By Moses Njoku
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has the online pre-registration option in the FCT with effect from Monday, September 15, to enable all pre-registrants to complete their registration at the designated physical (in-person) centres.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun made this known in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, saying the exercise would start on September 29 and end on October 8, in line with provision of Section 9(6) of the Electoral Act 2022.
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.
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.