Nigeria's New Electoral Law Under Litmus Test with Council Election -

The Nigerian new electoral law which mandated immediate transmission of election results into the Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC, server , IREV is been tested with the federal Capital Territory Council Elections.

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) turned out early at polling units across the territory on Saturday, as security agencies mounted extensive operations to ensure a peaceful and orderly Area Council election.

A heavy presence of security personnel was observed at polling units, collation centres and major highways, with officers conducting patrols and manning strategic points.

The deployment follows a territory-wide restriction of movement from 8pm on Friday to 6 p.m. on Saturday , announced by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory , Nyesom Wike, through the permission of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu , in collaboration with other security agencies.

Major highways and arterial roads across the territory were largely free of vehicles, as residents complied with the movement restriction. The usually busy routes recorded minimal traffic, reflecting adherence to the directive and contributing to a calm environment for the exercise.

Authorities said the measure was aimed at preventing disruptions, safeguarding voters and electoral officials, and protecting sensitive election materials. Only essential service providers and duly accredited election personnel are exempt from the restriction.

The elections, conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, are taking place across the six Area Councils — Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali.

Security operatives were seen stationed at polling units from the early hours of the day, carrying out stop-and-search operations at key junctions and maintaining surveillance in identified flashpoints. Senior officers assured residents that adequate personnel had been deployed to maintain law and order throughout the exercise.

Observers note that the conduct of security agencies during the council elections will serve as an important indicator of institutional preparedness, particularly in maintaining peace and public confidence in the electoral process.

Political Party Agents Reactions

Speaking to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) agent, Mr. Benjamin Tazan, he expressed concern over the delay in the arrival of election materials, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take all elections seriously.

“They should take things seriously. It’s not only during presidential elections that they should be serious,” Mr. Tazan said.

Also speaking in Hausa, the All Progressives Congress (APC) agent, Mr. Nuhu Jibrin, attributed the delay to the late arrival of some election materials.

“The voting will commence,” he noted, adding, “There is no problem so long as they bring the materials and voting begins,” Mr. Jibrin noted.

At Kubwa 2, voting started early, but as of 9:30 am, the turnout was poor. Out of 756 that registered, only 5 people were present at the time of the report.

Statistics

Voters Registration – 1.68 Million

Voters Cards Collection – 1.5 Million

Political Parties – 17

Numbers of Candidates – 570

Polling Units – 2,872

Councils Contested For – 6

Number of Councillors Seats – 62

Number of Constituencies – 68

Battle Royale

The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the African Democratic Congress , ADC are two most prominent political parties expected to put up good showing at the council election. No single political party has overwhelming majority in all the six council since 1999. The dominant political parties APC and PDP have always shared the number of councils three way apiece.

The PDP candidates have stepped down for APC candidates in Bwari and Abuja Municipality.