Accreditation and voting commenced on Saturday across polling units in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as residents trooped out to elect Chairmanship and Councillorship candidates in the Area Council elections.
Reports from correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) indicated that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recorded early deployment of electoral materials and ad hoc staff in several parts of the territory, although voter turnout varied across locations.
At polling units within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), electoral officers were seen arriving as early as 7:30 a.m., setting the stage for the commencement of accreditation and voting.
At Polling Unit 16, Area 8, City Centre, the Presiding Officer, Emmanuel Miracle, confirmed the timely arrival of officials and materials.
“We arrived at about 7:30 a.m. to begin preparations. We are fully set and waiting for the commencement of the election,” he said.
Similar scenes played out at Polling Unit 15, as well as Polling Units 072 and 073, where electoral officers and security personnel were already on ground ahead of voting.
Party agents also expressed confidence in the process. At Polling Unit 073, Salihu Abubakar, a party agent, commended the early arrival of INEC officials and security operatives, expressing optimism that the exercise would be peaceful.
In Kwali Area Council, accreditation and voting commenced at Polling Unit 013, Pilot Science Primary School, and Polling Unit 003 at the Health Care Centre, where eligible voters were observed forming queues.
Security personnel comprising officers of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were deployed to maintain order.
Some voters expressed satisfaction with the arrangements.
Mr Ahmad Badaru, one of the voters, praised the conduct of officials.
“The presiding officers arrived on time with voting materials. The process so far is orderly, and we hope it continues that way,” he said.
Mrs Amina Masara, however, admitted initial hesitation based on previous election experiences but noted improvements in the current exercise.
“I was reluctant at first, but what I have seen today shows peace and organisation,” she said.
However, NAN correspondents reported noticeable voter apathy in parts of Kuje Area Council, despite the early arrival of electoral materials.
At Polling Unit 030, Kauna Plaza, voter turnout remained low in the early hours.
Some party agents attributed the situation to technical issues involving the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
An agent of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Abraham Silas, alleged that delays linked to the configuration of the BVAS discouraged voters.
“Many voters were told to wait until later in the morning for the system to begin operation. Some had to leave and promised to return,” he said.
A voter, Mr Dauda Attah, also linked the low turnout to the BVAS schedule.
“People came early but were informed that accreditation would effectively begin later. That affected turnout,” he said.
At other polling units within Kuje, including centres at Kayarda Primary School, similar patterns of low early turnout were observed, although the environment remained calm.
Election officials described the process as peaceful.
Mrs Jamila Sabo, Assistant Presiding Officer at Kauna Plaza, said there were no security concerns.
“The materials arrived early, and the situation has been peaceful,” she said.
Meanwhile, reports from various parts of the territory indicated partial compliance with the restriction of movement order earlier announced by authorities.
Commercial vehicles, tricycles, and motorcycles were seen conveying passengers along Airport Road, Jikwoyi, Nyanya, Kuje, Gwagwalada, and other districts.
However, on major routes such as the Kubwa–Nyanya highway, security personnel mounted roadblocks, forcing motorists to take alternative routes.
In Aleyita, along Airport Road, polling centres were largely deserted in the early hours, with only a handful of voters and security personnel present.
Some residents expressed concern over delays in the arrival of electoral officials.
One of the voters, Mr Andrew James, said he arrived early but was disappointed by the initial absence of INEC officials.
“I got here before 7:00 a.m. hoping to vote early, but officials were not yet on ground,” he said.
Ahead of the elections, the FCT Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Olusola Odumosu, cautioned operatives against voter harassment and stressed the need for professionalism.
“On no account should any personnel harass voters or act in a partisan manner. Our responsibility is to provide security and ensure a credible process,” he said.
Odumosu disclosed that thousands of NSCDC personnel had been deployed across the territory to safeguard voters and electoral materials.
Across polling centres monitored, security presence remained visible, while stakeholders expressed optimism for a peaceful and credible electoral process.
