FCT Voter Registration Devolved to 62 Wards as INEC Ends Online Pre-Registration

By Ameh Gabriel The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that voter registration in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will now be conducted at the ward level, while online pre-registration will be suspended. In a statement issued on Friday, 5th September 2025, the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said the decision aligns with the Commission’s policy of devolving registration ahead of major elections, as was previously done before the Edo, Ondo, and Anambra governorship polls. Until now, Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) was only available at the FCT office and the six Area Council offices. With this new arrangement, physical registration will be extended to all 62 Wards of the Territory, bringing the total number of center to 69. The exercise will run from Monday, 29th September to Wednesday, 8th October 2025. Olumekun explained that online pre-registration in the FCT will be suspended from 15th September 2025, noting that applicants who began the process online must complete their registration in person. “Online pre-registration without physical completion is invalid,” he stressed. He further clarified that registration will end on 8th October 2025, in line with Section 9(6) of the Electoral Act 2022, which requires voter registration to close at least 90 days before an election. The FCT Area Council election is scheduled for 21st February 2026. Voter registration will resume after the elections and continue until August 2026, ahead of the suspension of the nationwide CVR in preparation for the 2027 General Election. The Commission has published the list and addresses of all centers on its website and official platforms. INEC urged eligible residents to take advantage of the opportunity to register, transfer, or update their voter details but warned against double or multiple registrations, which remain punishable under the law. Olumekun appealed to residents of the FCT to “turn out en masse” before the deadline, stressing that participation in the process is key to credible elections.