The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that more than 1.5 million registered voters in the Federal Capital Territory have collected their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the Area Council elections slated for Saturday, February 21, 2026.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, the commission revealed that 1,587,025 out of the 1,680,315 registered voters in the FCT had picked up their PVCs as of the February 10 deadline.
INEC noted that this represents a 94.4 per cent collection rate, with 93,290 cards yet to be claimed.
Providing a council-by-council breakdown, the commission said Abaji recorded 75,517 PVC collections out of 79,471 registered voters (95.0 per cent), while Bwari posted 276,360 collections from 295,711 registered voters (93.5 per cent).
In Gwagwalada, 196,184 of 208,057 registered voters collected their cards, amounting to 94.3 per cent. Kuje recorded the highest turnout with 144,109 collections out of 148,286 registered voters, representing 97.2 per cent.
Kwali had 99,774 collections from 107,203 registered voters (93.1 per cent), while the Municipal Area Council recorded 795,081 collections out of 841,587 registered voters, translating to 94.5 per cent.
INEC added that several Registration Areas achieved collection rates above 99 per cent, describing the turnout as evidence of strong grassroots participation.
The commission commended FCT residents for their active involvement during the Continuous Voter Registration and PVC distribution exercises, noting that the figures reflect a high level of preparedness for the polls.
It reiterated that only duly registered voters with valid PVCs would be eligible to vote and assured residents of its readiness to conduct a credible, free and fair election.
Voters across Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Abaji and Kwali are expected to elect chairmen and councillors. Campaigns, which commenced in September 2025, conclude today, with 68 positions up for grabs — six chairmanship seats and 62 councillorship positions.
Meanwhile, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has declared Friday a public holiday and announced movement restrictions from 8 p.m. on Friday to 6 p.m. on Saturday to ensure a smooth electoral process.
Wike, who made the announcement during a broadcast on national television and radio, urged residents to turn out en masse to participate in the elections. He explained that the measures were approved by President Bola Tinubu to enable residents travel to their communities and vote without hindrance.
