Abuja Elections: Amupitan Warns Against Vote Buying, Declares Full Readiness

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has assured stakeholders that the Commission is fully prepared for the 2026 FCT Area Council Elections scheduled for Saturday, 21st February.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, he disclosed that 1,680,315 voters will participate across 2,822 polling units, with 570 candidates contesting positions in the six area councils. He reaffirmed the FCT election as a national benchmark for transparency.

All activities in the election timetable have been completed, including PVC distribution, which saw 106,099 cards collected. INEC has also accredited 89 observer groups and 700 journalists to monitor the process.

Prof. Amupitan confirmed full deployment of upgraded BVAS devices and strengthened logistics, including over 1,100 vehicles, 620 motorcycles, and 14 boats.

Issuing a firm warning against vote buying, he revealed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission will deploy operatives to polling units.

He urged parties, security agencies, the media, and voters to maintain peace, stressing that INEC has no preferred candidate and is committed to delivering a credible, transparent election.