By Correspondent
Abuja — Widespread voter apathy marred the 2026 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) on Saturday, as many residents stayed away from polling units, leaving electoral officials idle across several locations.
A visit to multiple polling units in Garki and its environs showed either a handful of voters or none at all, hours after voting commenced.
At Polling Unit 110, adjacent Government Secondary School (GSS) Garki, only three voters were present when our reporter visited. The unit also reportedly lacked adequate ink for thumbprinting, forcing the presiding officer to appeal to a police officer on duty to source water to dilute the ink pad for an elderly voter.
The officer reportedly expressed frustration, questioning why the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to provide sufficient materials despite the resources allocated for the election.
Similarly, at Polling Unit 115, Area 10, opposite Garki General Hospital, only three out of 44 expected voters had cast their ballots as of 10:00 a.m., with ad hoc staff seen waiting idly due to the absence of voters. When approached, officials stated they could not compel residents to leave their homes to vote.
At Polling Unit 041, Area 3, Garki, behind Sterling Bank on Tafawa Balewa Way, none of the 10 expected voters had turned up as of 10:05 a.m.
The situation was not different at Polling Unit 12, located in front of the University of Abuja Sustainable Development Centre, Area 3, where only 20 out of 1,900 registered voters had voted as of 10:30 a.m.
An anonymous INEC ad hoc staff member attributed the low turnout to public disillusionment with the electoral process.
“I think people have lost interest in our elections. We are expecting over 1,900 voters, but only about 20 people have voted so far. There is this feeling that winners are already predetermined, so many people just stay away,” the official said.
Observers also noted that several residents were seen loitering around Garki but openly expressed disinterest in participating in the polls when approached.
The development raises fresh concerns over declining civic engagement in local government elections within the FCT, despite repeated calls by stakeholders for increased grassroots participation in governance.
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