By Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
THE Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), has assured voters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that all results from Saturday’s council elections will be transmitted in real time directly from polling units.
Speaking in Abuja after assessing preparations in the Area Councils of Kuje, Gwagwalada and Bwari, Prof. Amupitan said the commission is fully prepared for the FCT elections scheduled for 21 February 2026.
He confirmed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BiVAS) has consistently been used to upload and transmit election results since its introduction, stressing that the technology will again be deployed for the forthcoming polls.
“BiVAS is capable of accrediting voters and also uploading and transmitting the results. So definitely the results will be transmitted,” he said.
Expressing confidence in the readiness of Electoral Officers (EOs), the INEC chairman noted that Kuje reported 99.9 per cent preparedness, Gwagwalada 90.8 per cent, and Bwari 100 per cent.
“The reports they gave us have been verified. In Kuje, they are 99.9 per cent ready. In Gwagwalada, 90.8 per cent. In Bwari, 100 per cent. That means there should be no excuse for any form of malpractice. The election, it is hoped, will go very well,” he stated.
He added that all non-sensitive materials have been batched and inspected, saying he personally visited storage facilities to ensure everything was in place.
Prof. Amupitan emphasised that the credibility of any election depends on the timely deployment of materials and adequate security for voters and officials. He reiterated that INEC would not compromise its standards.
Addressing Electoral Officers, he outlined measures aimed at guaranteeing a transparent process, reducing voter apathy and restoring public confidence.
“We want to address the issue of voter apathy. Nigerians have the right to make demands, and we will do everything possible within the law to fulfil our responsibilities. That is one way we can begin to rebuild confidence,” he said.
He directed that security agencies and poll officials should assemble at the Registration Area Centres (RACs) on Friday to enable early deployment on Saturday morning. According to him, officials should depart by 6.00am or 7.00am to ensure voting commences promptly at 8.30am.
“If you start on time and the election is peaceful, you can close voting at 2.30pm, begin counting before darkness sets in, declare the results, enter them and upload them,” he said.
The INEC chairman further stressed the importance of uploading results through the IREV portal, noting that recent modifications require results to be keyed in for added transparency.
INEC Chairman
He urged collation officers to cross-check all entries carefully, even though new devices are expected to provide automatic verification.
“Let people be able to audit us even after we leave office. Whether or not we are appreciated now, the data will speak for us,” he added.
Providing separate updates, Kuje EO Adamu Yakubu reported 99.9 per cent readiness, Gwagwalada EO Bola Abdullahi 90.8 per cent, and Bwari EO Gloria Adeboye 100 per cent.
Prof. Amupitan was accompanied on the inspection tour by senior INEC officials, including FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner Aminu Idris, FCT Commissioner for Operations Mallam Tukur Yusuf, Acting Director of the Electoral Institute Prof. Sani Ibrahim, and other commissioners.
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