By Joy Odor Reportcircle News
The countdown to the Federal Capital Territory Council elections has entered its final, tense phase, and the electoral umpire has thrown its full weight behind what it calls a make-or-break test for grassroots democracy.
At a high-stakes stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, declared the Commission “ready for Saturday,” unveiling a sweeping security, logistics and technology operation designed to shut the door on manipulation.
More than 1.68 million registered voters will file into 2,822 polling units across the six area councils Abaji, AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali to choose 68 council leaders and councillors from 570 candidates.
But behind the statistics lies a deeper message: the election is being treated as a national credibility test.
INEC confirmed that every polling unit will use an upgraded Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), with results uploaded to the viewing portal immediately after counting.
Officials said mock accreditation across 289 polling units produced satisfactory results, boosting confidence in the technology.
The Commission has also deployed a 5% backup reserve of devices a safeguard introduced after previous elections were marred by equipment failure controversies.
Nearly 12,000 personnel mobilised
To run the election, INEC is deploying a workforce comparable to a military field operation:
11,873 polling unit officials
282 supervisory presiding officers
68 LGA and registration area supervisors
208 technical support staff
192 collation officers
In addition, 1,132 vehicles, 620 motorcycles and 14 boats will move materials across the territory, with polling scheduled to open at 8:30 a.m. sharp.
INEC warned transport unions against delays, a recurring complaint in past polls.
In a rare move, the Commission formally empowered anti-corruption agencies to operate directly at polling units.
Personnel from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission will arrest both buyers and sellers of votes.
Amupitan described vote trading as “an assault on democracy,” warning offenders would face prosecution.
Campaigns must end midnight Thursday, leaving a narrow cooling-off period before voting.
INEC confirmed it had completed its entire 13-item election timetable, including PVC distribution during which 106,099 new voter cards were collected.
Observers and media presence will be heavy:
89 domestic and international observer groups
700 journalists from 72 organisations
Nigeria’s only local election run by national umpire
The FCT poll holds special significance it is the only local government election conducted by INEC, making it a benchmark for elections run by state electoral commissions nationwide.
Amupitan stressed the Commission has “no preferred candidate,” urging parties to restrain supporters and accept the outcome.
The INEC boss framed Saturday’s vote as a collective responsibility:
Security agencies must stay neutral.
Parties must obey the law.
The media must report accurately.
Voters must remain peaceful.
Over 1.6 million residents will decide their leaders but the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process may also be on the ballot.
Saturday’s exercise, he said, must prove one thing: that the will of the people can survive the politics around it.
