THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed allegations that voters were reassigned to new polling units during Saturday’s Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), stressing that no registered voter was relocated from their original voting centre.
In a statement issued by the Acting Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Wilfred Ifogah, the Commission explained that it introduced split polling units in locations where registered voters exceeded 1,250.
The measure, it said, was designed to ease overcrowding and improve the voting process.
According to INEC, the additional units were created just a few metres from the existing polling centres and within the same premises.
The Commission noted that the voters’ register was displayed at designated centres and at the newly created split units four days before the election to allow residents confirm their details and voting locations.
It also revealed that between February 18 and February 21, affected voters received text messages and emails notifying them of the exact locations of their assigned split units.
INEC acknowledged that some voters encountered difficulties locating their polling units on election day.
However, data from its Election Operations Dashboard showed that 45 per cent of polling units had commenced operations by 8:30 a.m., with all units confirmed open by 10:00 a.m.
While expressing concern over low voter turnout, the Commission reported a higher participation rate compared to the 2022 Area Council elections.
It stated that more than 239,210 voters cast their ballots in the 2026 exercise, representing about 15 per cent of the 1,680,315 registered voters in the FCT.
This marks an increase from the 148,685 voters, or 9.4 per cent, recorded in 2022.
INEC further clarified that the delayed declaration of results in Kuje Area Council announced at 3:30 p.m. yesterday was caused by the challenging terrain in Kabi ward, which slowed the final collation process.
The Commission commended residents of the FCT for maintaining peace and cooperating with officials throughout the electoral process.
