FCT Polls: CSO Pushes For Massive Voter Turnout

As voters in the six Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) head to the polls tomorrow, the Grassroots Center for Rights & Civic Orientation (GRACO) called for adequate measures to boost voter confidence and by extension turnout.

The CSO said given the quantum of public resources expended to organise the elections, robust turnout of voters should be one of the key indicators to measure if the elections are credible and participatory.

GRACO in a statement by its executive director, Armsfree Ajanaku, called for impeccable election day logistics and strategic security deployment to ensure a seamless experience for voters.

It said the management of the entire electoral process should address historic factors that undermined participation in past elections.

“Drawing from GRACO’s recent research findings, we emphasise the urgent need to address systemic anomalies that deter citizens from exercising their fundamental right to vote.

“GRACO therefore calls for an inclusive electoral environment where every eligible voter can participate without fear or hindrance, ensuring that the voices of all eligible FCT voters shape the democratic process and the future of their communities.

“We make no mistake about the fact that voter participation is the cornerstone of a vibrant democracy. Yet, data from previous elections in the FCT reveals alarmingly low turnout. In the 2022 Area Council elections, turnout rates across the six councils averaged around 9%, ranging from a dismal 5.3% in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) to 18.08% in Abaji, far below national and global benchmarks.

“This level of alienation of voters from the electoral process reflects deep-seated issues that erode public confidence and perpetuate cycles of exclusion. With 1,680,315 registered voters for the FCT 2026 elections across 2,822 polling units, the potential for robust participation exists.

“However, this will not be achieved, if key issues that make voters stay away from the process are not decisively addressed. Low turnout risks further marginalising vulnerable groups and weakening the legitimacy of elected officials.

“Key among the challenges is the lack of trust in elections. Many citizens view election outcomes as predetermined, and this notion is fuelled by past instances of manipulation, violence, and procedural delays.

“Security concerns equally play a huge role, with threats of political thuggery and violence around polling units deterring voters, especially women and PWDs. Electoral malpractices, including vote-buying, and the complicity of some security officials, reinforces this distrust.

“Furthermore, persons with disabilities face unique obstacles that further entrench apathy. Inaccessible polling stations lacking ramps, tactile ballots, or sign language interpreters exclude PWDs from the process, violating principles of inclusivity enshrined in national policies like the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act.

“…GRACO acknowledges the efforts of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the FCT to address a number of these issues. In the pre-election period, INEC FCT has engaged in far-reaching consultation with civil society in the areas of election risk mapping and management.

“Importantly, on Election Day, we hope to see polling stations that are fully accessible by enforcing disability-inclusive standards, such as ramps and priority queues. Finally, GRACO encourages candidates to maintain decorum and avoid inflammatory rhetoric.

“Political actors should refrain from spreading hate speech, misinformation and disinformation before, during and after the elections. As the clock ticks down to voting day, GRACO urges all eligible FCT residents to demonstrate resilience by trooping out en masse to vote their candidates of their choice.

“As we build up to the 2027 general elections, let this the FCT Area Council polls be a turning point, demonstrating that apathy can give way to active participation in the democratic process,” the statement added.

End.