The Independent National Electoral Commission has clarified that results from the February 21, 2026, Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections will not be transmitted in real time, countering widespread reports suggesting otherwise.
INEC made the clarification in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, following media reports that quoted the commission’s chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, as promising real-time transmission of results.
According to the commission, the chairman was misquoted after his inspection visit to polling preparation centres in Kuje, Gwagwalada, and Bwari Area Councils.
Oketola stated that at no point during the engagement with journalists did the chairman use the phrase “real-time,” explaining that the reports misrepresented his technical explanation of the electoral process.
INEC explained that while its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System is capable of uploading and transmitting results electronically, this only happens after voting, counting, and manual signing of results by party agents at the polling units.
The commission stressed that the process does not involve live transmission of votes as they are being cast, noting that such a method is not supported by Nigeria’s electoral laws and regulations.
Oketola added that electronic transmission of results has been part of INEC’s operational framework since 2022, with scanned copies of polling unit result forms, known as EC8A, uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing Portal after the conclusion of voting procedures.
He warned that misreporting technical electoral processes could mislead the public and generate unnecessary tension.
The commission urged media organisations to exercise caution and professionalism in their reporting, especially on sensitive electoral matters, to avoid spreading misinformation.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to conducting transparent, credible, and technology-driven elections in the FCT, assuring voters that all processes will strictly follow established legal and operational guidelines.
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