FCT Area Council Election: Voters Stranded As INEC Brings Wrong BVAS, Vote Buying Reported At Lugbe Polling Unit
- By Metropolix ~
- February 21, 2026 --
- 0 Comment
— Voting ongoing at one of the polling units
By Kenny Steve & Sunday Are in Abuja
As officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, reportedly arrived with an incorrect Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, machine which stalled the commencement of accreditation and voting, voters in FCT who gathered at Bako Primary School polling unit in Kwali, Abuja, expressed frustration on Saturday morning.
As of about 9:17 am, accreditation had yet to begin at Polling Unit Code 37/05/03/003, according to details obtained.
The polling centre, situated in Pai Ward of Kwali Area Council within the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, was captured in a video that showed voters waiting calmly while election officials attempted to resolve the technical hitch.
Several voters at the location voiced concern over the delay, fearing it might disrupt the overall voting process.
Individuals present at the scene said INEC officials acknowledged bringing the wrong BVAS device, leaving voters stranded until the correct machine could be supplied.
“INEC came with the wrong BVAS. Voters are waiting for the right machine,” a source said.
Video clips from the school premises showed groups of voters standing around, many appearing visibly irritated as they awaited the proper accreditation equipment.
The BVAS device is central to Nigeria’s electoral process, as it verifies voters’ identities biometrically before ballots are issued. Any delay in its deployment can disrupt voting timelines and raise concerns about possible disenfranchisement.
Earlier accounts from other parts of the FCT Area Council election pointed to disorder and logistical shortcomings, with several voters reportedly struggling to identify their designated polling units.
Reporters covering the exercise observed many residents moving between centres in an effort to locate where they were assigned to vote, citing poor communication and insufficient guidance.
A correspondent with Platinum TV encountered a number of voters wandering around polling areas, attempting to confirm their voting locations.
One voter, identified simply as Precious, said she had made repeated attempts to find her polling unit without success.
When asked her name during the interview, she responded, “My name is Precious.”
On whether she had located her polling centre, she said, “No, this is not my polling unit.”
She explained that she was trying to find a different venue but was having difficulty navigating the area.
“It’s Regina Health Centre. So, I’m still finding it difficult to locate it,” she said.
Asked if she had previously been given accurate information about her polling unit, Precious suggested that unfamiliarity with the neighbourhood was the main issue.
“It wasn’t because I’m not familiar. I don’t live around this side, so it’s kind of very difficult,” she added.
According to the correspondent, numerous voters continued to move between polling centres in search of their correct locations, with some alleging they had received unclear or misleading directions.
Reports from Lugbe in the ongoing Federal Capital Territory area council elections indicate that vote buying is allegedly taking place at Polling Unit 009, located at LEA Lugbe.
A video circulating on X and seen clearly shows that cash inducements are being offered to voters near the polling centre.
However, as of the time of filing this report, it remains unclear which political party or representative is responsible for the alleged act.
Security operatives were said to be present in the vicinity, but there has been no official statement from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, or relevant authorities regarding the development.
Vote buying is considered an electoral offence under Nigerian law, and observers have repeatedly warned that such practices undermine the credibility and integrity of the democratic process.
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