FCT Polls: INEC clears 1.6 million voters for election
FCT Polls: INEC Clears 1.6 Million Voters for Election
By Soni Daniel
Abuja—The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that approximately 1.6 million individuals are eligible to vote in the upcoming elections scheduled for February 21 in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to Malam Aminu Idris, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for the FCT, the final registered voter count stands at 1,680,315. Idris shared this information during a media briefing on Tuesday in Abuja, highlighting the completion of key preparations aimed at ensuring a transparent and efficient electoral process across the six area councils.
“Following the revision of the register of voters, the total number of registered voters in the FCT is now 1,680,315,” he stated.
Idris noted that INEC has initiated measures to streamline operations on election day, including the establishment of sub-Registration Area Centers (RACs) in the Dutse Alhaji and Kubwa Wards of the Bwari Area Council, and in Gwarinpa and Kabusa Wards of the Abuja Municipal Area Council. This move aims to improve the distribution of personnel and materials.
However, Idris announced that elections will not occur in four polling units within the FCT due to a lack of registered voters. Specifically, three of these units are located in Garki Ward and one in Jiwa Ward.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner also emphasized that INEC has made significant strides in various areas, including monitoring party primaries, finalizing candidate lists, and preparing non-sensitive materials. He confirmed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices have been activated for the elections.
Mallam Mohammed Haruna, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, stated that necessary non-sensitive materials have been procured for the 2,822 polling units across 62 wards in the FCT.
Haruna assured attendees, “As is our established practice, the Commission will, in the presence of party agents, security personnel, civil society organizations, and the media, take delivery of these sensitive materials from the FCT Branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria on Wednesday, February 18, for distribution to Area Council offices at 8:30 a.m. on February 21.”
He reinforced the importance of conducting a free, fair, and credible election, stating that, “No stone must be left unturned to ensure that the election is free, fair, and credible.”
