By OLONIRUHA EMMANUEL

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the devolution of the ongoing voter registration to Ward level in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, in a statement issued In Abuja on Saturday, said the exercise would start on Sept. 29 and end on Oct. 8.

Olumekun said the decision was in line with INEC policy as the commission approached major off-cycle area council elections in the territory.

He recalled that similar thing was done ahead of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections in 2024, and more recently in Anambra for the forthcoming governorship election in Nov. 8.

“Accordingly, the physical (in-person) registration currently taking place in the FCT office and the six Area Council offices of the Commission has been extended to all the 62 Wards, making a total of 69 centres.

“The devolved registration will commence on Monday, 29th September, and end on Wednesday, 8th October, 2025.

“Consequently, the online pre-registration option in the FCT will be suspended on Monday, Sept. 15, to enable all pre-registrants to complete their registration at the designated physical (in-person) centres without which the online option alone is invalid,’’ he said.

Olumekun added that voter registration in the FCT would be suspended on Oct. 8 in line with provision of Section 9(6) of the Electoral Act 2022.

The provision requires the Commission to end the process not later than 90 days before the date fixed for elections.

The FCT Area Council election is scheduled to hold on Saturday, Feb. 21 2026.

Olumekun said that the online and in-person registration would resume after the election and continue until August 2026 when the nationwide CVR would also be suspended ahead of the 2027 general election as earlier announced by the Commission.

He appealed to all eligible citizens who were not registered, to seize the opportunity of the devolution of the exercise to Ward level in the FCT to register.

“Citizens who are registered voters elsewhere in the country may also transfer their registration to the FCT.

“Similarly, those who are already registered voters may transfer their registration to other parts of the FCT of their preference.

“However, no person should register more than once as double or multiple registration is a punishable offence under the law,’’ he said.

Olumekun urged the public to note the dates and locations of the devolved CVR and turnout enmasse to register ahead of the deadline.

He noted that the list and addresses of the centres had been uploaded to our website and other official platforms for public information. (NAN)

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