What We Saw at the Polls: SPCB's Observation of the FCT Area Council Elections

📅 February 21, 2026 — Election Day

📍 Federal Capital Territory, Abuja

On February 21, 2026, Abuja residents went to the polls to elect councillors and chairmen for the FCT’s six area councils. For many communities in the territory, these are the closest elections to their daily lives — the people chosen would govern local roads, markets, schools, and land disputes.

The Society for Peace and Capacity Building (SPCB) deployed observers to polling units across the FCT. This is our honest account of what we saw: what went well, what concerned us, and what we are recommending to INEC, candidates, and civil society organisations working in this space.

The Atmosphere at the Polls

Security personnel were deployed to most polling units we observed, often arriving before INEC officials and voters. Multiple agencies were represented — the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Nigeria Immigration Service — and observers noted commendable inter-agency coordination and professionalism across locations.

INEC officials arrived at polling units between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon, with accreditation and voting commencing in most locations by 10:00 a.m. The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) functioned effectively in the majority of observed polling units — minor technical delays were recorded in parts of Kwali Area Council, but these were promptly resolved. Overall, the process was credible. The concern was not how people voted. It was how many did not come at all.

Why Were People Staying Home?

Through field observations and direct conversations with voters, our observers identified several contributing factors to the low turnout across the FCT:

Many voters perceive Area Council elections as less consequential than state or national elections. Inadequate voter education by INEC and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) left many residents unaware of when — and where — to vote. Economic pressures, work commitments, and the timing of the election during both Ramadan and Lent added further barriers. Concerns about insecurity in specific areas kept some voters home. And in several locations, late arrival of election materials reduced the window for participation.

The polling unit relocation issue deserves particular attention. When a voter arrives at a location they have always voted from, only to find that their polling unit has moved — without being properly informed — the system has failed them. This is not voter apathy. This is a preventable breakdown in communication.

Collation Extended Into the Night

At the collation centre at PW Phase 3 Primary School, Kubwa, Bwari Area Council, results uploaded from polling units were physically delivered for cross-verification by Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs). Some party agents signed result sheets following verification.

The collation process extended into the night. While generators and rechargeable lamps were used to provide lighting, inadequate illumination posed operational challenges that affected transparency and efficiency. Basic infrastructure at collation centers must be improved before the next election cycle.

Key Findings

Our observers documented the following across the polling units we visited:

⚠ Concern

Low Voter Turnout — Especially in AMAC and Bwari

Low turnout was observed across multiple polling units including PUs 42 and 149 in City Centre, PU 0118 in Jabi Upstairs II, PU 059 near Conoil Filling Station in Kado, and PUs 051 and 064 in Usuma Ward, Bwari.

⚠ Concern

Polling Unit Relocations — Voters Left Uninformed

Voters reported arriving at locations they had always voted from, only to find their polling unit had moved — without adequate prior communication. This is not voter apathy. It is a preventable breakdown in INEC’s communication systems.

✓ Positive

Peaceful Process — No Violence or Disruption Recorded

No incidents of voter inducement, violence, ballot snatching, or systemic disruption were recorded in any polling unit observed. Security agencies showed commendable inter-agency coordination throughout the day.

→ Notable

Non-State Security Actors Present in Some Units

Private security operatives were observed at certain polling units. Under INEC regulations, only officially authorised agencies may operate within polling units. This compliance issue must be addressed before future elections.

SPCB's Recommendations

To INEC — on logistics: Strengthen planning to ensure timely arrival of personnel and materials across all polling units. Late commencement reduces participation time and undermines voter confidence.

To INEC — on communication Improve systems to prevent confusion over polling unit locations. When relocations must occur, communities must be informed in advance through multiple channels — radio, community leaders, and direct signage.

To INEC— on compliance: Enforce strict rules regarding the presence of only authorised security personnel at polling units. The observation of private security operatives at some units is a regulation breach that must be addressed.

To INEC — on collation infrastructure: Ensure adequate lighting and power backup at all collation centres. Results verification extending into the night without proper illumination is an avoidable transparency risk.

To NOA and Civil Society Organisations: Intensify civic and voter education using community radio, grassroots outreach, and digital platforms — not only during election season. Develop targeted strategies for youth and urban voters, where apathy appears most pronounced.

FCT Elections 2026
Election Observation
Peacebuilding
Abuja
AREA COUNCIL
VOTER TURNOUT
Civic Engagement
INEC

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