• Plans to deploy PU 11,873 officials, 2,822 BVAS
• Police confirm deployment of DSS, military, restrict movement

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured that the results of Saturday’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections will be transmitted electronically from polling units.
 It also plans to deploy 11,873 Polling Unit (PU) officials and 2,822 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices for the February 21, 2026, elections.
 This was as the FCT Police Command confirmed the deployment of its personnel, alongside the Army, Air Force, Navy, Department of State Services (DSS) and sister agencies ahead of the elections.
 
The police also announced restrictions on movement between 6.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. on Election Day.
 INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), gave the assurance after assessing the commission’s level of preparedness in Kuje, Gwagwalada and Bwari area councils.
 Amupitan said the BVAS had consistently been used to accredit voters and transmit results in real time since its introduction, stressing that the commission would not compromise standards.
  “BVAS is capable of accrediting, uploading and transmitting the results. So, definitely, the results will be transmitted,” he said.
 
Expressing satisfaction with the level of preparedness across the councils, Amupitan disclosed that Kuje Area Council reported 99.9 per cent readiness, Gwagwalada 90.8 per cent, while Bwari indicated 100 per cent preparedness.
 The INEC boss said the election would involve 1,680,315 registered voters across 2,822 PUs in the six area councils of Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali.
 According to him, 570 candidates are contesting 68 constituencies for the positions of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen, as well as 62 councillorship seats comprising 10 wards each in five area councils and 12 wards in AMAC.
 
He said officials would be supported by 282 Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs), 68 Local Government Area and Registration Area Supervisors and Monitors, 68 Registration Area Centre Managers, 208 technical support staff and 192 collation officers.
 Spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, stated that the deployment of personnel was part of its comprehensive operational order for the elections.
 The force said: “This massive deployment has enjoyed a rich exchange of operation and human resources from sister security agencies, comprising the Nigeria Army, Nigeria Air Force, Navy, DSS, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), among others.

“The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Miller Dantawaye, charged all deployed officers to maintain the highest level of professionalism and ensure adequate security coverage at all polling units and collation centres to guarantee a peaceful, free, and fair electoral process. He further warned that officers must remain vigilant, impartial and courteous in the discharge of their duties, while respecting the rights of all citizens.”
 
The command further stated that there would be a restriction on movement across the FCT from 6.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. on February 21, 2026, except for essential service providers and election officials.
 “Members of the public are also encouraged to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious persons or activities to the police through the following emergency numbers: 08032003913, 08061581938,” she added.