APC, ADC Candidates Tie as FCT Voter Turnout Remains Low

By Juliet Ezeh

In Karu, Abuja, APC and ADC candidates tie in FCT Area Council elections with 12 votes each at Supreme Court Staff Quarters polling unit. Voter turnout remains low as only 32 of 749 registered voters cast ballots.

In a surprising development during Saturday’s Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, the chairmanship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) tied at the Supreme Court Staff Quarters polling unit in Karu, Abuja, highlighting low voter engagement in the area.

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Presiding Officer Martins Sani announced the results around 3:30 p.m., revealing that Christopher Maikalangu of APC and Paul Moses of ADC each received 12 votes. The Peoples Democratic Party candidate garnered 4 votes, the All Progressives Grand Alliance candidate received 2 votes, while the Social Democratic Party and Action Democratic Party candidates each secured 1 vote.

Out of 749 registered voters at the polling unit, only 32 cast their ballots, leaving 717 residents absent. Despite the low participation, Sani confirmed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) functioned smoothly, and all election results were properly signed by party agents before being uploaded to the INEC Results Viewing Portal.

The tie between APC and ADC at this polling unit underscores the impact of low voter turnout on election outcomes, particularly in smaller polling locations. Political analysts note that such results, even in a single unit, can influence party strategies and highlight the need for increased voter engagement in FCT elections.

Observers also pointed out that the smooth operation of BVAS and orderly conduct at the polling unit reflect continued improvements in the electoral process, even amid limited citizen participation.