Voting had not commenced as of 9:30 a.m. at Polling Unit (PU) 012 in Alaiyta, Lugbe area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), following the absence of officials and materials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Security personnel were stationed at the polling unit, alongside observers of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and residents who had arrived to cast their ballots. However, ballot papers, voter registers and accreditation materials were yet to be delivered at the time of filing this report.
Solomon A.K., who identified himself as an ADC supervisor deployed from the Abuja city centre to monitor proceedings, confirmed that the process had not begun as about 10 a.m.
“There are no materials and no INEC officials here. Everybody is waiting,” he said. “Security personnel are present, but election has not started. We will reach out to find out what is causing the delay in this area.”
Solomon described the FCT poll as a credibility test for INEC ahead of the 2027 general elections, noting that the conduct of off-cycle and area council elections would shape public confidence in the electoral body.
“This election is a test of credibility for INEC ahead of 2027. We expect the commission to demonstrate preparedness and transparency,” he said, while expressing confidence that the process would eventually commence.
Some voters at the polling unit expressed concern over the delay, saying prolonged waiting without information could discourage participation.
Benjamin Bala, a resident of Alaiyta, told BusinessDay that he arrived early to vote but met the absence of officials.
“I came early because I didn’t want to be late, but there are no INEC officials here and no information about what is happening,” she said. “People may get tired and leave if this continues.”
As of press time, voting had yet to begin at the polling unit, while residents remained at the venue awaiting the arrival of INEC officials and election materials.
