Voting is underway across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as residents participate in the 2026 Area Council elections, with security agencies deployed across polling units and reports of logistical delays, low turnout in some areas, and early results beginning to emerge.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is conducting the election across six area councils and 2,800-plus polling units, with over 1.5 million registered voters expected to decide chairmanship and councillorship positions.
Mixed start across councils
While election materials reportedly arrived early in parts of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), allowing some polling units to commence accreditation on time, voting in Kuje Area Council began slowly due to the late arrival of officials, leaving early voters waiting.
INEC, however, maintained that the process was progressing smoothly in several locations, noting strong voter turnout in some AMAC polling units.
Meanwhile, low voter turnout was a defining feature of the polls in Gwarimpa, where participation remained strikingly poor despite the presence of electoral officials and materials. By midday, only 18 out of 1,464 registered voters had cast their ballots, reflecting widespread voter apathy, possible distrust in the process, or logistical challenges discouraging residents from showing up. The situation mirrors a broader pattern of weak civic engagement observed in parts of the Federal Capital Territory, raising concerns about public confidence in local elections and the effectiveness of voter mobilisation efforts.
Security agencies move to prevent malpractice
Security presence was heightened across the territory, with the police confirming large deployments and additional reinforcements ordered by the Inspector-General of Police to ensure peaceful conduct of the election.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) also deployed operatives across the councils to monitor the polls and deter vote buying and other electoral offences.
Despite these measures, election observers reported allegations of vote buying in some AMAC polling units, alongside isolated disputes between party agents that required police intervention.
Early results begin to emerge
Preliminary results from individual polling units have begun to trickle in. At Polling Unit 076 in Wuse Zone 4, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) secured seven votes, defeating the All Progressives Congress (APC), which recorded two votes, in what observers described as an early breakthrough for the opposition coalition.
Officials and stakeholders monitor process
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, was seen visiting polling locations to monitor the exercise, while major political parties established situation rooms to track voting and collation across the territory.
The elections are regarded as highly significant in the FCT, where area councils remain the closest tier of elected government responsible for local services such as roads, sanitation, healthcare, and primary education.
Background
The last FCT area council elections were held in 2022 and produced a split outcome between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APC, underscoring the competitive nature of local politics in the nation’s capital.
Results are expected to continue emerging as voting and collation progress across the territory.