High Voter Card Collection Precedes FCT Area Council Elections
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that over 1.58 million Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) have been collected by registered voters ahead of Saturday’s area council elections in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This figure represents a significant portion of the total registered electorate, indicating robust preparedness for the local government polls.
According to INEC’s final data as of February 10, a total of 1,680,315 people registered to vote in the FCT elections. Of this number, 1,587,025 individuals have successfully collected their PVCs. The commission emphasized that possession of a valid PVC is mandatory for voting, stating: “Only duly registered voters in possession of valid PVCs will be allowed to vote.”
The PVC collection rate was uniformly high across all six area councils that constitute the FCT. Kuje Area Council recorded the highest collection rate, while Abaji, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kwali, and Abuja Municipal Area Council also reported strong turnout in the card retrieval exercise.
For the electoral process, INEC confirmed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) will be deployed at every polling unit. This technology is used for voter accreditation and is designed to enhance the integrity of the process by verifying voter identities and preventing multiple voting. Furthermore, results from the polling units will be transmitted electronically to the collation centers, a measure aimed at improving transparency and speed in the declaration of outcomes.
Voters in the FCT will be electing executive chairmen and councilors for each of the six area councils. These local government officials are responsible for grassroots administration, including primary healthcare, basic education, and local infrastructure.
In a standard security protocol for elections, security agencies in Nigeria typically implement temporary movement restrictions during voting hours to ensure a safe and orderly environment for the exercise.
The high PVC collection figure suggests active citizen engagement in the local democratic process. The successful conduct of these area council elections, which serve as a critical test for Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of future national polls, will depend on the efficient deployment of BVAS, the adherence to procedures by officials, and the calm participation of the electorate. Results are expected to be announced shortly after the close of voting on Saturday.
