FCT Polls Show Democratic Deficit, CHRICED Warns

A civil society organisation, the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), has described the just-concluded Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as a disturbing setback for Nigeria’s democracy, citing low voter turnout and widespread irregularities.

In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja and signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, the group said the exercise exposed serious weaknesses in the country’s electoral system and raised concerns about the credibility of democratic processes.

According to results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won chairmanship seats in Kuje, Bwari, Kwali, Abaji and Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured victory in Gwagwalada Area Council.

However, CHRICED maintained that beyond the declared results, the elections fell short of democratic standards and public expectations.

The group expressed concern over what it described as “shockingly low” voter turnout.

It noted that out of 1,682,315 registered voters in the FCT, only 239,210 voters, representing 14.24 per cent, participated in the polls. In AMAC alone, with 837,338 registered voters, only 65,676 votes were cast, amounting to 7.8 per cent.

CHRICED said the figures indicated that a tiny fraction of eligible voters determined leadership for millions of residents, describing the development as a profound democratic deficit and a sign of eroding public trust in the electoral process.

The organisation attributed the low participation to voter apathy and a growing perception that elections are predetermined and skewed in favour of incumbents.

It further alleged that the polls were marred by vote buying, late arrival of materials, poor logistics, weak voter education, intimidation at polling units and lax enforcement of electoral guidelines.

While acknowledging reported arrests and cash recoveries by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the group said such efforts were insufficient to address what it termed the institutionalisation of vote trading.

CHRICED warned that if irregularities of such magnitude could occur in six area councils, the implications for the 2027 general elections would be troubling.

The organisation called for far-reaching electoral reforms, including the introduction of a mandatory minimum voter turnout threshold before election results are declared valid.

It also advocated full implementation of the Justice Mohammed Uwais Electoral Reform Committee recommendations, deployment of real-time electoral surveillance technology, digital tracking of political finance and campaign spending, stronger legislation criminalising vote trading, and swift prosecution of offenders.

The group urged INEC to reform its logistics framework, strengthen voter education and improve transparency mechanisms. It also called on the National Assembly to amend electoral laws to introduce minimum turnout requirements and stiffer sanctions against electoral malpractice.

CHRICED appealed to the federal government to guarantee INEC’s institutional independence and adequate funding, while urging political parties to end the monetisation of elections and promote issue-based campaigns.

It further charged civil society groups, the media and citizens to intensify voter education and actively participate in the democratic process.

“Democracy thrives on participation, legitimacy and trust. Elections decided by a small minority cannot produce leaders who truly represent the will of the people,” the statement said.