The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa) has commended the largely peaceful conduct of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, despite highlighting significant administrative and operational shortcomings.
In a statement issued by its Election Analysis Centre (CDD-EAC), the organisation said it deployed roving observers to polling units across all 62 wards of the FCT from the early hours of Election Day to monitor the exercise.
The statement, jointly signed by Dauda Garuba, Director of CDD-West Africa, and Professor Victor Adetula, Chair of the Election Analysis Centre, noted that voting concluded in most locations with sorting and counting underway. Preliminary findings, it said, indicate that the election was relatively peaceful but marred by poor coordination that disrupted voter participation in several area councils.
CDD-EAC observers reported multiple cases of last-minute polling unit reassignments without adequate notice to voters.
In several instances, voters arrived at their usual polling units only to discover that their names had been moved to different locations, sometimes outside their immediate communities.
At Polling Unit 055, Ouagadogou Street Ward, Wuse, more than 20 voters were reportedly affected by such changes. The development, observers noted, created confusion and frustration among voters and polling officials.
The situation was compounded by movement restrictions imposed across the FCT on Election Day, limiting the ability of affected voters to locate their new polling units.
CDD warned that the development may have contributed to low voter turnout in some areas and undermined confidence in the election’s administration.
Operational challenges were also observed in several polling units. At PU 004, Wuse Zone 2 Primary School in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), only 504 of 751 registered voters were displayed on the voter register.
Similarly, no voter list was displayed at PU 004, Wowo Nursery and Primary School in Kuje Area Council.
Observers further reported that some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) arrived with incorrect Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines, causing delays. In Kurudu Primary School, Orozo Ward, AMAC, the BVAS reportedly failed to authenticate some voters due to duplicate records across polling units.
Administrative discrepancies, including confusion over polling unit codes and uncertainty among presiding officers regarding procedural requirements, were also documented.
CDD said the operational lapses point to systemic issues that require urgent attention ahead of the Ekiti and Osun off cycle elections and the 2027 General Elections.
Observers recorded isolated incidents of electoral malpractice. At Kabusa Primary School, police reportedly arrested a woman found with more than 20 voter cards, raising concerns about voter impersonation.
Reports of vote buying were documented in multiple polling units. At PU 009, LEA Lugbe, observers noted open inducement during voting. Similar incidents were reported in Kutunku, Gwagwalada Area Council, and PU 030 in Kuje, where inducements ranging from ₦1,000 to ₦5,000 were allegedly offered.
In some areas, party agents were said to have offered up to ₦10,000 to voters.
Officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reportedly arrested suspected vote traders in Gwagwalada.
While the election environment remained calm in most areas, isolated tensions were recorded. At Polling Unit 003, AU Suleman, Abaji Area Council, an unidentified individual allegedly entered the polling unit without accreditation, prompting a security response that reportedly included the use of tear gas.
The incident led to temporary disruption before order was restored.
By 3:00 p.m., polls had closed in several locations, with sorting and counting underway.
Observers also confirmed the successful electronic transmission of the AMAC Chairmanship result from Registration Area City Centre 01, Polling Unit adjacent to Government Science School (GSS) Garki.
CDD-West Africa commended voters for participating despite the challenges and called on INEC to urgently investigate the reported polling unit reassignments and address identified administrative and logistical gaps.
The organisation stressed that as Nigeria prepares for upcoming off-cycle elections and the 2027 General Elections, electoral stakeholders must strengthen voter communication, procedural clarity, and institutional preparedness to safeguard electoral integrity and restore public confidence.
