The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that voter registration in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will now be conducted at the ward level to expand access for residents.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, said the exercise will run from Sept. 29 to Oct. 8.
He explained that the move aligns with the Commission’s policy ahead of upcoming off-cycle elections in the territory.
Olumekun recalled that similar arrangements were made before the Edo and Ondo governorship polls in 2024, as well as in preparation for the Anambra election slated for Nov. 8.
He disclosed that the exercise, which had been limited to the FCT office and six Area Council offices, would now cover all 62 wards, bringing the total registration centres to 69.
The National Commissioner further clarified that the online pre-registration option in the FCT would be suspended from Sept. 15 to allow pre-registrants to complete their enrolment at the physical centres, as online registration alone is invalid.
He added that the voter registration process in the FCT will officially close on Oct. 8 in accordance with Section 9(6) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates that registration must end at least 90 days before an election.
With the FCT Area Council election scheduled for Feb. 21, 2026, Olumekun said registration both online and in-person will resume after the polls and continue until August 2026, before being suspended nationwide ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He urged all eligible residents to take advantage of the ward-level registration exercise and complete their enrolment. Registered voters, he noted, may also transfer their registration either within the FCT or from other states, but warned against multiple registrations as it remains a punishable offence.
Olumekun encouraged residents to familiarize themselves with the full list of centres, which has been published on INEC’s official website and communication channels.