The Independent National Electoral Commission has clarified that the splitting of polling units in the Federal Capital Territory was carried out in February 2022 and not shortly before the recent Area Council elections in Abuja.
The clarification followed widespread concerns and allegations that voters were migrated to new polling units ahead of the February 21, 2026 elections, leading to confusion and complaints from residents who could not locate their voting centres on election day.
In a statement, the electoral body said the development was part of a nationwide initiative to improve voter access and reduce congestion during elections.
According to INEC, the exercise was implemented under its programme known as the Expansion of Voters’ Access to Polling Units.
The commission explained that the reform led to the creation of more than 56,000 additional polling units across Nigeria, increasing the total number from about 119,972 to over 176,000.
It added that about 6.7 million voters were redistributed from congested polling centres to less crowded ones nationwide.
In the Federal Capital Territory specifically, the commission said 411 overcrowded polling units were decongested and about 580,000 voters were redistributed to 1,156 polling units.
INEC stressed that the process did not involve fresh migration of voters in 2026.
It insisted that the split polling units mentioned in recent debates were created in 2022 and had been in place since then.
The commission said the aim was to improve orderliness, reduce overcrowding and enhance the overall voting experience for Nigerians.
For clarity, the commission described split polling units as additional voting points located close to the original units.
According to INEC, the new points are usually only a few metres away and remain within the same premises.
They are supported with additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines to speed up accreditation and voting.
The electoral body explained that the initiative was necessary because many polling units in the country had more than 1,250 registered voters, making it difficult to conduct smooth and timely voting.
INEC said the new arrangement was meant to ease pressure on such centres and reduce delays.
However, the commission admitted that some voters still experienced challenges locating their designated voting points during the recent elections.
It said this was partly due to low awareness and poor preparation by some voters.
To address this, INEC disclosed that it sent text messages and emails to affected voters ahead of the election to remind them of their locations.
The notifications were sent between February 18 and February 21.
The commission also encouraged voters to use its online polling unit locator to confirm their details before elections.
It urged Nigerians to verify their voting centres early and, where possible, visit them before election day.
INEC also expressed concern about voter apathy in the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the commission, turnout improved compared to previous council elections but remained relatively low.
Data released by the commission showed that more than 239,000 voters participated in the 2026 poll, representing about 15 per cent of registered voters.
This was higher than the 9.4 per cent turnout recorded in the 2022 elections.
Despite the clarification, the controversy surrounding the election has continued.
Some civil society organisations and political actors have criticised INEC’s logistics and communication strategies.
They argue that the confusion contributed to voter disenfranchisement and low participation.
Human rights activist and former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, also criticised the electoral body.
He said the poor handling of logistics during the FCT elections raised concerns about the commission’s readiness for future elections.
Odinkalu warned that Nigerians could lose confidence in the electoral process if reforms are not implemented.
He described the challenges observed in the FCT as administrative failures rather than legal issues.
According to him, electoral officials must improve preparation and communication.
The controversy comes at a critical time for Nigeria’s democracy.
The 2023 general elections exposed several operational and technological challenges, including delays in result transmission and logistics.
Observers say the recent FCT elections have revived debates about electoral reform and institutional capacity.
The Federal Capital Territory holds strategic political importance.
It is the only part of Nigeria where INEC conducts local government elections, unlike in states where such elections are handled by state electoral commissions.
The FCT elections are therefore often seen as a test of the commission’s operational readiness.
Analysts say the success or failure of these elections could influence public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Political observers also note that the reforms introduced by INEC, including the use of technology and polling unit expansion, are part of broader efforts to modernise Nigeria’s electoral system.
These reforms gained momentum after the introduction of the BVAS device and electronic voter accreditation.
The commission has repeatedly argued that technology will improve transparency and credibility.
However, experts say communication and voter education remain major challenges.
They warn that even well-designed reforms can fail if voters are not adequately informed.
For many Nigerians, the debate over polling units reflects deeper concerns about the electoral system.
Issues such as trust, transparency and accountability remain central to public discourse.
Stakeholders say INEC must continue to improve engagement with citizens and political actors.
They also emphasise the importance of early preparation and public awareness.
As Nigeria moves closer to the next general elections, electoral reforms are expected to remain a major topic.
The commission has pledged to strengthen its operations and address challenges observed in recent elections.
For now, INEC insists that the splitting of polling units in the Federal Capital Territory was not a last-minute move but a long-planned reform introduced in 2022.
The coming years will determine whether such initiatives can restore confidence and strengthen democracy in Nigeria.