2026 FCT Polls: 17 political parties in grassroots battle (Live Updates)

Voters in Abuja will go to the polls today to elect new chairpersons who will oversee the local governments for the next four years. 

A total of 637 candidates with two women from 17 political parties are contesting 68 positions — 62 councillors and six area council chairmanships will be on the ballot for the grassroots elections, which observers have described as “distinct” from polls in other LGAs across the country’s 36 states. 

Two incumbents are seeking re-election: Abubakar Abdullahi of Abaji Area Council and Christopher Maikalangu of AMAC, both representing the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Data on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s portal shows that there are 680,415 registered voters across 62 wards expected to participate in the polls: covering Abaji, AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali.

Voting will take place in 2,822 polling units, supported by 4,345 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines.

Barring any logistical difficulties, INEC has said the voting process will commence as early as 8:30 am, with security agencies deployed on ground for proper security monitoring. 

Meanwhile, the nation’s electoral umpire, INEC, said it accredited  88 domestic and international observer groups and cleared  a number of journalists to observe and cover the process, a move taken to drive transparency and public confidence. 

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command declared a 12-hour restriction of movement across the territory from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on election day. The directive exempts essential service providers and duly accredited election officials.

Western Post will be in the FCT’s polling units to bring you live updates of the election.

Stay on this page for the updates

Election Update – Bwari Area Council, FCT Abuja

Time: 9:09 a.m.

Location: PU 001, Ward 06, LEA Primary School, Ushafa, Abuja.

Voting commenced at 8:30 a.m. at the polling unit.

According to Zainab Tiamiyu, the Presiding Officer, there have been no issues with the BVAS accreditation process or logistics so far. The exercise is proceeding smoothly.

Time: 9:19 a.m.

Location: PU 020, Ward 06, Ushafa Pottery Centre/Angwan Tiv, Bwari Abuja.

Voting commenced at 8:45 a.m. at the polling unit.

Gift Agyo, the presiding officer said INEC officials arrived at the polling unit before 8:30 a.m., ahead of the commencement of voting.

Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: PU 014, Ward 06, Ushafa Sarai/Ushafa, Abuja

The total number of registered voters at the polling unit is 726.

An official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was observed experiencing difficulties operating the BVAS machine. Party agents were seen suggesting the use of an internet hotspot to resolve the issue.

Voters on the queue are becoming increasingly impatient as efforts continue to restore the device.

Time: 9:40 a.m.
Location: PU 017, Ward 06, Chief Palace, Ushafa, Abuja.

The total number of registered voters at the polling unit is 775.

Malik Ayman, the INEC Presiding Officer, reported that there are no issues with the BVAS machine or transportation logistics. Voting is proceeding in an orderly manner.

Time: 9:50 a.m.
Location: PU 015, Ward 06, Ushafa Clinic, Abuja

The total number of registered voters at the polling unit is 60.

Audu Success, Presiding Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stated that voting commenced at 8:30 a.m. He added that officials arrived at the polling unit shortly after 7:00 a.m.

The Presiding Officer reported no logistical issues.

Chief of Katampe, just cast his vote at polling unit 008 (Katampe Village Square) Mpape Axis, Bwari Area council.

Time: 11:00 a.m.
Location: PU 078, Ward 37, Surest International School, Kubwa, Abuja

The total number of registered voters at the polling unit is 317.

Presiding Officer Muhammed Abdulazeez reported that voting commenced at 10:00 a.m.

He noted some logistical challenges, including the absence of seats from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which had to be sourced from the school.

Abdulazeez confirmed that sensitive electoral materials, including the BVAS machine, were functioning properly.

Our reporter also observed the absence of police or other security personnel at the polling unit.

At 11:30 am: PU 068, Living Faith FO1, Kubwa Ward 10, Bwari FCT Abuja.

Total Registered Voters: 850

Voting commenced at approximately 9:00 a.m., according to Assistant Presiding Officer (APO 1), Syvanus Irimiya. He reported that the team experienced logistical challenges, which caused some delays in voter access.

Despite the setbacks, our reporter observed that all electoral materials were functioning perfectly.

Irimiya explained that delays were primarily due to transportation issues, as staff were conveyed in a coaster bus along with other INEC personnel, affecting the timely arrival of some voters.

He further noted that, following the late start, voter turnout has been steadily increasing throughout the morning.

At 12:00 PM, Polling Unit: 026 Dutse Gwari Extension, Ward 07, Dutse Alhaji, Bwari FCT Abuja.
Total Registered Voters: 827

The INEC Presiding Officer, Abbas Muhammed, confirmed that voting commenced at 8:40 AM. He noted that the polling unit had received the necessary codes by 8:30 AM and was ready before voting began.

He said there are no logistics issues, and all election materials are complete and functioning properly.

However, our reporter observed low voter turn out. “We’re still expecting more,” Muhammed said.

At 12:10 PM, Polling Unit: 024 Ward 07, Old Dutse Chief Palace, Dutse Alhaji, Bwari, FCT Abuja

The INEC Presiding Officer, Tijani Jariyat, confirmed that voting began at 8:30 AM, having arrived at the polling unit by 7:43 AM. She reported that there have been no logistics issues.

So far, the polling unit has experienced a slightly low voter turnout.

Election Update – Lugbe, FCT

Electoral materials were dispatched from the Registration Area Centre (RAC) at LEA Primary School, Lugbe, at about 8:10 a.m.

All is set for the commencement of voting at EC 30 A & B Polling Zone (009), Lugbe, in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abuja.

Election Update – AMAC, FCT

At Polling Unit 060, Abidjan Street, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja, electoral officials arrived as early as 7:40 a.m. to prepare the unit for voter accreditation and the commencement of voting.