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Yiaga Africa reports vote buying across several polling units
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Late opening, missing materials recorded in parts of AMAC, Abaji
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Low voter turnout, early closure of some polling units observed
Civil society organisation Yiaga Africa has released its preliminary report on the 2026 Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, citing vote buying and logistical shortcomings as key issues that marred the exercise.
The group disclosed that it deployed trained and accredited roving observers across the 62 wards of the FCT to monitor the conduct of the polls organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
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According to Yiaga Africa, while the elections were conducted in a largely peaceful atmosphere and voters were allowed to cast their ballots without widespread disruption, turnout was generally low across most polling units.
The organisation reported delayed commencement of voting in several locations, particularly within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), including Wuse and Gwarinpa wards, where polling officials were still setting up materials as of 9:00 a.m. Accreditation and voting in many units reportedly began around 10:00 a.m.
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Observers also noted instances of missing or delayed materials. At Polling Unit 004 in Wuse Ward, Zone 2 Primary School, the voter register was initially unavailable. In parts of Abaji Area Council, voting cubicles and essential materials such as ink pads were reportedly absent in some units.
Yiaga Africa further raised concerns over the relocation of certain polling units without adequate prior communication to voters. Although INEC sent SMS notifications, many voters reportedly received the messages on Election Day, leading to confusion and overcrowding at some centres.
The group also documented cases where polling units closed before the official 2:30 p.m. deadline, contrary to electoral guidelines requiring that units remain open until the last voter on queue has cast their ballot.
On security, the organisation observed heavy deployment in some areas, which it said restricted the movement of accredited observers and created barriers for voters.
Yiaga Africa stated that vote buying persisted despite INEC’s directives to security agencies to apprehend offenders.
“Observers documented incidents of vote buying at polling units, underscoring the continued vulnerability of the electoral process to monetary inducement,” the report noted.
The organisation urged electoral authorities to address the identified lapses to strengthen the credibility and integrity of future elections.