The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room on Saturday said voting in the 2026 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections commenced in a largely peaceful atmosphere but was marred by late opening of polls and incidents of vote buying in several locations.
In a midday statement, the coalition said it deployed observers across the FCT and activated its Election Reporting App, enabling citizens to submit real-time reports.
The group also received updates from partner organisations including Kimpact Development Initiative, CLEEN Foundation and Inclusive Friends Association.
While noting that the pre-election environment and voting process remained calm, Situation Room reported that polls opened late in many areas, with an average commencement time of 9:15am.
The statement signed by co-conveners, Mma Odi and Celestine Odo, attributed the delay to late arrival of officials and materials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, the group acknowledged timely deployment in a few areas, particularly in Kwali Area Council, where officials and materials reportedly arrived early.
Turnout and BVAS Performance
The coalition observed a slow start to voter turnout, especially in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), where residents went about their normal activities in the early hours.
“As the morning progressed, queues began to form in Kuje, Kwali, Gwagwalada and Abaji Area Councils.
“Some voters reportedly struggled to locate their polling units after last-minute relocations.
“Although INEC sent text messages on the eve of the election, many voters said the short notice made verification difficult.
On accreditation, Situation Room said the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) functioned efficiently in most polling units, with an average turnaround time of about one minute per voter.
However, it received two reports of malfunction in Gwagwalada and central Abuja.
Security and Isolated Incidents
Observers reported a significant presence of security personnel, including officers of the Nigeria Police, Civil Defence, Immigration and Fire Service.
The group commended security agencies for professionalism and courteous conduct.
Nonetheless, it noted isolated incidents of intimidation and harassment in parts of Kuje, Abaji and Gwagwalada.
Although there were a few reports of intimidation and harassment in Grade 1 Area Court Rubochi, Kuje, Naharati Sabo School II, Rimba/Ebagi and PU3 UNG.
“Liman/UNGUWAR LIMAN 1, Abaji Central and Kpasele JSS Giri II, Gwako Gwagwalada where a voter came to the polling unit with a cutlass and the youths charged at him.
“However, the situation was swiftly handled by the security agents who took5 him away.
Vote Buying and Party Conduct
Situation Room raised concerns over vote buying in several polling units.
“Vote buying was observed in many polling units visited.
“In few a places, it was openly done in some polling units such as PU008, 056, 057 and 058 Gidan Mangoro Ward of AMAC where votes traded with as much as N10,000 each.
“In some other places, votes buying was discreet but observed.
The group also reported the presence of party agents in most polling units visited. In one case in Kuje, a party agent was allegedly seen wearing both a party tag and an INEC Assistant Presiding Officer jacket.
The coalition expressed concern over inadequate assistive materials for persons with disabilities.
“Most polling units visited did not have Assistive Materials. The Form EC30E (PWD) for the deaf was visible in most polling units observed but the braille ballot guide and magnifying glasses were not deployed.
“In Karimajiji – a disability colony, none of the assistive materials as mentioned above including the Form EC30E was deployed.
“Some of the voters with disability seen in PU052, Mombolo Street, Wuse also did not have access to assistive materials.
Call for Sustained Calm
Despite the challenges, the group commended the INEC FCT Help Desk for promptly responding to issues raised.
It urged stakeholders to sustain the calm atmosphere as voting concludes and collation begins, and called on security agencies to maintain the professionalism already displayed.
