INEC Moves Voter Registration to Ward Level in FCT, Suspends Online Pre-Registration Ahead of 2026 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the devolution of the ongoing voter registration exercise in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to ward level, in preparation for the February 2026 Area Council elections.

In a statement issued on Friday, September 5, 2025, by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, the Commission said the move was consistent with its practice ahead of major off-cycle elections, as previously done in Edo, Ondo, and Anambra states.

With this adjustment, registration will no longer be restricted to INEC’s FCT office and the six Area Council offices but will now take place in all 62 wards across the territory, bringing the total number of registration centres to 69.

The devolved Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise will run from Monday, September 29, 2025, to Wednesday, October 8, 2025.

However, to accommodate the transition, the Commission said it would suspend the online pre-registration option in the FCT from Monday, September 15, 2025, urging citizens who had already started the process to complete their registration at designated physical centres.

“The voter registration in the FCT will be suspended on October 8, 2025, in line with Section 9(6) of the Electoral Act 2022, which requires the Commission to end the process not later than 90 days before an election,” Olumekun explained.

He further noted that voter registration will resume after the FCT election and continue until August 2026, when it will be suspended nationwide in preparation for the 2027 general elections.

INEC also clarified that citizens who are yet to register, or those wishing to transfer their registration either into or within the FCT, now have the opportunity to do so. The Commission warned against multiple registrations, stressing that it remains an offence punishable by law.

The list and addresses of the registration centres have been made available on INEC’s website and official platforms.

INEC urged eligible citizens in the FCT to “turn out en masse” to take advantage of the exercise ahead of the 2026 elections scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026.