INEC extends FCT voter registration

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by four more days.

The extension, announced after the Commission’s Third Quarterly Meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja, pushes the exercise deadline from Wednesday, October 8, to Sunday, October 12, 2025.

According to a statement signed by the Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, the decision followed a review of field reports showing impressive turnout and improved participation across the six Area Councils.

“As of 7th October 2025, a total of 55,346 new voter registrations had been recorded in the FCT, comprising 38,528 online pre-registrations and 16,818 completed physical registrations,” the statement read.

Eta-Messi described the turnout as “a reflection of growing civic awareness and the impact of bringing voter registration closer to the grassroots.”

She reaffirmed that the online pre-registration portal remains suspended in the FCT, urging pre-registered voters to complete their process in person at designated centres in line with the Electoral Act 2022.

INEC also warned against multiple registrations, describing it as a punishable offence under the law.

The electoral umpire encouraged eligible residents yet to register or those seeking to transfer their registration within or into the FCT to take advantage of the extended timeline.

The list and addresses of all registration centres, according to the Commission, remain available on its website and social media platforms.

Meanwhile, campaigns have kicked off ahead of the FCT Area Council elections scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026.

A total of 68 elective positions, six chairmanship and 62 councillorship seats will be contested across Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali, and Abaji councils.

Seventeen political parties are fielding candidates, following the final list published by INEC last month.