The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that results of the forthcoming Area Council elections will be transmitted in real time directly from polling units, reinforcing the commission’s commitment to transparency and credibility.
INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan (SAN), gave the assurance on Tuesday after conducting an on-the-spot assessment of the commission’s preparedness in Kuje, Gwagwalada and Bwari Area Councils ahead of the February 21, 2026 polls.
The visit formed part of the commission’s final verification exercise to ensure logistical readiness, compliance with operational guidelines and adequate security coordination before election day.
Speaking to journalists after the inspection, Amupitan emphasised that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) remains central to INEC’s electoral process. He noted that since its introduction, the technology has been consistently deployed for voter accreditation and electronic transmission of results.
“BVAS is capable of accrediting and also of uploading and transmitting the results. So definitely the results will be transmitted,” he stated.
The BVAS device performs biometric verification using fingerprints and facial recognition, while also serving as the platform for uploading polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV). According to the chairman, the commission will not lower standards or compromise established procedures.
INEC’s insistence on real-time transmission comes amid heightened public scrutiny of electoral processes nationwide. By reaffirming its commitment to technological deployment, the commission seeks to bolster public confidence ahead of the FCT polls.
Amupitan expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness reported by electoral officers across the three councils inspected. He disclosed that Kuje Area Council indicated 99.9 per cent readiness, Gwagwalada reported 90.8 per cent, while Bwari confirmed 100 per cent preparedness.
“The report they gave us, I’ve verified that they are correct. In Kuje, they said they are 99.9% ready. In Gwagwalada, they said they are 90.8% ready. And in Bwari, they said they are 100% ready. So it means that there should be no excuse for any form of malfeasance. The election, it is hoped, will go very well,” he said.
The chairman explained that both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials had been properly batched and inspected. Verification exercises were also conducted within storage facilities to confirm that materials were intact, secured and ready for deployment.
Sensitive materials include ballot papers and result sheets, while non-sensitive materials cover voting cubicles, ink pads, stamps and other essential supplies required for polling unit operations.
INEC underscored that credible elections depend significantly on early deployment of materials and effective security arrangements. Amupitan directed that security personnel and polling officials report to their respective Registration Area Centres (RACs) on Friday to facilitate prompt distribution of materials on election morning.
“Set out early so that materials get to polling units on time and voting should start at 8.30am. If you start on time and manage the process well, you can conclude voting by 2.30pm, begin counting before darkness and upload results promptly,” he advised.
The Registration Area Centres serve as staging points where materials and personnel are assembled before being dispatched to polling units. INEC officials say adherence to the deployment timeline is critical to preventing delays that could disrupt voting or erode voter confidence.
Security agencies are expected to provide escort and protection for electoral materials and personnel throughout the exercise. The commission reiterated its collaboration with law enforcement authorities to maintain order and safeguard the integrity of the process.
Amupitan reiterated that all polling unit results must be uploaded through the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), a transparency mechanism that allows citizens and stakeholders to view scanned copies of result sheets online.
He disclosed that recent modifications to the process require results to be properly keyed in and cross-checked at collation centres to enhance accuracy and minimise discrepancies.
The commission’s approach, he said, combines digital transmission with manual collation protocols to ensure consistency and compliance with the Electoral Act. By reinforcing verification steps at collation centres, INEC aims to reduce errors and eliminate opportunities for manipulation.
The INEC chairman also addressed concerns about voter apathy, acknowledging that public trust in the electoral system has experienced strain in recent years. He assured residents that the commission is committed to restoring confidence by adhering strictly to legal and operational standards.
“We want to do everything possible to meet the aspirations of Nigerians. They have the right to make demands, and we will perform our responsibilities to redeem confidence that is a little bit deficient,” he said.
Observers note that turnout in local government elections often lags behind national polls. INEC’s renewed emphasis on transparency and efficiency is viewed as part of broader efforts to encourage greater participation.
Electoral Officers in Kuje, Gwagwalada and Bwari separately reaffirmed their readiness for the polls, aligning with the chairman’s assessment. They indicated that staff training had been completed, logistics arrangements finalised and contingency plans established to address unforeseen challenges.
The February 21 FCT Area Council elections will test INEC’s preparedness at the sub-national level, particularly in the consistent application of technology-driven processes. With assurances of near-total readiness and real-time transmission of results, the commission has signalled its intention to deliver a credible, transparent and efficiently managed exercise.
As residents of the Federal Capital Territory prepare to cast their ballots, INEC’s pledge of immediate electronic transmission is expected to remain a focal point, reflecting the growing centrality of technology in Nigeria’s evolving electoral architecture.
