Civil Society Groups Decry BVAS Disruptions, Urban Voter Apathy
Operational Hurdles Mar FCT Area Council Elections
ELECTION observers have highlighted significant operational challenges during the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council polls, warning that the issues may have undermined voter confidence and participation.
The concerns were raised by the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) and the Bridging Social Inclusion Gaps Initiative (BISIGI) at a joint press conference in Abuja.
According to PPDC Executive Director Lucy Abagi, nearly 40 per cent of observed polling units failed to commence voting at the stipulated 8:30 a.m. start time. In several cases, voting began hours later.
She cited late arrival of officials, delayed delivery of sensitive materials, and the absence of security personnel as primary causes of the disruptions.
Technical Issues Compound Delays
In addition to logistical setbacks, the observers reported technical challenges with the BVAS machines used for voter accreditation.
Abagi noted that while some polling units recorded smooth operations, about 40 per cent encountered network failures and battery-related issues. The lack of alternative power sources reportedly worsened the situation.
“These disruptions directly affected voter participation,” she said, adding that prolonged accreditation stoppages led many voters to abandon the process.
Observers reported particularly low turnout in urban centres such as Garki, Wuse, Gwarinpa, and the City Centre, with apathy more visible in parts of AMAC. Rural and peri-urban areas also recorded lower-than-expected participation.
The groups linked the urban apathy to perceived distrust in electoral outcomes and dissatisfaction with local government performance.
(Here is a cry-out from a registered voter in Wuye on her Facebook timeline concerning the relocation of her polling unit.)
Demands for Reform
BISIGI Executive Director Tina Chidi called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enhance result transparency by ensuring immediate display of results at polling units and prompt uploading to the IReV portal.
She further urged INEC to publish comprehensive ward-by-ward and polling-unit-level results to bolster public trust.
The civil society organisations concluded that addressing operational inefficiencies and improving transparency would be critical to restoring faith in the FCT’s local electoral processes.
(Here, INEC denied claims of voters migrating to new polling units, even though it stated that voters faced some difficulties locating their polling units. Basically INEC was contented about the turnout of voters.)
