INEC: 2026 FCT Council Elections Recorded 14% Voter Turnout — Up from 9.4% in 2022

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the just-concluded Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections recorded 14 percent voter turnout, up from 9.4 percent from the 2022 polls.

On Saturday, the commission conducted chairmanship and councillorship elections across the six area councils in the nation’s capital.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Wilfred Ifogah, INEC acting director of voter education and publicity, said the turnout reflected a notable improvement compared to the 2022 FCT area council polls.

For last Saturday’s elections, 1.68 million voters were registered, up from 1.58 million in 2022—an increase of about 100,000 voters, representing a 6.3 percent growth in the register.

Ifogah said out of the 1.68 million registered voters in 2026, 239,210 cast their ballots, resulting in 14.2 percent voter turnout.

In contrast, 148,685 voters participated in the 2022 election, representing 9.4 percent of the 1.58 million registered voters at the time.

The figures indicate a 90,510 increase in the number of voters who turned out in 2026 — a 61 percent rise in actual participation compared to 2022.

Several Nigerians and civil society organisations (CSOs) commended the peaceful conduct of the election but expressed concerns over the low voter turnout.

Despite the increase, participation remains relatively low, with more than 85 percent of registered voters abstaining in 2026.

While the 2026 figures suggest improved voter turnout relative to the last FCT area council polls, it raises concerns of voter apathy in the nation’s elections.