The FCT Area Council Elections Proceed Orderly, Efficiently, and Peacefully, Says INEC Chairman

 

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has commended the conduct of the ongoing Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, describing the process as orderly, efficient, and peaceful.

Speaking to journalists after monitoring voting at various polling units across the FCT, Prof. Amupitan expressed satisfaction with the overall organization and atmosphere of the exercise. He highlighted the effective performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), noting that the machines had functioned efficiently with no major hitches reported.

“You can see for yourself that the election is orderly and very efficient. The election is peaceful, and those are the indices of a good election,” the INEC Chairman stated. He added, “So far, I can say that the election is well organised. The election is peaceful from the calm atmosphere you have seen.”

The polls, taking place across the six Area Councils—Abaji, Abuja Municipal (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali—involved thousands of voters electing chairmen and councillors. Reports from multiple polling units indicated smooth accreditation and voting, with security personnel ensuring compliance and order.

Prof. Amupitan's assessment aligns with observations from election observers and stakeholders, who have also praised the BVAS performance and the absence of violence. While voter turnout varied across locations—lower in some urban areas typical of off-cycle elections—the process has been largely incident-free, reflecting improvements in electoral logistics and preparation.

The INEC Chairman reassured Nigerians that the commission remains committed to a credible outcome, with results expected to be transmitted electronically via the IReV portal for transparency.

As voting continues and collation begins, the peaceful conduct has been hailed as a positive step toward strengthening democratic processes in the FCT and beyond.