The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it will electronically transmit results from Saturday’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections in real time.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), gave the assurance on Tuesday during an inspection tour of electoral preparations in Kuje, Gwagwalada and Bwari Area Councils ahead of the February 21, 2026, polls.
Speaking with journalists after reviewing facilities and logistics in the councils, Amupitan stressed that the commission would deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for voter verification and the upload of results directly from polling units.
According to him, the BVAS technology, which has been in use since its introduction, remains reliable for accrediting voters and transmitting results without delay.
“BVAS is capable of accrediting and also of uploading and transmitting the results. So definitely the results will be transmitted,” the INEC chairman stated, adding that the commission would not lower its standards, according to Arise News.
Amupitan expressed confidence in the level of preparedness reported by the councils visited.
He disclosed that Kuje Area Council had indicated 99.9 per cent readiness, Gwagwalada reported 90.8 per cent, while Bwari confirmed full readiness at 100 per cent.
He said the commission had cross-checked the claims and found them to be accurate, noting that the high level of preparedness should eliminate any room for irregularities.
“The report they gave us, I’ve verified that they are correct. In Kuje, they said they are 99.9% ready.
“In Gwagwalada, they said they are 90.8% ready. And in Bwari, they said they are 100% ready. So it means that there should be no excuse for any form of malfeasance. The election, it is hoped, will go very well,” he said.
The INEC chairman further revealed that both sensitive and non-sensitive materials had been sorted, packaged and thoroughly inspected.
He explained that he personally verified materials stored in the facilities to ensure everything required for the polls was intact and properly arranged.
Amupitan emphasised that the credibility of any election depends heavily on timely logistics and effective security deployment.
To this end, he directed that security agencies and election officials report to their respective Registration Area Centres (RACs) on Friday, a day before the election, to guarantee early movement of personnel and materials to polling units.
He urged officials to depart early on election day to ensure that voting begins promptly at 8:30am across all polling units.
“If you start on time and manage the process well, you can conclude voting by 2.30 pm, begin counting before darkness and upload results promptly,” he advised.
On the collation process, Amupitan reiterated that all results must be uploaded through the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
He explained that recent adjustments to the system now require that results be carefully entered and verified at collation centres to prevent discrepancies and enhance accuracy.
The INEC boss also addressed concerns about voter apathy, acknowledging that public confidence in the electoral process has waned in some quarters.
He said the commission was determined to operate strictly within the confines of the law to rebuild trust.
“We want to do everything possible to meet the aspirations of Nigerians. They have the right to make demands, and we will perform our responsibilities to redeem confidence that is a little bit deficient,” he said.
Electoral Officers in Kuje, Gwagwalada, and Bwari separately confirmed their readiness for the exercise, assuring that personnel had been trained and materials adequately arranged for the smooth conduct of the elections.
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