Nigeria’s electoral body has released a revised register for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), revealing that over 110,000 new voters have joined the rolls ahead of key local elections next month.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced on Thursday that the total number of registered voters in the capital and its surrounding councils now stands at 1,680,315, up from 1.57 million during the 2023 general election.
The update comes as the city prepares to elect six area council chairmen and 62 councillors on 21 February 2026.
‘Testing the system’
The FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner, Aminu Idris, told political stakeholders in Abuja that the new register had undergone a rigorous “de-duplication” process using biometric data to remove double entries.
“This register now supersedes all previous lists,” Mr Idris said, adding that it is a critical step in ensuring the integrity of the vote.
The commission confirmed that several key milestones have already been met, including:
- BVAS Ready: The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines have been activated and tested.
- Logistics: Non-sensitive materials have been received at local depots.
- Security: Collaboration with the police and other agencies has been formalised to ensure a peaceful polling day.
PVC collection to begin
For the thousands of residents who registered for the first time or transferred their voting location late last year, the commission confirmed that their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) have now arrived in Abuja.
A formal date for collection will be announced “in due course,” but officials urged voters to stay alert for the announcement to avoid a last-minute rush.
National momentum
While the focus remains on the capital, INEC also announced it has resumed the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in Anambra State. This follows the conclusion of the state’s governorship election last November.
The move is part of a broader national strategy to ensure that Nigeria’s voter database is fully updated well in advance of the 2027 general election.
Commissioner Idris called on political parties to maintain a “peaceful atmosphere” in the capital and urged them to intensify their efforts to get people to the polls, as local elections in Nigeria often suffer from lower turnout than national contests.
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