The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the devolution of the ongoing voter registration exercise in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to Ward level.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, said the exercise would run from 29 September to 8 October.
PRESS RELEASE
DEVOLUTION OF VOTER REGISTRATION TO WARD LEVEL AND THE SUSPENSION OF ONLINE PRE-REGISTRATION IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY (FCT)
The Commission has approved the devolution of the ongoing voter registration to Ward level in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).… pic.twitter.com/LPlccjIzel
— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) September 5, 2025
Olumekun explained that the decision aligns with INEC’s policy as the Commission prepares for major off-cycle area council elections in the FCT. He noted that similar arrangements were made ahead of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections in 2024, and more recently in Anambra for the forthcoming poll on 8 November.
According to him, voter registration currently limited to the FCT office and six Area Council offices will now be extended to all 62 Wards, bringing the total registration centres to 69.
He also announced that the online pre-registration option in the FCT would be suspended from 15 September to allow registrants to complete the process in person at the designated centres. “Without physical verification, the online option alone is invalid,” he said.
Olumekun stressed that voter registration in the FCT would end on 8 October, in line with Section 9(6) of the Electoral Act 2022, which requires the process to stop no later than 90 days before an election. The FCT Area Council election is scheduled for 21 February 2026.
Registration, both online and in person, will resume after the election and continue until August 2026, when the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise will be suspended ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He urged eligible citizens to take advantage of the devolved registration. “Citizens who are registered voters elsewhere in the country may also transfer their registration to the FCT. Similarly, those already registered in the FCT may transfer their registration within the territory. However, no person should register more than once, as double or multiple registration is a punishable offence under the law,” he cautioned.
Olumekun advised the public to take note of the dates and locations for the devolved CVR, adding that the list of centres has been uploaded to INEC’s website and official platforms.
