The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a stern warning against vote trading ahead of Saturday’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, directing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to arrest offenders at polling units.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, said the anti-graft agencies have been given an “express mandate” to deploy personnel across polling units and apprehend anyone caught buying or selling votes.
“Vote trading undermines the sanctity of the ballot and erodes public confidence in democratic institutions. It must not be tolerated,” he declared.
The February 21, 2026 elections will see 1,680,315 registered voters cast ballots in 2,822 polling units across the FCT. A total of 570 candidates are contesting 68 constituencies for chairmanship, vice-chairmanship and councillorship seats.
Amupitan reiterated the Commission’s neutrality amid political tensions.
“INEC does not have a political party and does not have a preferred candidate. Our mandate is clear: to provide the enabling environment for residents of the FCT to freely choose their representatives,” he said.
He confirmed that 13 activities on the Commission’s timetable have been completed, leaving only the close of campaigns and Election Day.
INEC disclosed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) has been upgraded and will be deployed across all 2,822 polling units.
To support the exercise, the Commission has mobilised 11,873 polling officials, alongside a logistics fleet comprising 1,132 vehicles, 620 motorcycles and 14 boats.
“Our collective duty is to ensure that votes are cast freely, counted accurately and reflected transparently. Let us consolidate the FCT’s standing as a model for local government elections in Nigeria,” Amupitan urged stakeholders.
Meanwhile, INEC debunked reports suggesting that election results would be transmitted in “real time.”
Chief Press Secretary Adedayo Oketola described the term as a technical misrepresentation, clarifying that while electronic transmission has been in place since 2022, uploads occur only after voting concludes, ballots are counted and result sheets are signed by party agents.
“Since 2022, INEC has been transmitting results. BVAS accredits voters and uploads results. But ‘real-time’ streaming, as suggested in some reports, is neither provided for in law nor in our operational guidelines,” the Chairman explained.
With anti-corruption agencies now on alert and upgraded technology in place, INEC says the stage is set for what it hopes will be a credible and transparent FCT poll.
