A coalition of over 70 civil society organisations (CSOs) advocating for credible elections in Nigeria has called for the real-time upload of results from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026.

The group also identified locations it described as hotspots it said could threaten voter safety and the integrity of election ballots.

The FCT Area Council elections involve electing chairmen and councillors in the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is responsible for organising the polls and deploying equipment such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for accreditation and result transmission.

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, which represents the coalition of CSOs, issued a preliminary statement on Friday ahead of polling day. The group said its concerns follow strategic meetings on election preparedness.

In its statement, the coalition said it identified specific hotspots within the FCT where it said there are risks to voter safety and the integrity of the ballot.

According to the CSOs, these areas include Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and Gwagwalada.

The Situation Room also called on INEC to demonstrate transparency by ensuring that Form EC8A results are uploaded in real time to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.

It said this demand relates to its view on result transparency following past elections with low turnout and delayed uploads.

The coalition said the BVAS machines must function optimally to prevent delays similar to those experienced in previous local polls.

It also reminded eligible voters that vote trading is illegal and said voters must resist exchanging votes for inducements.

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room said, “Situation Room remains mindful of the persistent and historical challenge of voter apathy, in the FCT, particularly in urban councils like the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).”

It also said, “We also note the announcement of the FCT Minister declaring a work-free day in the FCT today, Friday, 20th February 2026, with approval of the President, as well as the restriction of movement from 8 pm on Friday, 20th February 2026 to 6 pm on Saturday, 21st February 2026.”

The call by CSOs for real-time result uploads and the identification of potential electoral hotspots contribute to ongoing national discourse on electoral transparency and integrity.

The FCT Area Council elections will test components of the newly signed Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment), which includes provisions related to election technology and result transmission.

The outcome of these elections and the processes followed may influence public confidence in electoral administration as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections