The Independent National Electoral Commission has clarified that results for the February 21, 2026, Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections will not be transmitted in real time, describing reports suggesting otherwise as inaccurate.
In a statement on Wednesday, INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, said the commission’s chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, was misquoted by some media outlets after he visited polling preparation centres in Kuje, Gwagwalada and Bwari Area Councils.
He said, “We wish to clarify that at no point during his engagement with the press did the chairman use the phrase ‘real-time.’ Such a description is a misrepresentation of his technical explanation of the Commission’s processes.”
The commission explained that while its electronic system, BVAS, is capable of uploading and transmitting results, the process occurs after voting, counting, and signing of results by party agents at polling units, not simultaneously as votes are cast.
Oketola explained that the chairman had only reiterated the commission’s existing protocol for electronic result transmission, which has been in operation since 2022.
He stated, “Since 2022, INEC has been transmitting results. We have BVAS, and BVAS is capable of accrediting and also uploading and transmitting the results. So definitely, the results will be transmitted.”
The statement noted that while the commission remains committed to electronically uploading scanned polling unit results, known as Form EC8A, to the INEC Result Viewing Portal, the upload takes place only after voting, counting and manual signing of results by party agents at polling units.
According to the statement, describing the process as “real-time” is inaccurate because it suggests a live feed of votes as they are cast, which is not provided for under the legal and regulatory framework guiding elections.
Oketola urged journalists to exercise caution when reporting technical details, warning that misrepresentation could cause public confusion.
“Given the sensitive nature of election technology in our current national discourse, we urge our partners in the media to be meticulous in their reportage. Misquoting the chairman on technical procedures can lead to unnecessary public agitation and misinformation,” Oketola said.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to transparent, technology-driven elections in the FCT and called on media organisations to support professional coverage of the process.
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