Registered voters in the nation’s capital, Abuja filed out to participate in the election of officials into the territory’s six Area Councils.
Area councils where the exercise is taking place are Abaji, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali, and Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC)
For the exercise, statistics from the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC shows that 14 political parties and 472 candidates will be participating.
There are 68 constituencies made up of 6 Area Council Chairmen and 62 Councillors. A total of 14 out of 18 political parties nominated 110 candidates for Chairmanship/Deputy Chairmanship positions and 362 candidates for Councillorships.
INEC has deployed 2,822 the Biometric Voters Accreditation System BVAS and 12,000 adhoc staff for the exercise.
There are 1,373,492 registered voters expected to participate in the elections for Chairmen and Councillors, in 2,229 polling units.
There are 593 polling units in the FCT without registered voters, while 1,328 polling units in the territory have a maximum of 50 voters, while 546 others have more than 1,000 registered voters.
Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, the FCT Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC has announced the deployment of 3000 personnel to augment security arrangements before, during and after the polls.
FCT Commandant of the Corps, Dr. Peter Maigari, while ordering the deployment, stressed that keen attention will be given to the election as Abuja is the seat of power.
The 363 contestants are vying for the 62 councillorship positions in the six area councils.
RN
