INEC polling unit adjustments explained for FCT Area Council elections
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has responded firmly to criticism over polling unit adjustments made during the February 21, 2026 Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), defending its actions amid accusations that voters were shifted from their registered polling units. INEC officials explained that there was no deliberate migration of voters to different voting locations, rejecting claims circulating among some political groups and observers that the adjustments undermined the credibility of the electoral process. Instead, the electoral body said it created what it described as split polling units in areas where voter registration numbers exceeded the threshold of 1,250 to reduce overcrowding on election day and ensure smoother operations for voters. The Commission insisted that these split units were physically situated only a few metres from the original locations and remained within the same premises, and added that the necessary voter registers were displayed in advance to help affected voters identify their correct polling sites. INEC also noted it had sent reminder messages to affected voters before the election, aiming to support their understanding of the new arrangements, and highlighted that such steps were taken solely to enhance voter access and not to alter electoral boundaries or disenfranchise anyone. At the same time, some civil society groups and international observers have said the adjustments led to confusion among voters, with reports of individuals struggling to find their assigned units and contributing to low turnout across the capital’s six councils. While the Commission has welcomed the largely peaceful conduct of the polls and improvement in voter participation compared to previous exercises, critics maintain that better voter education and clearer communication about the changes should have been provided ahead of the election to avoid misunderstanding and discontent. INEC’s defence of the adjustments and its emphasis on administrative clarity illustrate the challenges electoral bodies face in balancing operational efficiency with public confidence, especially ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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