The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned that individuals involved in vote buying ahead of the February 21, 2026, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections will be arrested and prosecuted.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), said the Commission had put measures in place to ensure a transparent, credible, and peaceful electoral process. He noted that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) would be deployed to polling units to monitor compliance.
“There is, however, one issue that must be addressed directly, and that is vote trading or vote buying. Any individual found buying or selling votes will be apprehended and dealt with in accordance with the law. Vote trading undermines the sanctity of the ballot and erodes public confidence in democratic institutions. It must not be tolerated,” Amupitan said.
The INEC chairman added that preparations for the election had been substantially concluded, with only the end of campaigns and the conduct of the poll remaining. A total of 89 domestic and foreign observer groups and 700 journalists from 72 media organisations have been accredited to monitor the elections.
Amupitan said the Commission had completed training and deployment arrangements for election personnel, including 11,873 polling unit officials, supported by supervisory and technical staff. He emphasized that strict adherence to the Electoral Act, professionalism, and neutrality had guided preparations.
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“Let me reiterate that 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 on 21st February 2026. I call on candidates and party leaders to prevail on their supporters to act responsibly, respect the rules, and allow the will of the people to prevail,” he said.
INEC confirmed that 1,680,315 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots across 2,822 polling units in the six area councils of Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali, where 570 candidates will contest 68 constituencies. The upgraded Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) will be deployed in all polling units.
Amupitan urged political parties, security agencies, the media, observers, and voters to play their respective roles responsibly to guarantee credible elections. “Our collective duty is to ensure that votes are cast freely, counted accurately, and reflected transparently. Let us raise the bar and consolidate the FCT’s standing as a model for local government elections in Nigeria,” he said.