By Ayomide Otitoju
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has deployed operatives across the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory to monitor Saturday’s council elections.
EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, disclosed this in a statement as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted the polls in the nation’s capital.
Oyewale said the deployment is aimed at safeguarding electoral integrity and preventing vote-buying and other forms of malpractice. He added that the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, has directed officers to maintain strict surveillance across all area councils to ensure transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
According to him, operatives have been stationed across the FCT to monitor activities and deter electoral offences.
Residents of the territory turned out early to elect their area council chairmen and councillors, with voters assembling at designated polling units to cast their ballots.
Security agencies, including the police, were deployed to maintain order, while movement restrictions were imposed to facilitate a smooth exercise.
INEC said over 1.5 million registered voters had collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the election.
Unlike the 36 states where local government elections are conducted by state electoral commissions under the supervision of governors, the FCT council polls are administered directly by INEC, as the territory is overseen by a minister appointed by the President.
