INEC Announces Massive PVC Collection Ahead of FCT Area Council Elections
The Independent National Electoral Commission has released impressive statistics regarding voter preparedness for the upcoming Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections. According to official data, more than 1.58 million Permanent Voter Cards have been successfully collected by registered voters across the territory.
Official Figures Reveal Strong Voter Engagement
In a detailed statement issued by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, INEC's National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, the commission disclosed that as of February 10, 2026, the collection exercise had achieved remarkable success. Out of 1,680,315 registered voters in the FCT, an impressive 1,587,025 PVCs had been collected, representing a substantial 94.4 percent collection rate. This leaves only 93,290 cards remaining uncollected as the election approaches.
Breakdown Across Area Councils Shows Consistent Performance
The commission provided a comprehensive breakdown of PVC collection across the six area councils, demonstrating widespread participation:
- Abaji Area Council: 75,517 PVCs collected from 79,471 registered voters (95.0% collection rate)
- Bwari Area Council: 276,360 PVCs collected from 295,711 registered voters (93.5% collection rate)
- Gwagwalada Area Council: 196,184 PVCs collected from 208,057 registered voters (94.3% collection rate)
- Kuje Area Council: 144,109 PVCs collected from 148,286 registered voters (97.2% collection rate - highest among all councils)
- Kwali Area Council: 99,774 PVCs collected from 107,203 registered voters (93.1% collection rate)
- Municipal Area Council (AMAC): 795,081 PVCs collected from 841,587 registered voters (94.5% collection rate)
INEC officials noted that several Registration Areas achieved collection rates exceeding 99 percent, indicating particularly strong grassroots participation and engagement with the electoral process.
Commission Commends Voter Preparedness
The electoral body expressed satisfaction with the high turnout during both the Continuous Voter Registration and PVC collection exercises. INEC officials stated that these figures suggest a commendable level of citizen readiness for the democratic process. The commission specifically commended FCT residents for their cooperation and active participation in these crucial pre-election activities.
Election Day Procedures and Security Measures
INEC emphasized that only duly registered voters in possession of valid PVCs will be permitted to cast their ballots on Election Day. The commission confirmed that all necessary arrangements have been finalized to ensure a free, fair, and credible electoral process.
Notably, the FCT Area Council elections represent the only local government polls in Nigeria conducted directly by INEC rather than state electoral commissions, adding national significance to the process.
Technical and Logistical Preparations
The commission has confirmed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System will be deployed across all polling units, with election results transmitted electronically to INEC's Result Viewing Portal for transparency and efficiency.
Security agencies have announced extensive deployments to maintain order throughout the election period. Movement restrictions will be enforced from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on election day, while campaign activities officially concluded at midnight on February 19, 2026, providing a two-day campaign-free period before voting commences.
Electoral Context and Positions at Stake
Voters across the six area councils - Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali - will elect six chairmen and sixty-two councillors across sixty-eight constituencies. This represents a significant democratic exercise at the local government level, with implications for governance and development across the Federal Capital Territory.
The high PVC collection rate suggests strong voter interest and participation in determining local leadership, potentially indicating robust turnout when polls open on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
