As the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) prepares for Saturday’s Area Council elections, more than 1.5 million residents have already collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), signaling strong interest in the local polls.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reported Thursday that 1,587,025 of the 1,680,315 registered voters had picked up their PVCs by February 10, a 94.4% collection rate. About 93,000 voters are yet to collect their cards.
The elections will cover all six Area Councils: Abaji, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali, and the Abuja Municipal Area Council, where voters will elect chairmen and councillors for 68 positions. Campaigns, which began in September 2025, officially wrap up Friday.
INEC’s breakdown shows Kuje topping the collection rate at 97.2%, while the Abuja Municipal Area Council recorded the largest number of ready voters at 795,081. Several areas exceeded 99% collection, reflecting high community engagement. “These figures indicate strong citizen readiness to participate in the electoral process,” INEC said.
Only voters with valid PVCs will be allowed to cast their ballots. The commission confirmed that all arrangements are in place for a smooth, transparent election.
To support voter turnout and security, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike announced Friday as a work-free day and restricted movement from 8 p.m. Friday until 6 p.m. Saturday. President Bola Tinubu approved the measures to allow residents to travel and vote without disruptions.
As Abuja prepares to head to the polls, the high PVC collection rate suggests an engaged electorate eager to shape local governance; a significant signal for democracy in Nigeria’s political heart.
