Accreditation, Voting Begin Across FCT Area Councils Amid Mixed Turnout
Accreditation and voting have commenced across several area councils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, with a mixed pattern of early logistical readiness and uneven voter turnout, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
In Kuje Area Council, electoral materials and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) arrived at a number of polling units as early as 7.30 a.m., enabling the prompt commencement of accreditation and voting. Polling units visited included 035 behind the Secretariat; 030 at Kauna Plaza; and 003, 004, 032, and 026 at Kayarda Primary School, Kuje.
Despite the early start, turnout in parts of Kuje was noticeably low. At Kauna Plaza Polling Unit 030, voter turnout remained sparse, even though materials arrived on time. Agents of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Labour Party were present to monitor proceedings.
In an interview with NAN, the APC agent, Mr. Abraham Silas, attributed the apathy to the configuration of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which he said was set to begin functioning at 10 a.m. According to Silas, some voters left after being asked to wait, intending to return later.
Similarly, a voter, Mr. Dauda Attah, expressed optimism about casting his vote and maintaining a peaceful process, but also blamed the low turnout on the delayed activation of the BVAS. At Polling Unit 003, Kayarda Primary School, Hajiya Fatimah Adeoye voiced concern over the sparse turnout, while an APC agent, Mr. Sani Mohammed, suggested that voters often treat council elections with less urgency than national polls.
The PDP agent, Mr. Ado Shekwolo, expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements and confidence that the exercise would be credible and hitch-free. Earlier, the Assistant Presiding Officer at Kauna Plaza, Mrs. Jamila Sabo, described the situation as peaceful, noting that materials arrived early and that no security challenges had been recorded.
In contrast, Kwali Area Council recorded a more encouraging turnout at some locations. At Polling Unit 013, Pilot Science Primary School, and Polling Unit 003 at the Health Care Centre, eligible voters were seen queuing in significant numbers for the chairmanship and councillorship elections.
Security personnel from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were on the ground to maintain order. NAN reports that Polling Unit 013 has 780 registered voters, while Polling Unit 003 has 774 registered voters.
A voter, Mr. Ahmad Badaru, commended INEC’s arrangements, noting that presiding officers arrived on time with voting materials. He expressed confidence that the prevailing orderliness would be sustained throughout the exercise, citing strong community enthusiasm.
Mrs. Amina Masara, who said she had initially been reluctant to participate based on previous experiences, expressed satisfaction with the peaceful atmosphere at the polling units.
Elsewhere, in Bwari Area Council, low turnout was observed in parts of Kubwa and Bwari Central. Few voters were seen at LEA Primary School, Kubwa, and Kayada Primary School in Kuje as of 8.30 a.m., despite the early arrival of electoral materials and officials.
INEC officials arrived at Pilot Primary School, Bwari Central, at about 7.30 a.m., while officials and security personnel were already stationed at LEA Primary School, Kubwa, by 7.50 a.m. Upon arrival, electoral officers promptly pasted voters’ lists to enable prospective voters to verify their names before forming queues.
Security personnel drawn from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Correctional Service, the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) were visibly deployed across polling centres visited.
Electoral observers and party agents, particularly from the APC, ADC, and Labour Party, were also present.
Minimal vehicular movement and skeletal commercial activities were observed in parts of Bwari and Kuje area councils.
An electoral officer, who requested anonymity, stated that officials were fully prepared for the exercise and that the voting machines were functioning optimally.
Overall, while logistical arrangements appeared largely efficient and security presence robust across the FCT’s area councils, voter participation in some locations remained subdued in the early hours of the elections.
