KEY POINTS

• INEC says vote buying will not be tolerated in the February 21 FCT council elections.

• Over 1.6 million voters, 570 candidates and thousands of observers will participate.

• Anti-corruption agencies and security forces will be deployed to ensure credible and peaceful polls.

The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan, has declared that vote trading will not be tolerated during the upcoming area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory scheduled for February 21.

Speaking at a high-level stakeholders’ forum in Abuja, he stressed that the commission is fully prepared to conduct a peaceful, credible and transparent electoral process.

Amupitan disclosed that more than 1.6 million registered voters are expected across 2,822 polling units, where 570 candidates will compete for 68 elective positions spread across the six area councils. He emphasized that election materials and personnel would be deployed early to avoid delays and logistical setbacks.

Technology and monitoring to strengthen transparency

To ensure credibility, the electoral body will deploy the bimodal voter accreditation system in all polling units, while results will be transmitted in real time to the INEC Result Viewing portal. In addition, 89 observer groups and about 700 journalists have been accredited to monitor the process and provide independent oversight.

Amupitan announced that operatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission will be stationed across polling locations to deter vote buying and other electoral offences. He warned that anyone caught purchasing or selling votes would be arrested and prosecuted in line with the law, stressing that such acts undermine democracy and public trust.

To ensure smooth operations, INEC has arranged 1,132 vehicles, 620 motorcycles and 14 boats to transport officials and election materials. Polling is expected to begin at 8:30 a.m., a time agreed upon after consultations with transport unions to guarantee prompt delivery of materials nationwide.