FCT Council Election: ADC Raises Alarm Over Voter Disenfranchisement At Gwarinpa Polling Unit

 FCT Council Election: ADC Raises Alarm Over Voter Disenfranchisement At Gwarinpa Polling Unit

Federal Capital Territory (FCT), February 21, 2026 – Chaos unfolded at the Federal Staff Clinic Polling Unit in Gwarinpa on Saturday as voters were reportedly blocked from casting their ballots due to a malfunctioning accreditation machine.

The electronic device used to verify voter identities reportedly failed, leaving several eligible voters stranded and unable to exercise their constitutional right to vote. The incident has drawn criticism from political observers and civil society groups.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) condemned the situation, calling it a “clear case of voter disenfranchisement.” In a statement, the party urged electoral officials to immediately fix or replace the faulty machine, stressing that “democracy must not be sabotaged by technical failures.”

The ADC also reiterated its commitment to safeguarding electoral integrity, promising to monitor developments and hold authorities accountable.

Reports from across the FCT during the Area Council elections indicated a generally low voter turnout, partly due to heavy security presence and movement restrictions. Security operatives were stationed at key junctions and polling units in Abuja, including Kubwa, Bwari, and Gwagwalada, performing stop-and-search operations and enforcing curfew measures.

While officials say the measures were necessary to ensure a peaceful and credible election, many residents claimed the restrictions discouraged participation. In Nyanya and Gwagwalada, security patrols and armed personnel maintained a visible presence around voting centers, keeping the atmosphere tense in the early hours of the exercise.

Despite the disruptions, no major incidents of violence have been reported so far.