoroughly tested and fully charged for deployment on election day.
“To further strengthen public confidence, the commission conducted a mock accreditation exercise using the improved BVAS in 289 polling units across the FCT. The outcome of that exercise was satisfactory, and we are confident in the effectiveness and reliability of the system for this election.
‘’Polling units are expected to open promptly at 8.30 a.m.
“This election will involve 1,680,315 registered voters who will cast their ballots in 2,822 polling units spread across the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory, namely Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali. A total of 570 candidates is contesting 68 constituencies for the positions of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen as well as 62 Councillorship seats, comprising 10 wards each in five Area Councils and 12 wards in the Abuja Municipal Area Council.
“These figures underscore the scale of the exercise and the responsibility placed upon all of us to ensure its success.’’
He warned against vote buying during the exercise, saying that INEC was working closely with the police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to ensure that anyone who committed illegality was arrested.
“It is important to note that the FCT Area Council Election remains the only local government election conducted by INEC. Over the years, it has become a reference point for Local Government elections conducted by State Independent Electoral Commissions, particularly because of the diversity reflected in its outcomes.’’
He called on the candidates and party leaders to prevail on their supporters to act responsibly by respecting the rules and allowing the will of the people to prevail.